The Matchmaker - The Arrax Saga Book 1 Chapter 241

The night was still, the lake shimmering under the stars. Nikolas and Saphira lay together on the soft grass, the sound of water lapping gently against the shore. But as the hours passed, something shifted.

Saphira stirred first, her eyes opening to a strange glow that seemed to ripple across the air. The atmosphere had changed, thicker, as though the veil between worlds had thinned. She sat up, her breath catching. “Nikolas… do you feel that?”

He woke instantly, his instincts sharp.

Then, by the lake’s edge, two figures began to take shape, light bending, shadows dissolving until Anastasia and Selene stood before them.

Nikolas froze. “Mother…” His voice broke, raw with emotion.

Saphira’s hand flew to her mouth, tears welling as she whispered, “Mum…”

Selene’s smile was warm, her eyes shining with pride. “My son… look at you. Look at what you are building.”

Anastasia’s gaze softened as she reached toward Saphira. “And you, my daughter. We are so proud. The world is shifting, and so is the afterlife. You are creating something new, something safe, for the next generation.”

Nikolas swallowed hard, his voice trembling. “I thought I’d never see you again.”

Selene’s expression was tender. “We cannot stay long. But we had to come. To tell you that though challenges will rise, you are shaping a world where children will grow without fear.”

Anastasia’s eyes glinted with mischief as she added, “And both of our grandchildren will be a force to reckon with.”

Nikolas blinked, startled. “Grandchildren? Both?” He glanced at Saphira, confusion sparking. “Wait, Zafira… is she pregnant with twins?”

Both Selene and Anastasia laughed, the sound like bells in the night. “No,” Selene said gently. “She is pregnant, but only with one child. One of our grandchildren.”

Nikolas frowned, bewildered. “Then… what do you mean?”

Saphira’s breath caught, her hand pressing against her chest as realization dawned. She turned to Nikolas, her eyes wide, shimmering with tears. “Nikolas… it’s us. It’s our bond. I’m pregnant.”

For a heartbeat, silence held. Then Vaelora’s voice echoed faintly in Saphira’s mind, laughter rich and knowing. *‘Finally.’*

Nikolas’s eyes filled, his hand trembling as he reached for Saphira. “You… you’re carrying our child?”

Saphira nodded, her smile breaking through tears. “Yes. It seems I am.”

He pulled her close, his forehead resting against hers, his voice breaking with joy. “I can’t believe it. After everything… this is our future.”

Selene’s tone grew solemn, though her smile remained. “But be careful. The child born of your bond will be extremely powerful. Some will see the baby as hope. Others… as opportunity. And that will bring danger.”

Anastasia’s gaze lingered on Nikolas, her voice firm. “Protect your family. Protect each other. That is how you will endure.”

Nikolas and Saphira nodded, their hearts heavy but resolute. “We understand,” Saphira whispered. “Thank you.”

The glow around Anastasia and Selene began to fade, their forms dissolving back into the night. Selene’s final words lingered like a blessing. “We love you. And we are always with you.”

As the lake returned to silence, Nikolas and Saphira held each other tightly, the enormity of the revelation pressing close. Tears and laughter mingled as they whispered promises beneath the stars.

For the first time, the prophecy felt personal, not just about the world, but about their child. Their future.

The dawn broke soft and golden over the lake, mist curling across the water. Nikolas and Saphira walked back toward the pack house, their hands entwined, the weight of the night’s revelation still pressing close. Neither spoke much, but their silence was full, of wonder, of fear, of joy.

When they reached the dining hall, Zafira and Asher were already there, speaking quietly near the hearth. Zafira’s eyes lifted as Nikolas and Saphira entered, and something in her expression, calm, knowing, made Saphira pause.

Nikolas exchanged a glance with Saphira, then stepped forward. His voice carried a strange gravity. “Zafira. Asher. Do you have anything you want to tell us?”

Asher blinked, confused. “Tell you? About what?” His brow furrowed, clearly lost.

But Zafira’s lips curved into a faint smile, her hand instinctively brushing against her stomach. “You already know, don’t you?” she said softly.

Saphira’s eyes warmed, her voice gentle. “Yes. We know.”

Asher turned sharply to Zafira, his confusion deepening. “Know what?”

Zafira took his hand, guiding it to rest against her belly. Her voice trembled with both pride and vulnerability. “I’m pregnant. We’re pregnant.”

Asher froze, his eyes widening, his breath catching. “Pregnant? You… you’re serious?”

Zafira nodded, her smile breaking through tears. “Yes. We’re going to have a child.” Zafira then froze and looked at Nikolas. “Wait, how did you know?”

Nikolas’s jaw tightened, emotion flickering across his face. “We knew because last night… we were visited. By Anastasia and our mum.”

Saphira stepped closer, her voice soft but filled with awe. “They told us the world is shifting, and so is the afterlife. They said both of their grandchildren will be a force to reckon with. At first, we thought they meant twins. But then… we understood. One child is yours, Zafira. And one is ours.”

Zafira’s eyes widened, her hand flying to her mouth. “You… you’re pregnant too?”

Saphira nodded, tears shimmering. “Yes. It’s true.”

For a moment, silence held, heavy with wonder. Then Zafira laughed through her tears, pulling Saphira into a tight embrace. “We’re going to raise them together. Our children… side by side.”

Asher’s shock melted into joy, his arms wrapping around Zafira protectively. “I don’t care what challenges come. We’ll protect them. Both of them.”

Nikolas’s voice was low, fierce with conviction. “We must. Mum and Anastasia warned us, that some will see these children as hope. Others will see it as opportunity. Danger will likely follow down the line.”

Saphira’s hand tightened around his, her voice steady. “And we will face it together. As family. As a pack.”

The four of them stood close, the light flickering across their faces, the enormity of the moment settling in. For the first time, the prophecy was no longer abstract, it was alive, breathing, growing within them.