The Matchmaker - The Arrax Saga Book 1 Chapter 153

Jasper leaned forward, elbows braced on his knees, his voice firm. “We can’t risk losing manpower chasing the elders. If they arrive with Silvermoon, we need to be ready. That means the strongest of each species, wolves, vampires, witches, dragons, focused on them. Everyone else handles the Silvermoon pack.”

Saphira nodded slowly, arms folded across her chest, her gaze steady. *He’s right. We can’t stretch thin. Not now. Not when the storm’s already rolling in.*

Nikolas tapped his fingers against the armrest, the rhythm sharp and thoughtful. Then he straightened, his voice shifting into command. “I’ll have the healers ready for casualties. We’ll set up a triage section in the dining hall, one half for medical treatment, the other for food and drink. We’ll need it running before the first blow lands.”

Amara sat up straighter, her hand instinctively resting over her stomach. Her eyes sparked with determination. “I’ll get that set up. I need to help somehow.”

Saphira’s lips curved into a soft smile, warmth flickering through the tension. “It’s a good idea. Thank you, Amara.”

Nikolas turned to the others, his tone crisp. “Finn, I want you to lead and prepare the wolves. Jasper, the vampires. Raven, the witches. When it comes to fighting, we’ll be the main force against the elders, if they arrive. If not, we join the rest against Silvermoon.”

Each nodded in turn, the weight of responsibility settling over them. Saphira could see it in their eyes, the shift from uncertainty to readiness.

Jed leaned forward, his voice sharp. “We need to capture a few of Silvermoon’s higher members. If we can interrogate them, we might learn what the elders are planning next with the Matchmaker.”

Saphira’s gaze flicked to him, her mind already calculating. *Information is power. And right now, we’re blind. We need leverage.*

A quiet murmur of agreement passed through the room.

Nikolas scanned the circle. “Any questions?”

Zafira shifted in her seat, her fingers curling around the edge of the cushion. She raised her hand slightly, voice steady. “I need help.”

Nikolas leaned forward. “With what?”

“To shift,” she said. “I’m strongest in my dragon form. I’m ready to try.”

Anastasia sat up beside her, her posture regal, her gaze unwavering. “Me too.”

Saphira’s breath caught. She looked between them, her voice gentle but firm. “Are you sure? You can help in other ways.”

Anastasia met her gaze, calm and resolute. “We’re strongest in our dragon forms. It’s time.”

Saphira nodded slowly, her chest tightening with quiet pride. *They’ve made their choice. And they’re right.*

“What do you need?” she asked.

Zafira glanced at Anastasia, then back to Saphira. “Someone there to help calm our dragons if things go wrong.”

Anastasia nodded. “Same.”

Asher leaned forward, arms crossed on top of the table, his voice measured. “It should be Saphira and Nikolas. I’ll be there too. Zafira will have her brother and mate. Anastasia, her children. That should be enough.”

Nikolas nodded. “We’ll do it as soon as we’re done here. No delays.”

He looked around once more, his gaze sweeping the room. “Any other questions?”

Everyone shook their heads.

“Then we start preparing now,” Nikolas said. “I’ll visit each group once we’ve helped Zafira and Anastasia.”

A chorus of agreement followed, and one by one, the others rose and left the room, their footsteps purposeful, their expressions set with quiet resolve.

Only Nikolas, Saphira, Asher, Zafira, and Anastasia remained.

Saphira stood, her voice quiet but resolute. “Let’s go.”

They moved together, stepping out of the office and into the corridor, the air around them charged with anticipation.

The clearing opened before them, bathed in late afternoon light. Saphira stepped into the open space, her boots brushing the earth, her heart steady but alert.

Nikolas turned to the group, his voice calm but commanding. “We’ll go one at a time. No rush. No pressure.”

Zafira stepped forward without hesitation. “I’ll go first.”

Anastasia moved closer to Saphira, her fingers brushing against hers before gently taking her hand. Saphira glanced sideways and immediately felt it, the tremor in Anastasia’s grip. *She’s nervous. More than she’s letting on.*

Saphira squeezed her hand, offering a warm smile. “You’ve got this,” she whispered.

Nikolas stepped toward Zafira. “I’ll shift with you. If needed, Asher will join. But we don’t want to overwhelm your dragon.”

Zafira nodded, her jaw set. “I’m ready.”

Nikolas shifted first, his form expanding in a shimmer of black scales and wings. Zafira followed, slower, her body trembling slightly, her breath uneven. Saphira watched the struggle play out across her face: clenched jaw, furrowed brow, eyes flickering with doubt.

Then, slowly, Zafira’s expression softened. Her shoulders dropped. And with a final exhale, she shifted.

But almost immediately, Zafira’s dragon began to act out, wings flaring, tail lashing, a low growl rumbling through the clearing. Nikolas moved closer, his dragon posture calm, emitting a steady hum of reassurance.

Saphira watched, heart tight. *She’s overwhelmed. Her dragon’s panicking.*

Nikolas glanced at Asher and gave a subtle nod. Asher shifted, joining Nikolas in a slow, circling motion around Zafira. Together, they worked to calm her with low sounds, gentle movements, no sudden gestures.

It took time, but Saphira saw the moment it changed. Zafira’s dragon stilled. Her wings folded. Her eyes cleared. *She’s back. She’s in control.*

They shifted back together, the air shimmering around them. Zafira dropped to one knee, breath ragged, sweat glistening on her brow.

Saphira rushed forward. “Are you okay?”

Zafira nodded, her voice hoarse but proud. “Took a while… but I managed. I have an understanding with her again.”

Saphira smiled and pulled her into a hug, holding her close.

Asher turned to Anastasia. “Are you ready?”

Anastasia straightened, her chin lifted. “Yes.”

Nikolas and Zafira stepped aside, giving space. Nikolas looked at Saphira, his voice low. “Trust Vaelora. She’ll know what to do.”

Saphira nodded and stepped forward, releasing her shift in a smooth, practiced motion. Vaelora rose with grace, her wings catching the light, her presence calm and radiant.

She waited.

Anastasia took a deep breath and began to shift. Her dragon form emerged slowly, but once fully formed, she thrashed, her wings beating hard, tail whipping, a distressed roar echoing through the clearing.

Saphira reached inward. *‘Vaelora, help her. Please.’*

Vaelora responded instantly, her body glowing faintly as she moved toward Anastasia’s dragon. Saphira felt it, the warmth, the steady pulse of comfort radiating from her dragon to her mother’s. It was like sunlight breaking through storm clouds.

Then, clear as day, Saphira heard it.

*“Thank you, Vaelora.”*

Saphira’s breath caught. *She spoke. She heard her.*

She reached back through the bond. *“Mum?”*

Anastasia’s dragon turned, eyes wide with shock. *“Saphira?”*

Saphira stepped closer, her voice soft. *“Let’s shift back.”*

They did, the magic folding around them like silk. Once human again, Anastasia turned to her, eyes still wide. “How were you able to speak to me?”

Saphira shrugged, a half-smile tugging at her lips. “A few weird things have been happening lately.”

Nikolas stepped beside them, his brow raised. “You can communicate in dragon form?”

Saphira nodded slowly, her gaze drifting to the clearing where the air still shimmered with magic. *Something’s changing.*