The Matchmaker (by Sophie Smith) novel Chapter 128

CHAPTER 128

The car ride was silent.

Not the kind of silence that begged to be filled–but the kind that pressed against her ribs like a held breath. Saphira sat in the back seat, her shoulder brushing the cool window, eyes locked on the blur of trees streaking past. Her fingers curled loosely in her lap, nails grazing the fabric of her pants. Her thoughts spun like gears, too fast to catch. Silvermoon, Asher. Talia. Sam. Stay focused. Stay sharp.

Beside her, Raven sat between her and Amara, spine straight, gaze forward. Her presence was calm, but Saphira could feel the tension humming beneath it- like a bowstring drawn but not yet loosed.

Then, without a word, Raven reached over and took her hand.

Saphira blinked, startled by the warmth of the gesture. Raven’s grip was steady. Saphira turned her head slightly, and Raven met her gaze with a soft, reassuring smile–quiet, but fierce in its loyalty. I’ve got you, it said, without needing to speak.

Saphira’s throat tightened. She squeezed Raven’s hand back, her fingers trembling slightly. Thank you, she thought. For knowing when silence is enough.

The car slowed, gravel crunching beneath the tires as they approached the airstrip–a narrow stretch of tarmac carved into the woods like a scar. The plane waited, squat and silent, its wings catching the pale morning light. Jed pulled the car to a stop and stepped out, his boots crunching against the gravel as he circled around.

One by one, they climbed out.

Finn was first, clapping Jed on the shoulder with a quiet murmur. His jaw was tight, eyes unreadable. Amara followed, her hug brief but firm, her expression drawn. Jasper offered a nod–no words, just the weight of his gaze.

Then Saphira stepped forward.

She hesitated; her boots planted firmly on the ground. Jed looked at her, and something in his face softened.

“You’ve got this,” he said, voice low.

Saphira nodded, her throat dry. “Thank you. For everything.”

Jed gave her a half–smile, the kind that carried history. Then he turned to Raven.

Raven lingered. Her hug was longer, her voice low and steady. “Keep the pack safe.”

Jed’s reply was immediate. “I will. Bring them back.”

Raven nodded once, then turned and walked toward the plane, her shoulders squared.

Inside, the cabin was compact, the air tinged with metal and fuel. They buckled in quickly, the hum of the engines rising beneath them like a heartbeat. Saphira sat beside Raven again, opposite from Finn and Amara. Jasper took the seat to the side of them, arms folded, eyes scanning.

The plane lifted off, the ground falling away in a slow, deliberate pull. Saphira stared out the window, watching the trees shrink into shadows. Her chest felt tight. Don’t look back. Just forward.

Once they were in the air, Finn broke the silence,

“How are you feeling?”

Saphira turned to him, her voice calm but clipped “Focused. I’m keeping my mind on Asher, Talia, and Sam. Not the pack. Not the politics. Just them.” She paused, her fingers tightening around the armiest. “But I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t scared for you Going in as bait… it’s a risk.”

Finn opened his mouth, but Jasper leaned forward slightly, his brow furrowed. “Have you thought about your exit plan?”

Finn nodded, his fingers tapping a restless rhythm against his thigh. “I have. I’m anxious about seeing them again. It’s going to be hard to hold everything in. But like Saphira, I’m keeping my game head on.” He glanced at Amara. “Plus, Amara will be with me.”

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CHAPTER 128

Amara reached over, placing a hand on his knee. Her touch was gentle. “For every step,” she added with a small smile.

Finn exhaled, then looked at Jasper. “Once I get the all clear from you that you have made it out, I’ll plan a picnic with Amars. I’ll play the caring son, ask my parents to help set it up. I’ll take Amara to an isolated spot for privacy, and that’s when we’ll leave. I’ll message Saphira where we are and head back to the plane.”

Jasper nodded, his expression thoughtful. “It’s a good plan. If you need help, let us know. I’ll see what I can do.”

Raven’s voice cut through, quiet but firm. “I can help too.”

Saphira looked around at them, her chest tightening with quiet resolve. Her gaze lingered on each of them–Finn’s tension, Amara’s steadiness, Jasper’s watchfulness, Raven’s quiet fire.

“This plan will work,” she said, her voice low but certain. “Because we’re going to make it work.”

And for the first time since they left, the silence felt like something they shared–not something they carried alone.

The hum of the plane filled the cabin, steady and low. Saphira sat upright, her fingers tapping absently against the armrest, eyes scanning the horizon through the small window. The silence between them had settled into something focused—no longer heavy, but waiting.

Raven broke it first.

“We should put a plan together,” she said, her voice calm but edged with purpose. “For getting into the pack once Finn and Amara are in.”

Saphira nodded, reaching for her backpack. She unzipped the front pocket and pulled out the folded map, the paper worn at the creases from hours of study. She leaned forward and gently moved the drinks from the tray table–two untouched bottles of water and a crumpled napkin–then spread the map out carefully.

Her fingers traced the lines with precision. “Here,” she said, pointing to the northern edge. “This is the main entrance. It’s where Finn and Amara will enter. It’s guarded, but it’s also where most of the attention will be.”

She shifted her hand to the right side of the map, tapping a shaded area. “This spot–just east of the waterfall–is a blind zone. It’s not far from the outer boundary, and the terrain gives us cover. We’ll have a good vantage point to check for scouts or patrols before we move in.”

Jasper leaned in, his brow furrowed. “And once we’re in?”

Saphira nodded. “The forest is dense. If we stay low and move fast, we can use it to navigate. I know a few hiding places–old ones. Places they won’t think to check?”

Jasper gave a small nod. “Good. Hopefully the commotion with Finn and Amara will be enough to distract them.”

Raven studied the map, her eyes sharp. “It should be. Especially if they play it right.”

Saphira exhaled slowly, her gaze lingering on the centre of the map–the heart of the territory. “If we find them quickly,” she said, “we get out. Then we focus on getting Finn and Amara back.”

Amara, seated beside Finn, leaned forward slightly. “Not to sour the mood,” she said gently, “but… do we have a plan if things go wrong?”

The cabin went still. Everyone sucked in a breath, eyes flicking between each other. The weight of the question settled like fog.

Saphira’s fingers curled around the edge of the map. She didn’t want to think about it. But she had to. She looked up, meeting each gaze in turn.

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