The Matchmaker (by Sophie Smith) novel Chapter 45

CHAPTER 45

The group moved silily theright the forest, their proe ingest but careful as they everted Asher i medher back to the park. Sephire kept elude to her. supporting her weight at lest the but she could feel the woman’s exhaustion in morry slow, measured stap.

Nilabas walked beside them, his expression hard, unreadable. She karse his mind was already ahead – already thinking about Zafira, already catering the nest move, abrade binding for whatever awaited them in that hospital anom.

When they finally reached the pack’s tritory, the tention in the air shifted. No longer i filled with anticipation.

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

And then they save bet.

suffocating weight of

Jasper stood beside the bed where the lay, his sharp, watchful gaze flicking toward them as they approached. She looked on Bail, her skin pale, het breath shallow

Saphira felt a pang in

in her chest, but she forced herself to stay steady

Nikolas didn’t move for a second.

Then he stepped forward, his polden eyes locked on his sister.

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

Nikolas exhaled, slow, controlled, but 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 rec

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

Saphire 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 an Zafira’s fragile form. The relief of finding her alive should have been meerwhelming, but instead, all he could feel was fear.

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

Saphira could see it the worry in his golden eyes, the same tightness in led’s posture as he stared at their ster. This ain’t just exhaustion or suc was the deep, unshakable fear of losing her again.

The doctor stepped forstand, 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 de here

Saphira shihed her focus back to Nikolas. She could see the hesitation in him–the silent battle between staying ang himself to walk away.

She reached for his arm, grounding him, keeping him steady. “Why don’t you arrange a team for take shifts watching her?” she suggested. “ou and led can

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

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

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CHAPTER 45

Algpested between them before she finally led charged

this and

“Fine” he muttered, stepping back from the bed. His mother was fast asleep, her body etterly drained fine everything the hat on endured “but it ne

Ind nodded oner. “Of eest!

Nikolas glanced at the grop, man

“After jed, it’ll go Finn, Karen, Jesper, then

when the wake”

Then wat

Saphira stile one last glance at Zafina before stepping forward the door

they would fight for her recovery.

Saphira followed Nikolas into his room, her body aching from exhaustion–Both physical and deep into her bones, but she knew it was nothing stumpared to what Nikolas was carrying.

ead, 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. “her everything after so long the’s als

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

“We did it,” she said softly. “And now we do everything we can to help her over. And after that?” Her voice hardened

Niklased his gr, his golden eyes meeting hers. There was something win his expression–something breaking

His fingers brushed over hers, squeezing gently before be exhaled deeply

“I should have helped you more,” he said suddenly, his tone quied but edged with her, in fighting the Elder… I didn’t do what I promised. I didn’t teach you.”

. “With your dragon. With everything

Saphira’s chest tightened, but she shook her head. “Nikolas,” she murmured, squeezing his hand in return. “It’s okay. There was too now?” A small smile tugged at her lips. “Now Zafira’s home. We have time. And we 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 fighting

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 on–the Elders would know it. They all would

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The Matchmaker

CHAPTER 46