The Matchmaker - The Arrax Saga Book 1 Chapter 183

“I heard from the Cinderwood Pack. They’re a mixed pack, like us.” His gaze stayed fixed ahead, his jaw taut. “They were attacked. I’ve offered to visit, to support them.”

Saphira’s head snapped toward him, her chest tightening. “Attacked? By who?”

“They didn’t say,” Nikolas replied, his jaw tightening further, the muscle there ticking. “But it has the Elders’ fingerprints all over it. I need to go.” He hesitated, his hand brushing against hers briefly, almost unconsciously. “But I don’t want you to.”

Her steps faltered, her breath catching. “What do you mean, you don’t want me to? Nikolas, if you’re going, I’m going. I won’t sit here while you walk into potential danger.”

He turned his head then, his eyes softening even as his voice remained firm. “Saphira...”

“No,” she cut in, folding her arms across her chest, her voice sharp with conviction. “We’re stronger together. You know that. Don’t ask me to stay behind. I want to help.”

For a moment, he simply studied her, his gaze searching her face. The firelight from the distant windows caught in his eyes, turning them molten. Then he exhaled, the tension in his shoulders easing, a small smile tugging at his lips. “I should’ve known you’d say that.”

“Then don’t argue,” she said, though her voice gentled, her arms lowering.

He stopped walking, turning fully toward her. The night air wrapped around them, cool and still. “Alright,” he said quietly. “After training tomorrow, we’ll go together.”

Relief loosened the knot in her chest. She reached for his hand, squeezing it. “Good.”

Nikolas didn’t let go. Instead, he tugged her closer, his other hand brushing a strand of hair from her cheek. His thumb lingered there, tracing lightly along her skin. “You drive me mad sometimes,” he murmured, his voice roughened with affection. “But I wouldn’t have you any other way.”

Her breath caught, her heart thudding against her ribs. She leaned into his touch, her voice softer now. “And I wouldn’t let you face this alone. Not ever.”

For a heartbeat, the world seemed to still, the rustle of the trees, the distant hum of the pack house fading until there was only him. Nikolas bent his head, pressing a lingering kiss to her forehead, his lips warm against her skin.

“Together, then,” he whispered.

Saphira closed her eyes briefly, letting the moment anchor her. *Together. Always.*

Hand in hand, they turned back toward the pack house, the glow of its windows beckoning them home.

By the time they reached the pack’s dining room, the hum of voices and the clatter of dishes spilled into the corridor. The moment Saphira stepped inside, the warmth of the hall wrapped around her. The long table was already crowded, Finn, Amara, Raven, Jasper, Talia, and Sam gathered with plates of food, laughter and conversation weaving through the air like threads of comfort.

“About time,” Finn teased as they entered, raising his glass with a grin.

Saphira smiled faintly, the tension of the day easing from her shoulders as she and Nikolas took their seats. The firelight flickered across the table, catching in the gleam of silverware and the easy smiles of her packmates.

“How’s training going?” Nikolas asked, his tone lighter now, his arm brushing against Saphira’s as he leaned forward.

Finn leaned in, his grin wide, eyes bright with pride. “Brilliantly. The wolves are sharper than I expected. A lot of them have real potential, fast learners, strong instincts.”

Jasper gave a short nod, his dark eyes gleaming with satisfaction. “Same with the vampires. They’re adapting quickly, even to the new drills. Some of the younger ones are showing surprising control.”

Raven smirked, swirling her drink lazily, though her eyes glinted with approval. “And the witches are moving into more advanced magic. We’ve even started practicing healing spells. Not perfect yet, but it’s progress.”

Saphira felt a flicker of pride at the reports, her chest warming. *This is what we’re building. Not just survival, strength, unity.* She turned to Amara, who sat between Finn and Talia, her hand resting absently on her stomach.

“And you?” Saphira asked gently, her voice softening. “How’s the pregnancy going?”

Amara’s face lit with a warm smile, her eyes soft. “Good. Tiring, but good. The healers say everything is as it should be.”

“That’s wonderful,” Saphira said, her own smile tugging at her lips. “Have you thought about names yet?”

Amara chuckled, exchanging a glance with Finn. “Too many. We can’t agree on half of them. He wants strong, traditional names. I want something softer, something with meaning.”

Finn grinned sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck. “I just don’t want the poor kid saddled with something they’ll hate.”

The table erupted in laughter, the tension of the past days melting into something lighter. Talia leaned forward, offering a few suggestions that made Amara laugh. Jasper threw in a sarcastic one that earned him a playful glare and an eye-roll from Amara. Even Raven cracked a smile, her smirk softening into something genuine.

Saphira leaned back slightly, her fingers brushing the rim of her glass as she let the warmth of the moment wash over her. *It’s been too long since we’ve had a night like this. No battles. No strategies. Just… us.* For a little while, the weight on her chest lifted, replaced by the simple comfort of family.

As the meal wound down, Amara stifled a yawn, her hand covering her mouth. Finn noticed immediately, his arm sliding around her shoulders. “That’s our cue,” he said with a grin. “I need to get my mate and baby to bed.”

There were murmurs of goodnight, warm smiles exchanged as chairs scraped back, and the group began to disperse.

Saphira leaned closer to Nikolas, her lips brushing near his ear as she whispered, teasingly, “We should head up too. I need to release some tension.”

Nikolas’s eyes flicked to hers, the corner of his mouth curving into a slow, knowing smile. His hand brushed against the small of her back as they rose.

“Then let’s not keep you waiting,” he murmured, his voice low enough for only her to hear.

Together, they said their goodnights to the others and slipped out of the hall, the warmth of laughter and firelight following them into the quiet corridors of the pack house.