The Matchmaker - The Arrax Saga Book 1 Chapter 32

Saphira wasn’t sure what she was looking for, but she knew something had to be here, a hint, a clue that Nikolas had been in this place. She refused to believe he had simply vanished without leaving anything behind.

She crouched, fingers grazing the broken twigs and disturbed earth, scanning every inch of the ground for signs that had been overlooked. A footprint, a stray scent marker, anything that might tell her where he had gone.

Beside her, Raven watched quietly, allowing her space to work through her thoughts. The silence wasn’t oppressive, it was patient, expectant.

Saphira inhaled deeply, pushing aside her frustration. She had to think like him. Nikolas was calculated. Strategic. If he had been here, he wouldn’t have gone without leaving himself a trail to follow.

Her gaze drifted beyond the immediate signs of disturbance, scanning for something less obvious. If he was in danger, he wouldn’t have left an easy clue. It would be subtle. It would be meant for someone who knew him.

Then, something caught her eye, a shift in the pattern of the forest floor, just off the main trail. It wasn’t immediately obvious, but something about the way the leaves were scattered, unnaturally disturbed, felt intentional.

Saphira’s heart kicked up a beat.

Without hesitation, she moved toward it, Raven following closely behind.

If Nikolas had left something behind, she would find it.

As Saphira stepped closer to the disturbed patch of forest floor, something shifted, the air thickened, humming with an energy she hadn’t felt before. A strange pull, subtle yet undeniable, settled against her senses.

She hesitated, eyes scanning the space carefully. And then, just barely, she saw it.

A distortion in the air. A ripple, like heat warping the space before her.

A rift.

Her breath caught as she stepped forward, pulse hammering in her ears. Raven, sensing the shift in her focus, stilled beside her. “What is it?” she asked, voice quieter now, more cautious.

Saphira didn’t answer. Instead, she reached out, fingers grazing the edges of the warped space. The moment she made contact, a faint shimmer pulsed, spreading outward in a soft, glowing wave.

And then the words came.

Not spoken. Not heard. But seen, etched within the magic itself.

A message.

A riddle.

Follow the brightest star. Track like a wolf would.

Saphira’s chest tightened. Was this from Nikolas. Could he do something like this?

Had he really managed to leave this for her.

Her mind raced, pulling apart the meaning. Follow the brightest star, navigation, direction. Track like a wolf, scent, instinct, movement. It was guiding her, telling her exactly how to find him.

But still, uncertainty gnawed at her.

She exhaled slowly trying to think. What if she was reading it wrong? What if following this clue led to nowhere, or worse, into danger?

Her eyes flickered to Raven, resolve wavering. “I—” she hesitated, then shook her head. “I’m not sure yet. I need to think.”

Raven studied her for a moment, then simply nodded. “Alright. Let’s head back.”

Without another word, they turned, leaving the disturbed patch behind. But as they walked, Saphira couldn’t shake the feeling that the message was bigger than just a clue.

It was a warning. And whatever it meant, whatever Nikolas or whatever it was, was trying to tell her, she had to figure it out fast.

Saphira sat alone in the office after parting ways with Raven, the dim evening light casting long shadows across the room. The silence pressed in, heavy, unwavering, amplifying the thoughts twisting through her mind.

The words Nikolas had left behind replayed over and over, looping endlessly in her brain.

Follow the brightest star. Track like a wolf would.

She stared at the message scribbled onto the page before her, fingers tracing the letters idly. The answer was there, it had to be. And yet, she felt like she was reaching through fog, grasping at something that refused to take shape.

Doubt crept in. What if she was misreading this? What if her mind was conjuring meaning where there was none? It was left for her to see it, to understand, but… what if she wasn’t enough?

She clenched her jaw, pushing down the insecurity threatening to pull her under. *No. I just need to stop overthinking.*

Her gaze drifted upward, landing on the faint glow of the evening sky through the office window. She frowned slightly, the tension in her chest shifting, loosening. Brightest star.

She had assumed it was directional, a way to guide her, but the brightest star… it only appeared at night.

The realisation hit her like a spark catching fire.

It only made sense at night.

Her pulse quickened as she pulled apart the second piece of the puzzle. Track like a wolf. Werewolves were strongest in the dark. Their instincts sharpened, their senses heightened. They were meant to hunt in the night.

She inhaled sharply, the final piece locking into place.

It wasn’t just leaving her a clue, it was telling her when she needed to search.

Tonight.

If she had gone back during the day, she would’ve missed it entirely. But under the cover of darkness, with nothing but the stars above… she might have a chance.

Determination solidified in her chest.

She grabbed her things, rising to her feet with renewed urgency.

Tonight, she would follow the brightest star. Tonight, she would track like a wolf.

*And tonight, I will find Nikolas.*