bCHAPTER /b37

Saphira and Niks made their way toward the office, the weight of everything that had happened pressing down on her bwith /bevery bstep/b. bThe /bnicht i still thrummed in her veins the transformation, the Elders, Niks‘ return. It was too much to process all at once, yet here they were, about to faceb, /bbfed /bFinn, Raven, and the warriors, ready to recount what had transpired.

She exhaled slowly, steadying herself.

Niks‘ arm rested firmly around her back, grounding her, a steady presence amidst the chaos still swirling in her mind. His warmth, his bstrength/b–it wasforting in a way she hadn’t expected.

“We won’t tell them about your transformation yet,”

whispered, voice low, meant just for her. “Let’s get you ustomed first.”

Saphira nodded, a flood of relief washing over her. He understood. The shift had been overwhelming, shocking in ways she hadn’t even begun to unravel. (f they told the others now, she wouldn’t have the space to figure it out for herself first.

“Okay. Thank you,” she murmured, grateful.

Niks squeezed her side lightly–a subtle reassurance before they reached the door.

Her heartbeat picked up as they entered, eyes immediately falling on Jed, Finn, Raven, and the gathered warriors. Surprise flickered across their faces, wide eyes, tense postures–because Niks bwas /bback. Alive. Standing right in front of them, when not long ago, his fate had been uncertain.

Saphira swallowed, forcing herself to focus.

She was eager to hear what had happened. And eager to tell them everything.

But first–first, she needed to know.

How Niks had been taken.

They all sat down; tension thick in the air as bevery /bpair of beyes /bsettled on Niks. The weight of expectation pressed against Saphira’s chestb–/beveryone was waiting for answers. Waiting to understand what had happened.

Jed was the first to speak, his voice edged with impatience. “So, what the hell happened?”

Saphira turned to Niks instinctively, needing to see his expression,,to gauge what emotions flickered beneath his steady exterior. He met her gaze for a brief moment before shifting his attention to the others.

“It was the Elders,” Niks announced, his tone calm but firm.

The room reacted instantly.

Murmurs broke out, sharp and urgent. Jed and Finn stiffened, their beyes /bwidening in shock, mouths slightly agape as the weight of that statement settled. The Elders weren’t supposed to interfere–not like this.

“What–how–why?” Finn sputtered, stumbling over his words, too overwhelmed bto /bfigure out where to even start. It all came out in a tangled rush, desperate for rity.

One of the warriors shifted in their seat, doubt evident in their voice. “Are you bsure /bit was the Eldersb? /bbIt /bseems bexcessive/bb./bb” /b

Saphira didn’t let Niks reply.

“Yes, it was,” she said sharply, leaning forward, determination cutting through her voice. “I saw them too.”

Niks nodded in agreement. “Saphira is right. They ambushed me while I was scouting the area, looking for any clues leading to fira.”

Finn shook his head, disbelief still clinging to him. “But why?”

Niks exhaled slowly, steadying himself before answering. “From what I gathered, they were offering me a tradeb–/bmy life for Zafira’sb. /b

bCHAPTER /bb37 /b

bSilence /bbfilled /bbthe /broom for bhalf /ba second, thick and heavyb. /b

Then, he continued, his voice carrying an edge that hadn’t been there before.

“But then… he sensed Saphira Niks‘ gaze flickered toward her, something unreadable in his expression before he turned back to the others. The ke she was my mate… so he changed the deal.”

Sapira felt her puise quicken, remembering the moment–the shift in the Elder’s demeanour, the cruel amusement in his voice when he had seen the terms. She clenched her jaw, forcing herself to stay focused.

Raven leaned forward, expression sharp, as if searching for a w in the storyi. /i“Why didn’t you attack? Or take him out?” she asked, like it was the dentica solution to everything.

Niks‘ expression darkened slightly. “Because he confined me into my dragon form. Chained me. Along with our newest guest–Asher”

Finn leaned forward, arms crossed, frustration flickering in his expression. “I still don’t understand whyi,/i” he muttered, shaking his head. It wasn’t enough to know who had done this–everyone wanted the reason. The motive.

Saphira could feel the weight of that uncertainty pressing against them all.

Niks shifted slightly, his golden eyes locking onto bJed/b. Saphira caught it–a nod, brief but deliberate. Silent understanding passed between them before Niks finally spoke.

“Because, technically, we should rule the supernatural world.” His bvoice /bbwas /bcalm, controlled, but there was something simmering beneath it–something unresolved. “And they were worried I was growing too powerful. I was supposed to remain in the Matchmaker forever.”

The reaction was immediate.

Murmurs spread across the room, disbelief cutting through the air. Finn’s brows furrowed deeply, his mouth opening and closing as if grasping for words. trying to piece together the implications.

Then–one of the warriors. The same one who had questioned Niks earlier. “Why should you rule?” His tone was measured, but there bwas /bsomething behind it–a hint of challenge, doubt, something Saphira didn’t like.

Her stomach twisted at the way he addressed Niks, at how his words carried a subtle weight, questioning everything rather than just seeking answers. He was supposed to be one of Niks‘ best warriors. And yet—

She parked the thought, noting it. She’d raise itter.

Niks exhaled slowly, his expression unreadable as he finally answered.

“Because…” He paused slightly, letting the words settle before finishing. “We are thest Royal Supernaturals. Thest Royal Dragon pack.”

Silence.

The weight of his words crushed the murmurs instantly. Shock rippled across every face in the room, sharp and undeniable–even Saphira wasn’t immune to olliit. /li/ol

She had read about the Royal Dragon pack. She knew their legacy, their power. They bwere /bmeant to lead–not just among dragons, but across all supernatural races.

That knowledge shifted everything.

And then Niks added, almost wryly, “Plus, they hate that we mix bour /bkinds together.”

A small attempt at lightening the mood.

But the truth had already beenid bare.

And now, everything felt bmore /bdangerous than before. Because this wasn’t just a battle. It was ba /bwar for power.