Saphira wasn’t just epting the news that her new mate was a dragon. She was embracing it-this new depth to him, this secret he had entrusted her with. There was something profoundly humbling about knowing she stood in the presence of something ancient, something rare, something nearly extinct. And yet, here he was, sitting beside her, looking at her like she was just as important.
“You are thest of your kind,” she said, her voice quieter now, holding the weight of that truth. “That… that’s both heartbreaking and incredible.” Her fingers curled slightly against the fabric of the sofa, as if grounding herself. “I can’t believe I never saw it before.”
“What is it like?” she asked, her voice hushed with wonder. “Can you transform like the Werewolves? Or is it something deeper, like Vampires-woven into the very essence of who you are?”
The question spilled from her before she could stop it, her mind racing with the possibilities. She had spent years hearing stories-creatures of myth, of power, of mystery-but never had she imagined sitting beside one. Never had she thought she’d be looking into the eyes of something so rare, so extraordinary.
Niks held her gaze, a knowing glint shing in the depths of his eyes. And then heughed-not mockingly, but with the ease of someone who understood her wonder. Someone who found amusement in the contrast between what she had known and what she was now discovering.
“One day,” he said, his tone warm and certain. “I will show you.”
A shiver of anticipation curled through her, the promise hanging between them like something fragile yet unbreakable. But for now, it would remain a mystery, waiting for its moment.
Niks stood, stretching slightly before offering her a small smile. “For now, it’s time for dinner.”
Saphira blinked, the weight of reality settling back over her. Right-dinner. As if the world hadn’t just shifted beneath her feet. She pushed herself up, sparing him onest nce, the quiet thrill of knowing who he truly was lingering in her chest.
The truth had changed everything. But strangely, it hadn’t changed him. And that, perhaps, was the most extraordinary part of all.
The dining room unfolded before Saphira like something out of a grand, forgotten tale. The sheer size of it was staggering-vast enough to amodate hundreds yet crafted with such precision that it held an air of quiet majesty rather than chaos. Rows upon rows of long tables stretched across the space, each adorned with chandeliers that hung in perfect symmetry, casting a golden glow that danced over polished surfaces. It was beautiful, in a way that made her pause, drinking in the details, letting the sheer scale of it settle into her mind.
But then her gazended on something different-a smaller table, positioned at the very end, seemingly removed from the rest. Unlike the grand tables meant for the pack, this one was intimate, meant for only a handful of people.
“That is our seat,” Niks murmured beside her, his voice low, knowing.
Saphira blinked, caught off guard. “We sit on our own table?” she asked, surprise flickering through her tone. She had assumed they’d blend in, sit amongst everyone else, part of the collective.
Niks merely nodded, his expression unreadable. “Yes. We might not operate like most packs, but I still hold authority. And now so do you.” His words were soft, yet there was weight behind them-something unspoken, something undeniable. “Come.”
She hesitated only for a breath before following him, stepping toward the small table that felt far more significant than its size suggested. They settled side by side, the space between them quiet but charged with something new-something she wasn’t quite ready to name.
And then, the others entered.
First came Jed, Finn, and Amara, their presence familiar, grounding. Finn caught her gaze as he moved through the doorway, offering her a quick, knowing smile before taking his seat. Saphira exhaled, sinking into the moment, letting the reality of it all wash over her.
This was their home now.
Dinner passed smoothly, though Saphira remained keenly aware of the conversations unfolding around her. Laughter and quiet murmurs wove together like aforting hum, the energy in the room light and warm. It was strange to witness such ease, such contentment-a stark contrast to the guarded atmosphere
she had known before. Everyone seemed happy, and for the first time, she allowed herself to entertain the thought that perhaps she could be, too.
She turned slightly toward Niks, her voice soft, yet intentional. “Thank you,” she murmured.
Niks nced at her, confusion flickering in his gaze. “Why are you thanking me?”
She hesitated, searching for the right words. “For bringing me here,” she admitted. “For the first time, I feel safe… I feel at home.” The admission was quiet, nearly fragile, as if saying it aloud might make it vanish. But the warmth in her chest remained.
Niks’ lips curved into a small smile. “Well, in that case, you’re wee.” He leaned in just slightly, his voice dropping into something more personal. “Thank you, too.”
Saphira’s brows knitted together in puzzlement. “For what?” she asked, though before she could fully voice her curiosity, he answered.
“For pairing with me,” he said simply, holding her gaze with quiet sincerity. “And allowing me toe home.”
She hadn’t expected that. Her lips parted, but the only words that surfaced were, “Oh… you’re wee.”
Niks shifted back, and the moment lingered between them before he spoke again. “Tomorrow, we’ll go over some important things about the pack-how we operate, how other packs function. I doubt you learned much in yourst pack.” His tone was measured, understanding, yet there was a note of certainty
in it.
Saphira inhaled slightly, weighing his words. “No, I wasn’t,” she admitted. “I know nothing outside of my old pack’s rules.”
At that, Niks cast her an unreadable look-fleeting, but present enough for her to catch it before he masked it. Then, as if deciding something, he continued, “We’ll also figure out where to start in finding out who you are.”
That gave her pause. The thought of unravelling her past, of knowing herself fully, held undeniable appeal. But there were more urgent matters. “Niks, I appreciate that, but first, we need to find your sister.”
Her voice carried quiet determination-this was a priority, and she wouldn’t waver from it. Self-discovery could wait.
Niks smiled then, something subtle yet meaningful, and nodded once before returning to his meal. That look-whatever it was-lingered in her mind long after the conversation ended.
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