The Matchmaker - The Arrax Saga Book 1 Chapter 186

They reached their room, a spacious guest suite with a carved bed, fresh linens, and a view of the forest. Saphira stepped inside, scanning the corners instinctively.

Nikolas closed the door behind them and turned to her. *“Mind-link only for our private conversations about this place,”* he said. *“Just in case this place is bugged.”*

Saphira nodded. *“Agreed.”*

She moved to the window; Nikolas came up behind her. *Whatever this is,* she thought, *we’re walking into it together.*

An hour later, a soft knock came at the guest room door.

Nikolas rose from the armchair near the window, his posture already shifting into something more formal. Saphira stood as well.

*“Ready?”* Nikolas’s voice brushed her mind, steady and low.

*“As I’ll ever be,”* she replied, her mental tone calm, but alert.

Beta Alex waited in the hallway, his expression polite but unreadable. “Alpha James is ready for you now.”

They followed him through the winding halls of the Cinderwood pack house. The deeper they went, the more Saphira noticed the strange contrast. It was pristine. Too pristine. Not a single scuff mark, no signs of a recent attack.

*“This place looks untouched,”* she sent to Nikolas. “*Like nothing ever happened.”*

*“I know,”* he replied. “*Keep your guard up.”*

They were led into a large meeting room with high ceilings and a long oak table. Alpha James stood at the far end, flanked by his Betas. He smiled as they entered, gesturing to the seats across from him.

“Alpha Arrax. Luna Arrax. Thank you again for coming.”

Nikolas inclined his head. “We’re glad to help.”

Saphira took her seat beside him. She studied James as he sat, his movements smooth, confident. No limp. No bruises. His clothes were immaculate, his scent calm.

“We appreciate your hospitality,” Nikolas said. “We understand your pack has been through a lot.”

James nodded solemnly. “Yes. It’s been difficult. We were attacked three nights ago. Came out of nowhere. We lost some good people.”

Saphira’s gaze narrowed slightly. “I’m sorry to hear that. Were you able to identify the attackers?”

James shook his head. “No. They were masked. Fast. Coordinated. We think they were mercenaries, maybe even rogues.”

Saphira exchanged a glance with Nikolas. “*Rogues? That’s convenient.”*

*“Too convenient,”* he agreed.

“And yet,” Nikolas said aloud, his tone even, “your territory shows signs of battle, but your people… don’t.”

James’s smile didn’t falter. “We’ve worked quickly to clean up. We didn’t want to alarm our younger members. The damage was mostly contained to the outer perimeter.”

Saphira folded her hands on the table. “And your warriors? Are they recovering elsewhere?”

James hesitated. “Some are. Others… didn’t make it.”

*‘He’s lying,’* Vaelora whispered from deep within her. ‘*There’s no grief in him. No weight.’*

Saphira’s jaw tightened slightly. ‘*I feel it too.’*

James leaned forward. “We asked you here because we’re considering an alliance. We need stronger ties. Protection. Your pack has a reputation.”

Nikolas didn’t blink. “And what would you offer in return?”

James spread his hands. “Resources. Territory access. We have connections with several neutral packs. We could share those.”

Saphira tilted her head. “And why now? Why not reach out before the attack?”

James’s smile thinned. “Because we didn’t think we needed help. We were wrong.”

The room fell quiet for a beat too long.

Nikolas finally nodded. “We’ll consider your proposal. But we’ll need to see the damage for ourselves. Speak with your warriors. Understand the threat.”

James’s expression flickered. “Of course. I’ll have someone escort you tomorrow.”

Saphira leaned back slightly, her eyes never leaving his. “*He’s hiding something. I can feel it.”*

*“So can I,”* Nikolas replied. “*We’ll play along. For now.”*

James stood. “Dinner will be served shortly. I hope you’ll join us.”

Nikolas rose smoothly. “We will.”

Saphira followed.

“Thought you might like a tour before dinner,” he said, gesturing down the hall. “Get a feel for the place.”

Nikolas glanced at Saphira, then nodded. “We’d appreciate that.”

Saphira gave a polite smile. *Let’s see what they’re really hiding,* she thought.

James led them through the wide corridors, his voice smooth as he pointed out amenities. Everything was polished, well-kept, and oddly serene. Pack members passed them with nods and smiles, chatting softly. No one looked injured. No one looked shaken.

Saphira’s gaze swept over each face, noticing there were fewer people than she expected. The halls weren’t bustling. The training hall had only a handful of warriors. James’s story had some merit, unless the rest were hiding.

Vaelora stirred inside her, a flicker of heat curling in Saphira’s chest.

*‘I thought this was a mixed pack,’* Vaelora murmured.

*‘It is,’* Saphira replied. ‘*Or… it’s supposed to be.’*

Vaelora’s voice sharpened. ‘*They’re all wolves. Every scent. Every face. No vampires. No witches.’*

Saphira’s breath caught. She glanced at Nikolas, then opened the mind-link. “*Nikolas. Vaelora says they’re all wolves. No vampires or witches.”*

Nikolas’s eyes narrowed slightly as he scanned the hallway. His voice brushed her mind, low and grim. “*She’s right. I don’t smell anything but wolf. Not even a trace of witch magic. This isn’t a mixed pack.”*

James continued talking, oblivious to the silent exchange. “We’ve had this place for generations. Built it ourselves. We’re proud of what we’ve kept intact.”

Saphira nodded, her expression neutral. “*Kept intact… or kept hidden?”*

Nikolas’s hand brushed hers briefly as they walked, a subtle gesture. “*We stay polite. But we dig deeper.”*

The tour continued through the heart of the Cinderwood pack house, Saphira walked beside Nikolas, her steps quiet.

Alpha James led them with ease, gesturing to each space with practiced pride. “This is our strategy room,” he said, pausing at a door carved with the Cinderwood crest. “We use it for war councils, territory planning, and diplomatic meetings.”

Nikolas nodded politely. “Looks well-used.”

James smiled. “We believe in preparation.”

Saphira’s eyes flicked to the table inside, no maps, no scattered notes, no signs of recent urgency.

They moved on. The medical wing was next, gleaming counters, neatly stacked supplies, a healer organising tinctures with calm precision. No patients. No scent of blood or antiseptic. No urgency.

Saphira tilted her head. “How many were injured in the attack?”

James didn’t miss a beat. “A few. Mostly minor wounds. Our healers worked quickly.”

Nikolas’s brow lifted slightly. “And the casualties?”

James’s smile faltered just a fraction. “We lost some. But we’ve already begun to recover.”

Saphira exchanged a glance with Nikolas. “*He’s dodging specifics,”* she sent through the mind-link.

*“He’s rehearsed this,”* Nikolas replied. “*Every answer feels polished.”*

They passed through the communal lounge, James gestured toward the room. “We encourage bonding. A strong pack is a united one.”

Saphira nodded, her expression composed. “It’s impressive. Though I haven’t seen any of your witches or vampires yet.”

James’s smile tightened. “They’re… less visible. Some have chosen to stay in their quarters since the attack.”

Nikolas’s voice was calm. “Understandable. Still, we’d hoped to meet more of your mixed members.”

James gave a short nod. “Perhaps at dinner.”

They continued down a wide corridor lined with portraits of past Alphas. Saphira slowed slightly, studying each face.

*Vaelora was right,* she thought. *This isn’t a mixed pack… at least not anymore.*