Saphira stepped through the archway leading to the garden, the crisp scent of earth and greenery filling her lungs. The space was alive-voices murmuring, figures shifting, all turning toward her and Niks as they entered.

Her pulse picked up, her fingers twitching slightly at her sides. The sea of unknown faces stood before her, a pack she had yet to know, yet to understand. And among them, Jed-his stance steady, eyes sharp, watching her with quiet expectation.

Niks walked beside her with easy confidence, his presence unwavering, and somehow, that steadied her too. His grip was firm yet effortless as he kept pace beside her, leading her straight into their midst.

Stopping just before them, he let his voice carry,manding attention without needing force. “Everyone,” he started, his gaze sweeping across his pack, “this is Saphira.”

A weight settled over the space-not in hostility, but in anticipation. Saphira swallowed, forcing herself to meet their gazes, to stand tall.

“She stands beside me now, marked as one of our own. And as my mate, your co-leader.”

There it was. The statement that changed everything. That made this real.

Her heart hammered, but she refused to let it show. This was her ce now. And no matter how deep her uncertainties ran, she wasn’t about to back down.

The moment Niks introduced her, the energy in the garden shifted. A ripple of movement spread through the gathered pack as several members stepped forward, eager to greet her.

Saphira barely had time to take a breath before she was surrounded. Voices ovepped, names she couldn’t immediately ce were offered, hands extended in wee. The excitement was palpable-genuine. It wasn’t the wary, forced politeness she had once known. These people wanted to meet her. They epted her.

Her heart swelled with something unfamiliar yetforting. Maybe she had been wrong to assume the worst. Maybe this truly could be different.

She did her best to keep up, offering smiles, shaking hands, answering questions. They spoke to her as if she belonged, as if she had always been meant to stand among them.

Then, amidst the flurry of greetings, a familiar face emerged from the crowd.

Amara.

The recognition struck Saphira instantly, and before she could think, she was moving-closing the distance between them. Amara’s expression mirrored her own surprise, then softened with something warm and knowing.

Without hesitation, they embraced.

Relief flooded through Saphira, an unexpectedfort in the familiarity of Amara’s presence. It had been a chance meeting before, something she hadn’t realized would mean so much now. But here, with uncertainty still clinging to the edges of her mind, Amara’s arms around her felt like a reassurance she hadn’t known she needed.

“You’re here,” Amara murmured, pulling back just enough to study her. “I had a feeling you’d find your way.”

Saphira let out a small breath, her smile widening. “Apparently, fate had ns for me.”

And me, Amara added. Saphira let out a softugh at Amara’s words, the warmth of their connection settling more firmly in her chest. This moment-this friendship-felt unexpected, yet somehow right.

“I take it you found a mate in there and left with him?” she asked, already knowing the answer but wanting to hear it from Amara herself.

“Oh, yes.” Amara’s eyes gleamed with happiness. “I met my mate, Finn. He’s an adopted brother to Niks and Jed.”

Saphira felt a rush of genuine joy for her. It wasn’t just about surviving whatever had brought Amara to the Matchmaker-it was about finding something more, something meant for her. A mate. A fresh start.

“That’s amazing,” she said earnestly, scanning the garden around them. “So where is he?”

“He was just getting us some drinks. He should be back any second,” Amara replied, mirroring her gaze as they both searched the gathering for Finn.

Before they could spot him, Niks approached, his presence as steady and grounding as ever. He nced between them, curiosity flickering in his expression. “A friend?”

“I hope so,” Saphira answered with a small smile. “We met the day we were matched in the Matchmaker.”

“Oh, definitely,” Amara chimed in, giving Saphira a knowing wink. “I felt a connection to her then, and now I see why.”

Niks’s lips curved slightly, his gaze softening as he looked between them. “Well, I’m d. Not only are you mates with my brother, but now you’re friends with my mate. I think it worked out pretty well.”

Saphira nodded, hyper-aware of the warmth of his palm as he rested his hand lightly against her back. It wasforting, grounding-though it stirred something else inside her she wasn’t quite ready to name.

Niks shifted slightly. “So where is Finn?”

“He went to get us some drinks,” Amara started, then suddenly perked up. “Oh! Here he is now.”

She waved behind Saphira and Niks, motioning to someone approaching.

Saphira turned, and the moment her eyesnded on Finn, the world seemed to tilt beneath her feet.

A loud gasp escaped her lips as Finn transformed instantly into his wolf, howling into the air. The sharp, echoing sound startled everyone, the energy in the garden snapping into a tense silence.

“What is happening?” Niks demanded, confusion sharp in his tone.

Saphira barely heard him. She couldn’t hear anything.

All she could see was Finn.

Recognition crashed over her like a tidal wave.

She never thought she would see him again.

Her breath caught painfully in her chest as one word slipped past her lips.

“Connor?”

Chapter Comments

‘Visitor

oh my gosh I am so giddy when I heard his name I am so happy for her