The Matchmaker - The Arrax Saga Book 1 Chapter 46

The group moved swiftly through the forest, their pace urgent but careful as they escorted Asher’s mother back to the pack. Saphira kept close to her, supporting her weight as best she could, but she could feel the woman’s exhaustion in every slow, measured step.

Nikolas walked beside them, his expression hard, unreadable. She knew his mind was already ahead, already thinking about Zafira, already calculating the next move, already bracing for whatever awaited them in that hospital room.

When they finally reached the pack’s territory, the tension in the air shifted. No longer the suffocating weight of battle, but something heavier. Something filled with anticipation.

They stepped into the hospital, the sterile scent filling Saphira’s lungs as they entered.

And then they saw her.

Zafira.

Jasper stood beside the bed where she lay, his sharp, watchful gaze flicking toward them as they approached. She looked so small now, her human form frail, her skin pale, her breath shallow.

Saphira felt a pang in her chest, but she forced herself to stay steady.

Nikolas didn’t move for a second. Then he stepped forward, his golden eyes locked on his sister.

“She’s alive,” Jasper murmured, voice low but firm. “Barely. But she’s alive.”

Nikolas exhaled slowly. Saphira could see the tension in his shoulders, the way his hands clenched at his sides.

Asher helped his mother into the second bed, his movements careful, protective. She was weak, too weak, but she was here. She was safe.

The doctor approached, immediately assessing them both. “They need time,” she said. “Rest. Hydration. But they will recover.”

Nikolas let out a sharp breath, like some of the weight had finally cracked.

Saphira reached for his hand, squeezing it tightly.

They had done it. Against the odds. Against everything. They had found them.

Nikolas stood frozen, his gaze locked on Zafira’s fragile form. The relief of finding her alive should have been overwhelming, but instead, all Saphira could see in his eyes was fear.

“I don’t want to leave her again,” he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.

Saphira could see it, the worry in his eyes, the same tightness in Jed’s posture as he stared at their sister. This wasn’t just exhaustion or shock. It was the deep, unshakable fear of losing her again.

The doctor stepped forward, her expression calm but firm. “It’s going to take a few days before she’ll be well enough to wake. There’s nothing you can do here.”

Saphira shifted her focus back to Nikolas. She could see the hesitation in him, the silent battle between staying and forcing himself to walk away.

She reached for his arm, trying to be supportive as much as she can. “Why don’t you arrange a team to take shifts watching her?” she suggested. “You and Jed can take turns too, that way you will know when she wakes without burining out.”

Nikolas blinked, processing her words. Slowly, his expression softened, the tension in his shoulders easing just slightly.

“Yes,” he agreed, nodding. “We’ll do that.” His voice had steadied now, the resolve settling back into place. He gave her a small, tired smile, a silent thank you for being there for him when he needed it.

Before anyone else could speak, Jed straightened. “I’ll take first watch,” he announced, pulling up a chair. “You guys go rest, clean up.” His gaze flicked toward Asher. “We’ll watch your mother too.”

Asher stiffened, his hands curled into fists at his sides. “I can’t leave her alone here.”

Saphira turned toward him, her voice gentle but firm. “You’re still recovering too remember. You need to rest more than any of us, just for today at least.”

A long pause stretched between them before Asher finally exhaled sharply, resigned.

“Fine,” he muttered, stepping back from the bed. His mother was fast asleep, her body utterly drained from everything they had endured. “Just let me know if she wakes up. Please.”

Jed nodded once. “Of course.”

Nikolas glanced at the group, reassessing. “After Jed, it’ll go Finn, Raven, Jasper, then myself.” His voice held a quiet certainty. “She needs someone familiar when she wakes.”

There was no argument, no hesitation. They all knew what was at stake.

Saphira stole one last glance at Zafira before stepping toward the door.

They had fought to get her back.

Now, they would fight for her recovery.

Saphira followed Nikolas into his room, her body aching from exhaustion, both physical and emotional. The weight of everything that had happened pressed deep into her bones, but she knew it was nothing compared to what Nikolas was carrying.

He walked ahead, silent, tense, before finally sinking onto the edge of the bed, dropping his head into his hands.

“I can’t believe we found her,” he murmured, voice thick with disbelief. “After everything… after so long… she’s alive.”

Saphira moved toward him, kneeling in front of him, resting a gentle hand on his knee.

“You did it,” she said softly. “And now, we do everything we can to help her recover. And after that?” Her voice hardened. “We plan our revenge. Properly.”

Nikolas lifted his gaze, his golden eyes meeting hers. There was something raw in his expression, something breaking and rebuilding all at once.

His fingers brushed over hers, squeezing gently before he exhaled deeply.

“I should have helped you more,” he said suddenly, his tone quiet but edged with guilt. “With your dragon. With everything. I got so lost in this… in finding her… I didn’t do what I promised. I didn’t teach you.”

Saphira’s chest tightened, but she shook her head. “Nikolas,” she murmured, squeezing his hand in return. “It’s okay. There was too much going on and it hasnt been long. But now?” A small smile tugged at her lips. “Now Zafira’s home. We have time. And we will start.”

Nikolas searched her face for a long moment before nodding, the tension in his posture easing just slightly.

Saphira knew they weren’t done, it wasnt time to relax and rest.

Not by a long shot.

But in this moment right now, Nikolas needed to breathe.

And she would make sure he did. Because together? They were unstoppable. And soon the Elders would know it. They all would.