<b>CHAPTER </b>36
<b>The </b>moment between Saphira and Niks shattered as a deep, strained sound filled the air–the second dragon, still bound, still trapped. The chain rattle against the creature’s massive frame, a quiet but desperate reminder that they weren’t done here yet.
Saphira and Niks snapped back to reality, the urgency of the moment pulling them forward. Without hesitation, they rushed toward the <b>bound </b>dragon scanning the restraints, searching for a way to break them.
Saphira hesitated for only a moment, looking up at Niks, whispering, “Is this Zafira?”
Niks shook his head, his golden eyes flickering with certainty. “No,” he answered, ncing toward the imprisoned creature. “They were here before I was
Saphira exhaled, pressing her lips together as she refocused on the task at hand. There were too many questions, too many mysteries to untangle right now -but Niks, sensing her thoughts, turned to her.
“We’ll figure all this out when we get home,” he assured her, offering a faint smile amidst the chaos.
Home.
She hadn’t realized how much she needed that word until now.
So much had happened. They needed to process<b>. </b>But not until they were safe. Not until they were home. And right now, they had onest thing to do. They had to free this dragon.
<b>As </b>soon as the dragon was free, its form shimmered, shifting until a man with short auburn hair stood in its ce. His movements were sluggish<b>, </b>his body weakened from who knew how long spent in chains. He swayed slightly before his gaze found Niks, his expression barely registering awareness.
“My name’s… Asher,” he whispered, voice barely more than breath.
And then–he copsed.
Niks moved instantly, catching him before he hit the ground, lifting him with effortless strength. But as he steadied the unconscious man in his arms<b>, </b>expression flickered–something strange, unreadable.
Saphira caught it.
A look–brief, but unmistakably off.
his
And then it was gone.
Niks turned to her before she could ask anything, his expression smoothing back to calm certainty. “Come on,” he said, voice steady. “Let’s get back.”
She hesitated for half a second but nodded, falling into step beside him <b>as </b>they left the ruins behind.
The journey home was silent.
But not heavy,
Neither of them spoke, neither tried to fill the quiet with words that weren’t needed.
And somehow<b>–</b>somehow, the silence wasn’t ufortable.
The moment they stepped through the gates of the pack’s stronghold, a wave of movement erupted around them.
Jed, Finn, Raven, and several warriors rushed forward, eyes wide, expressions torn between shock and relief. Their gazes flickered <b>between </b>Niks<b>–</b>who <b>was </b>supposed to be gone–and Saphira, standing fight beside him, strong, steady
“What the hell-” Jed started, looking Niks up and down as <b>if </b>expecting an illusion. Finn’s mouth opened and closed, at a <b>rare </b>loss <b><i>for </i></b>words, <b>while </b>Raven’s sharp eyes scanned Niks, checking for wounds, injuries–any sign of struggle.
<b>CHAPTER </b><b>36 </b>
Niks barely paused, his voice calm but firm as he shifted the unconscious man in his arms. Take him to the guest om. Keep AN PIE A wakes,<b>” </b>he instructed, handing Asher over to a nearby warrior.
<b>The </b>warriors wasted no time, carrying Asher toward the house with careful urgency. But the shock remained, thick in the air, fingering in caly I
<b>them</b>.
Niks turned to fed, Finn, Raven, and another warrior standing nearby. His tone was unwavering, leaving no room for argument. Meeting room, One bout.”
Jed exchanged nces with Finn, nodding immediately. Raven crossed her arms, processing, but didn’t question it.
They would get answers. Soon.
But not yet.
Without another word, Niks turned to Saphira, reaching for her hand. The warmth of his touch grounded her, steady and certain.
<b>She </b>barely had time to process it before he guided her forward, leading her through the house.
Straight to his room.
The door closed behind them, the quiet of the room pressing in like <b>a </b><b>cocoon</b>. Saphira turned to Niks<b>, </b>her mind swirling <b>with </b>everything <b>they </b>had <b>been </b>through, everything she still needed to <b>say</b>.
But the moment she parted her lips to speak, Niks moved.
Swift, deliberate–his hands cupped her face, pulling her toward him in one fluid motion.
And then his lips crashed onto hers.
Heat surged through her, intense, all–consuming. There was no hesitation, no uncertainty–just raw need, built from everything that had led <b>them </b>to this
moment.
Saphira responded instantly, matching his fire, pressing into him with the same desperate urgency. Their kiss deepened, their bodies molding into each other, hands grasping, pulling closer, never close enough.
Time blurred, lost in the fever of touch and feeling.
When they finally broke apart, their breaths came fast, heavy, mingling in the small space between them.
Foreheads pressed together, hands still clutching, steadying, grounding them in the reality of what had just happened.
Niks‘ voice was low, rough with emotion as he whispered against her skin. “You’re my true mate.”
Saphira’s chest tightened, her pulse pounding as the words settled deep inside her. But before she could speak, before she could even process the weight <b>of </b>it, Niks exhaled, voice softer now, reverent.
“You saved me.”
Her breath caught.
She had spent so long believing she was the one following him, chasing after him, trying desperately to bring him back. But in that moment–in the way his voice wavered, in the way his hands still held her like she was something <b>precious</b>–she knew.
He had needed her just as much.
And she had been enough. For him. For them. For everything that came next. And she would <b>never </b>doubt it again.
Saphira lifted her gaze, locking eyes with him, her voice steady, certain.
“You are my mate, and I will always be there by your side.”
She saw the flicker of emotion in his eyes, raw and unguarded.
Then, without hesitation, they kissed again–this time softer, deeper, full of promise.
And for the first time, neither of them felt alone.
Because they had each other.
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Phyllis Neel