The Matchmaker (by Sophie Smith) novel Chapter 142

CHAPTER 142

Saphira’s gaze didn’t waver. She leaned forward slightly, her fingers resting against the edge of the table, her voice low but unwavering. “If it comes to it, I’ll use their ignorance about me to our advantage. Whether I have your approval or not.”

Nikolas stiffened beside her, his jaw tightening as he turned toward her. “Saphira-

But Zafira raised a hand, her voice slicing through the tension like a blade. “Nikolas, wait.”

The room stilled. Zafira’s eyes moved from Saphira to Nikolas, her expression taut with conflict. “As much as I hate the idea of anyone else in my family being in danger… she’s right. It’s probably the best advantage we have.”

Her fingers curled tighter around Asher’s hand, her knuckles paling. “That doesn’t mean we use it immediately. But as a last option? We’d be foolish not to.”

Nikolas didn’t respond right away. His eyes narrowed, gaze dropping to the map as if it could offer a better answer. Saphira watched him closely, saw the tension in his shoulders, the way his fingers flexed against the table.

She reached out and placed her hand gently over his. “It’s a last resort,” she said softly.

Nikolas exhaled, slow and reluctant. His shoulders dropped slightly, but the tension didn’t leave his eyes. He didn’t like it. But he didn’t argue.

Asher cleared his throat, breaking the silence. “So… what’s the first option?”

Before anyone could answer, the door creaked open again. Jed stepped in, his expression calm but alert, eyes scanning the room before settling on Nikolas.

“You alright?” Nikolas asked.

Jed nodded, moving to take the empty seat beside Anastasia. “Yeah. Just thought I’d come back and join the discussion.”

Asher leaned forward, elbows braced on the table. “Then let’s talk first plan.”

They began tossing ideas around, the map between them becoming a battlefield of possibilities.

“We could circle them,” Zafira suggested, tracing a finger along the outer ridges. “Come in from

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CHAPTER 142

multiple angles. Catch them off guard.”

Saphira watched the motion, her mind already calculating routes, timing, risk. It’s bold. But it stretches us thin.

Anastasia frowned, her arms crossed. “That would mean pulling more pack members from the inner perimeter. Which leaves the pack vulnerable. Especially the children.”

“Or we confront them head–on,” Asher offered. “Use magic. Hit hard and fast.”

Nikolas shook his head slightly. “If their witch is stronger than ours, we risk being countered. And exposed.”

Saphira leaned in, her brow furrowed. “What about luring them into a building? Somewhere isolated. We control the space. We set the terms.”

Jed nodded slowly, tapping the map. “It’s smart. But risky. That puts them close to the pack. Too close.”

The room fell into thoughtful silence, the map between them marked with red ink and consequence.

“It’ll come down to who they send,” Anastasia said finally, her voice quiet but certain. “And what they bring with them.”

Saphira’s gaze lingered on the map, her fingers brushing the edge.

Nikolas leaned forward, both palms resting flat on the table, his gaze sweeping across the map and the faces around it. “Our options,” he said, voice steady but edged with tension, “are basically all of them. We need to be ready for each possibility–and able to switch it up in a moment’s notice. Especially once we know who we’re up against.”

Saphira watched the way his fingers flexed against the wood, the way his shoulders held the weight of leadership. He’s already running through every scenario. Every failure. Every cost.

Jed nodded thoughtfully, arms crossed. “Have you spoken to Jasper and Sam? Gotten their thoughts?”

Nikolas shook his head. “Not yet. They’re supporting the warriors right now–reinforcing the perimeter and checking gear. I’ll ask them to come by when they’re done.”

Jed tapped the table lightly with two fingers. “Good idea. Let’s pause negotiations until they’re back.

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CHAPTER 142

Go through everything again with a full circle.”

Saphira glanced around the room. Zafira was still tracing the map absently, her brow furrowed. Anastasia leaned back in her chair, arms folded, her expression unreadable but engaged. Asher sat forward, elbows on his knees, nodding slowly.

One by one, they agreed.

Saphira exhaled, her fingers brushing the edge of the map. It’s the right call. We need every voice. Every angle. Especially now.

Nikolas straightened, his eyes meeting hers briefly. There was no need for words–just a shared understanding.

One by one, the others filtered out of the room. Chairs scraped softly against stone, murmured goodbyes passed between them, and the door clicked shut behind Jed, leaving only Saphira and Nikolas in the quiet.

Saphira turned slowly to face Nikolas, her voice quiet but certain. “You’re still not okay with it.”

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Nikolas looked at her, jaw tight, eyes shadowed. “You’re putting yourself on the spot, Saphira. You’re offering yourself up like a pawn.”

She stepped closer, her boots silent against the stone. “You would do the same if the roles were reversed.”

His eyes narrowed, a flicker of frustration sparking. “That’s not the point.”

“It is,” she said, her tone sharpening. “You’d do it without hesitation. You’d walk into fire if it meant protecting us.”

Nikolas pushed off the wall, pacing once across the room, his movements taut. “That doesn’t mean I want you to.”

Saphira’s shoulders tensed, her breath catching. He’s scared. Not of the plan–of losing me. But I’m scared too. Of doing nothing. Of letting them strike again while we hesitate.

“I’m not throwing myself into danger,” she said, stepping into his path. “I’m saying if it comes to it- if it’s the only way–we use what they don’t know. But only if my dragon is ready. Only if we’ve weighed every risk and every counterstrike.”

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