The Matchmaker (by Sophie Smith) novel Chapter 57

CHAPTER 57

Nikolas approached Anastasia’s bed slowly, his posture that with tension, hes golden eyes

an be studied her.

Saphira feh the shift in him before he even spoke–the guarded edge in his stance, the way his fingers feed slightly, as if preparing himself for thing

“How do you know my name?” Nikolas asked, his voice low, measured, hut carrying an unmistakable sharpness.

Saphira inhaled slowly, her stomach tightening. No one outside the pack or the Elders should know his name–especially after everything that had already happened. This was dangerous. This was wrong. And it was only natural that Nikolas would be an edge.

Anastasia stined, shifting slightly, her movements slow and cautious

Asher was beside her in an instant, supporting her as she adjusted herself in the bed.

Once she was settled, she gave Nikolas a small, tited smile.

“Because my dear.” she started, voler quiet but steady, “I was there when you were born… When you were named.”

The words hit the room like a weight dropped into still water.

Nikolas expression shifted, confusion flickering across his features, pulling his brown together. “L.. how?”

new up

friends.”

p with your father,” Anastasia continued her voice softer now, laced with something

14 farmiliar. “And when he met your mother, we became best

Silence settled thick between them.

Asher was staring in shock, eyes wide, lips parted slightly as if trying to process it

Even Saphira felt frozen, her breath uneven, her dragon stirring with unease.

Nikolas hadn’t moved.

He stood stiffly, barely binking, like his mind was racing too fast to form a response

Then, slowly–hesitantly–he started, “Do you…” but the words faltered before he could finish.

Anastasia’s expression dimmed.

“No,” she said, her voice

d, her voice dipping with sorrow, already understanding what he was trying to ask,

Saphina’s chest tightened, watching the way Anastasia’s shoulders curled slightly inward, how the emotion broke through her exhaustion.

“I have been searching for them ever since they disappeared,” she whispered, her gaze distant, like the was coving teething only she had loved through. “I found no leads. I’m so sorry.”

A tear slipped down her cheek, catching on the comer of her lip before she wiped it away absently.

Nikolas exhaled slowly, the sound heavy.

“We have an idea,” he admitted, voice steadier than before, though there was something restrained beneath it–something held back. “But I don’t want bu cause you any stress right nowe

Anastasia nodded weath, her fingers gripping Asher’s hand for silent reassurance.

“You need to heal” Niklas continued, squeezing her shoulder gently, offering something quiet–something meant to ground her, if only fat now. “They

we can talk”

WAFTER 5/

He turned, stepping back, moving as though preparing on leave–but hesitated.

Puting at the door, he glanced over his shoulder.

“Tim glad you’re safe.”

His sake carried more weight than the words alone.

“Welcome home”

Anastasia let out a slow breath, her los pressing

pinto something faird–something unreadable.

Nikolas turned toward Saphic then, his gater but still laced with thought.

“Let’s give them sonte space,” he murmured, tilling his head slightly toward the door. “We can come back after we eat

He ached for the contamer she had brought in, lifting it off the side table.

“This in cold now,”

Baghira nodded, falling into step beside him without hesitation

As they left. Nikolas passed only briefly to speak to one of the doctors, ensuring Zafira would be watched closely until they returned.

Then–together–they walked back to the house.

Saphira and Nikolas med toward the farthest table in the half–ergty dining room, each carrying a plate of food, their movements slow–gued, but

As they entered, a few pack member exchanged brief words, small talk about border status and any signs of trouble

Luckily everything seemed quiet.

Still, Saphira felt the weight of it all pressing against Sikalas, the temien roing through him even though nothing had been said yet.

Deer they settled into their seats, the silence between them stiched, settling thick in the air.

Saphira studied. Nikolas for a moment–his shoulders tense, his jaw set, the shadows beneath his eyes deeper than before. He looked like he was carrying everything alone.

She let the silence linger for a beat longer before finally breaking it.

“Are you okay?”

Nikolas exhaled slowly, rubbing his thumb absently against the side of his plate before answering.

“Yes,” he murmured. Then–after a pause=“It’s just a lot. And now I have to break the news of my parents” death to her,”

Saphira felt something sharp twist inside her chest at that.

“It seems ever since the whole ordeal with The Matchmaker… everything has been against us.”

His voice was quieter now, edged with something defeated.

Saphira inhaled slowly, watching him, truly shing him in a way she hadn’t before.

Nikolas Arax–the most dangerous, se creature alive–looked deleted

2/14

But she wasn’t about to let him sit in that feeling.

She reached out, placing her lund finely in his arm, waiting until his pure lifted to meet hers.

“That’s because we don’t understand everything set,” she said, her mire steady, certain. “When we desi

Nike stared at her for abg mement

Then–aly, subtly his lips conved into the smellest hist of a smile,

“I really like your confidence,” he mimated.

Saphira umiked, squeezing his arm briefly before palling her hand back.

“Because you are Nikolas Amas. My mate. The most powerful and feared creature to exist.”

Nikolas let out a low clarkle, shaking his head slightly.

“I don’t feel powerful,” he admitted. “I was able to be taken so easily. Twice”

Saphira narrowed her eyes slightly, her fingers tightening around the edge of her plate.

“That that was because you were ochrambered,” she pointed out. “You can only do so much alone… especially against Elders.”

She softened, midging his foot lightly beneath the table,

“But you’re not alone anymore.”

Nikolas held her gaze for another long boat–then exhaled, something in his posture losing just slightly.

They finished eating in silence, but Saphira wasn’t lost in thought the way the normally was..

She felt… grounded.

Until-

Something clicked in her mind.

Something she had overlooked.

Without hesitation, she tumed her entire body toward Nikolas, Her expression sharpening, he spipe straightening with deliberate purpose.

Nikolas blinked, confused by the sudden shift..

“Now seriously,” she said firmly, her tone carrying weight Nikolas wasn’t expecting “you ever wander off without any communication to try and relve this yourself again…

She leaned in slightly, eyes locked unto his.

“I will never forgive you”

Nikolas blinked again, his expression flickering between shock and mild amusement–but mostly shock.

„Understood,” he finally replied, his voice edged with realization.

Saphira felt the weight lift off her shoulders instantly–the frustration, the unspoken anger she hadn’t even schroedelgel anil nome

She hadn’t realized how much it had aflosed her

CHAPTER 57

How much it had

Intlle her, waiting to be spoken.

Now she had said

And Niklas heard

That was enough

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