The Matchmaker - The Arrax Saga Book 1 Chapter 204

A few days had passed since the lake. The air had shifted. Saphira stood near the edge of the training field, arms crossed, watching the wind stir the leaves. Her thoughts had been circling all morning, heavy with questions she hadn’t voiced.

Nikolas approached from behind, boots crunching softly against the gravel. She felt him before she saw him, the steady pulse of his bond brushing against hers as he got closer.

“It’s ready,” he said, voice low.

Saphira turned, brows lifting. “What’s ready?”

Nikolas smiled, slipping his hands into his pockets. “The accommodation for Ruby. It took longer than expected, but it’s done.”

“Oh.” She said before hesitating, her fingers tightening around her arm. “Did we do the right thing? She doesn’t deserve any luxuries. Not after what she did.”

Nikolas’ smile turned into a smirk. “She’s not getting luxury.”

Saphira blinked. “What do you mean?”

He stepped closer, his voice calm but firm. “I realized we needed something better. Not just for Ruby, for anyone we ever need to hold. Cells aren’t always the answer. So we repurposed the old outbuildings on the west side. There were three and we have rebuilt them. Added plumbing, basic cooking appliances. Nothing fancy.”

Saphira’s eyes widened. “You built a compound?”

“Sort of,” he said. “We walled it in. Security access only. And I had the witches cast a containment spell around the perimeter. No shifting. No magic. Once inside, they’re fully bound.”

She exhaled slowly, the tension in her shoulders easing. “That’s… actually amazing. I bet Finn will feel better about that.”

Nikolas nodded. “Finn actually already does. He helped with the rebuilds.”

Saphira’s gaze softened. “He did?”

“He did,” Nikolas said. “He’s already signed it off.”

Saphira stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him, her cheek resting briefly against his shoulder. “Thank you. For thinking it through and coming up with the perfect solution.”

Nikolas held her close, his hand brushing the back of her neck. “Let’s go move her in then.”

They walked side by side toward the cells, the path winding through the trees. The silence between them was pleasant.

Nikolas glanced at her. “What do you want to do about Lupus?”

Saphira’s jaw tightened. “I don’t know,” she said, eyes fixed ahead. “What about Damon?” Deflecting the question.

Nikolas gave her a look but let it go. “He’s been taken care of. Removed from the pack. Banished. And bound.”

Saphira stopped walking. “Permanently?”

Nikolas met her gaze. “Yes, he’s human now.”

“Oh,” she said quietly. Her mind spun, stripping someone of their counterpart, of their identity, wasn’t a light decision. But Damon had crossed every line.

She resumed walking, slower now. *Could I do that to Lupus?* The thought settled in her chest.

Nikolas didn’t push. He just walked beside her, as the cells came into view, Saphira knew the choice would be hers.

The cell door creaked open.

Ruby stood with her arms crossed, leaning against the wall like she’d been wronged for waiting. Her eyes flicked to Saphira and Nikolas, then to the warrior stationed beside them, young, broad-shouldered, already wearing the crest of the security rotation.

“Well,” Ruby said, voice syrupy and smug, “about time you rehome me. I’ve been waiting for ages.”

Saphira’s jaw clenched. “You’re lucky to be getting anything at all.”

Ruby blinked, lips parting slightly, but she didn’t speak again.

Nikolas gestured to the warrior. “Let’s go.”

They walked in silence, Ruby trailing behind with a faint huff of irritation. Saphira kept her eyes forward, her fingers twitching at her sides. She could feel Ruby’s presence like static.

When they reached the west compound, Ruby stopped short.

The wall loomed ahead, tall, reinforced, etched with containment runes. Beyond it, the three renovated outbuildings stood in a triangle, modest but functional. The gate shimmered with spell work.

Ruby’s eyes narrowed. “This is a prison.”

“It’s a secure compound,” Nikolas said evenly.

“This wasn’t what I agreed to,” Ruby snapped, her voice rising. “You said I’d be rehomed with comfort, not locked up like this.”

Saphira stepped forward, her voice tight. “You...”

Nikolas stepped forward, stepping in front of her. His voice dropped, sharp and cold. “The information you gave doesn’t erase murder, conspiracy, and outright being an evil person. You can live here until we decide otherwise, or we send you to the Matchmaker. Like you sent Saphira.”

Ruby’s mouth opened, then closed. She huffed, muttered something under her breath, and walked through the gate.

Nikolas followed, his tone clipped. “You won’t be able to shift while you’re here. The witches sealed the perimeter, so don’t go trying anything.”

Ruby turned, eyes flashing. “That’s cruel.”

Nikolas didn’t flinch. “No. What’s cruel is killing your brother, blaming it on your sister, and feeling on top of the world about it.”

Saphira felt it then, like a wave rolling off him. A powerful aura, thick and ancient, pressing against the air. Her breath caught.

Ruby’s expression faltered. She straightened, chin lifted. “I never killed him… In the end.”

Nikolas said nothing.

But the aura surged, tenfold. The air shimmered around him. Ruby took a step back, visibly shaken.

She turned without another word and walked to one of the houses, slamming the door behind her.

Nikolas turned to the warrior. “Make sure she’s settled. No issues.”

The warrior nodded. “Understood.” He closed the gate, the runes sealing with a soft hum.

Saphira exhaled, finally letting her shoulders drop. She turned to Nikolas, eyes wide. “I’ve never been more attracted to you than I am right now.”

Nikolas blinked. “Really?”

“That aura you let off, it was incredible. I felt it. Like something ancient. It must be another side effect of this new power.”

He smirked, stepping closer. “So it makes you more attracted to me?”

She grabbed his collar and pulled him in for a kiss. “Yes.”

He kissed her back, deep and slow, then scooped her into his arms. His skin shimmered, wings unfurling from his back in a rush of silver light.

“Hold on,” he said, grinning.

They lifted into the air, wind curling around them as he flew them back to the pack house. Saphira clung to him, laughing breathlessly.

When they landed, she stumbled slightly, eyes wide. “How the hell did you just do that?”

Nikolas shrugged, smug. “Must be another of my new abilities.”

Saphira stared at him, heart pounding. *And I’m falling for every single one.*