The Matchmaker (by Sophie Smith) novel Chapter 27

CHAPTER 27

“And vampires?” she asked, shifting the conversation forward.

Nikolas’ expression darkened slightly. “Vampires don’t work in packs or clans. They form covens, but don’t mistake them for structured organizations. Vampires are political creatures at their core. They manipulate, they scheme, they shift alliances when it suits them. The most powerful vampire rules, but that power is rarely stable for long. A coven is only loyal as long as it benefits them.”

Saphira considered that carefully. Werewolves thrived on instinctual bonds. Dragons valued strength and wisdom. Vampires? They played games with power

itself.

“It’s why dealing with vampires requires caution,” Nikolas said. “Negotiation is their strength. Werewolves may be physically dominant, dragons may be powerful beyond measure, but vampires? They rarely fight fair.”

Saphira leaned forward, her mind spinning with everything she was learning. This was more than she had ever been taught-more than she had ever been allowed to know. She had spent her life believing she was an outsider in werewolf society, but now, she saw the truth.

She wasn’t just an outcast. She had been kept ignorant.

But that was changing now. She was part of this world-truly, for the first time. And she needed to be ready.

“There’s another group you should know about,” Nikolas continued. “Witches. While werewolves have packs, dragons have clans, and vampires have covens, witches organize themselves into their own covens, though they work differently than vampires. Their covens are built around knowledge, magic, and tradition rather than political power. And unlike vampires, they rarely deal in manipulation.”

Saphira listened intently. “Do witches interact much with other supernatural groups?”

“Not often,” Nikolas admitted. “They mainly work with the Elders or the dragons. Witches hold deep respect for wisdom and strength, which makes them more inclined to trust dragons as allies. Werewolves and vampires, however? It’s rare to see witches involved with them unless absolutely necessary. They view vampires as dangerous and unpredictable, and werewolves… well, the relationship is complicated.”

Saphira tilted her head. “Complicated how?”

Nikolas considered for a moment. “Werewolves and witches don’t have a history of deep cooperation. While they don’t necessarily view each other as enemies, their worlds don’t overlap much. Wolves rely on instinct and physical prowess, while witches rely on intellect and magic. It creates a natural distance.”

Saphira tapped her fingers against the table thoughtfully. “And this pack? Where do witches stand here?”

Nikolas smirked slightly. “Here, all supernatural beings have a place, including witches. They respect our leadership because we uphold fairness, but they still remain somewhat separate in their dealings. They work best when consulted on magical matters, but they rarely involve themselves in physical conflicts.”

As the conversation continued, Saphira absorbed the intricacies of the supernatural world, each revelation layering itself upon the foundation she was quickly building. Nikolas was a wealth of knowledge, and she found herself hanging onto every word.

“There’s another key piece to supernatural society that you need to understand,” he said, his tone shifting slightly. “The Elders. I briefly mentioned them.”

Saphira straightened in her seat, curiosity sparking in her eyes.

*All supernatural creatures-werewolves, dragons, vampires, witches-have what we call the Elders,” Nikolas explained. “They are the ones who oversee pack dynamics, ensure laws are upheld, and preside over serious matters, especially those that might disrupt the balance between factions. Every decision of great importance eventually reaches them.”

Saphira considered this carefully. “So, they’re like a council?”

Nikolas nodded. “Exactly. They don’t govern individual packs, clans, or covens-that responsibility falls to the respective leaders-but they hold enough power that their rulings cannot be ignored. If a dispute arises between factions, or if a rogue supernatural threatens the peace, it is the Elders who

determine the course of action.”

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CHAPTER 27

That made sense. If supernatural creatures operated across different societies, there had to be a higher authority ensuring that chaos didn’t tear them apart.

Saphira exhaled slowly, taking it all in. This world was vast, layered with complexities she hadn’t known existed. She had spent her life on the outskirts of werewolf society, believing that was all there was. But now, she saw the truth-there was an entire supernatural network, woven together by unspoken rules, alliances, and ancient traditions.

“Alright,” Nikolas said, leaning forward. “Now that you know the basics, it’s time for some lunch before we meet the warriors.”

Saphira nodded, feeling more informed and developed a new understanding. She wasn’t just an observer anymore. She was part of this world now. And she would make sure she understood it completely.

Together, they made their way to the dining room, where a vast spread of food awaited them, set out in a buffet style. The scents of freshly prepared dishes wafted through the air, but despite the welcoming display, the room itself felt strangely still-eerily quiet.

Saphira collected her food and took her seat beside Nikolas, her gaze sweeping the empty space. The absence of the pack was stark, noticeable.

“Where is everyone?” she asked, curiosity threading through her tone.

Nikolas placed his utensils down briefly, glancing at her with steady ease. “They’ll be in shortly,” he assured. “I didn’t want any distractions until after we get the information from the warriors. Hope that’s okay-I know you still want to meet everyone properly.”

Saphira considered his reasoning and found herself agreeing. As much as she wanted to integrate into the pack, their priorities had to come first. Finding Zafira, understanding her new reality-those came above social introductions.

“Oh, it’s fine,” she said, offering him a small, appreciative smile. “I actually agree with you. Thank you.”

Nikolas gave a nod, his expression briefly softening before they both turned their attention to their meals, settling into a quiet, comfortable silence. Though the room was absent of others, there was no unease between them. Only a growing sense of trust.

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