The Matchmaker (by Sophie Smith) novel Chapter 53

CHAPTER 53

A couple of days had passed, rach me stretching long and quirt.

Nikolas had spent nearly all of his time at the hospital with Zafira since Saphira had shown him the pendant and photos, At first, the mand i sitting by his side as the hour passed, the weight of waiting pressing againd her chest.

But then, he told her to get to know the pack–to explore instead of staying couped up in the same spare, trapped in the

She had hesitated, reluctant to leave him, reluctant to feel like she was moving forward while he remained locked in his own silent battle.

But in the end–the agreed.

She spent time getting used to the pack house, the way it felt li traced the pathways worn down by time and footsteps.

lived in, the small

vidual homes where families built their lives. She walked the grandi,

Then, she went farther.

She found a lake, its surface rippling gently under the be

And beyond it–a waterfall.

It was incredible, untouched by time, framed by lush greenery, cascading endlessly into the pool below.

Saphira sat there for hours, watching the water move, listening to its rhythm, feeling small but somehow calm within its presence.

When she finally returned to the house, the expected the feeling of familiarity to settle into ground her.

But something was still missing

Even though this place felt like home. Even though the people welcomed her, and felt like family, and even though her half–brother was here… she still felt alone.

Without Nikola

He had become her safety blanket–the steady presence she hadn’t realled she depended on until now.

And aside from rescue plans, aside from the looming battles ahead, he didn’t know what to talk about with anyone.

be didn’t.

She kept to herself. Waiting For Nikolas. For Zafira. For something to shift

Saphira sat in her room, fingers twisting idly in the fabric of her jeans, her mind restless despite the stillness around her.

She

e wanted to spend time with people.

She needed to,

And she knew her best chance was the game room–especially since it was Saturday

But every time she considered getting up, walking down the hall, just doing it.. something held her back

Her pulse quickened as she stood abruptly, pacing across the room, her steps uneven, ha breath a fraction too fast.

She had spent days alone–wandering the pick grounds, trying to feel settled, trying to understand her place here. But without Niklas by her side, the weight of isolation pressed harder than she wanted to admit,

Just go, she told hersell

CHAPTER 53

But the thought alene wasn’t enough to pich her krweed.

Before she could face herself into movement, a sudden knock monded at the dose.

Saphira fm, breath catching.

A brief past long enough for her nerves to spike–before she ran a hand through her fair, smoothing it hark in some attempt to collet herself.

Then she opened the

Amara stood on the other side, a wide, excited unile lighting up her face.

“Hey!” she greeted far too enthusiastically.

Saphira blinked, thrown off by the energy radiating from het. “Hey in you tos,” the aid, confused, poking her head slightly into the hallway to see if am else was with her.

No one

hest Amara.

“Are you busy?” Amara asked, completely oblivious to Saphira’s momentary hesitation.

Saphira frowned slightly, shaking her head. “Erm… no, why?”

Amara huffed out a breath, crossing her arms. “Well, I haven’t really spent much time with the pack–being stuck in my new mate bubble Shelled her eyes, but the amusement was clear. “Finn mentioned there’s a playroom or something that people go to on Saturdays.”

Saphira langhed before she could stop herself.

“The game room? the corrected, raising a brow

Amara tilted her head, thinking. “Yeah–that’s it.” Then, grinning, she added. “Taney coming with me?”

Saphira felt an instant rush of relief–like thanking the heavers level of relief.

the only one, , it seemed.

She wasn’t the only person struggling to integrate, to step into the space without feeling out of place.

Her chest eased, her bestation lifting just enough for her to finally move

“Yes,” she said, nodding, really meaning it.

Then, with more energy than she expected, she smiled.

As soon as Saphira and Amara stepped into the pamptoom, the energy hit them instantly–bright, lily, filled with laugh voices mixed with the occasional clatter of a pool hall hitting the table, the faint electronic sounds of arcade machines i

and conversation. The ham of

in the background.

Before they

y could

take another step, a familiar figure bolted toward then.

“There you

you are!”

Raven practically ran across the room, her goin wide, her excitement uncontented.

Saphira barely had time to react before Raven threw arm around her shoulders in greeting, pulling her in belly before doing the rame to Andra

CHAPTER 53

“Alright, listen up.” Raven announced, practically bouncing on her feel:“You two have perfect tuning. Were having in phut allowed to say na

Saphira blinked, caught nfl grand by the sudden enthusiasm.

Amara let out a laugh. “I don’t think we would say no, een if we wanted la.“

Raven smirked. “Good. Now, before we get started…

She turned, gesturing toward another woman standing a few feet away–tall, sharp featured, with striking green eyes and a confiéens stance

“This is Talia,” Raven said, looping an arm around her friend’s shoulders. “My best friend and absolute men when it comes to pl

Talia huffed, rolling her eyes but sarking, nonetheless. “She just says that because I beat her every single time.”

“Exactly!” Baven agreed dramatically.

Saphira chockled, shaking her head slightly.

Raven clapped her hands together. “Alright! Now that introductions are over–we have games to play, snacks to steal, and sera responsibilities for the seid few hours. Sound good?”

Saphira glanced at Amara, who grinned widely, clearly ready to dive in.

Saphira felt the hesitation inside her–brief, lingering. But then she looked at ven, at Talia, at Amara, at the ease broween them

And for the first time in days, she let herself relax.

Shended.

“Sounds perfect.”

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