It didn’t feel <b>like </b>a long time before led arrived to swap
shins with Niks and Saphira,
jed stepped insule, his sharp are immediatelynding on Zafira before flicking to Niks. “Any news?” he asked, his wire steady but lined with quiet
Niks stood, instinctively straightening, and Saphira followed suit, poshing off her chair as though shaking off the weight of sitting mill for too long.
“The doctor said she’s recovering quicker than expected.” Niks exined, his voice holding a touch more ease than earlier. “Hopefully, it won’t be lo
<b>Jed </b>exhaled, nodding. “I hope so. He reached out, cing a firm hand on Niks shoulder–a silent show of support. “Il call you if anything changes”
Niks nodded back, the unspoken understanding between them clear
Then, fed tamed to Saphira, his expression softening slightly. “How are you doing? <b>I </b>know it’s been fall on sinceing to the pack”
“It’s okay,” she admitted honestly. “Niks <b>has </b>been great, and.. I feel at home.”
She hadn’t expected those words toe so <b>easily</b>, but they did–and saying them felt right.
led smiled warmly<b>, </b>approval flickering i
g in his gaze. “That’s <b>good </b>to hear.”
“Once everyone’s back to health,” he murmured, amusement threading through his voice. “we’ll throw another party with the whole pack”
Saphira let out a breath of amusement, shaking her head <b>slightly </b><b>as </b>her lipa twitched into a small sexile. A party. The thought seemed duzant, albeit izzrcal after everything they <b>had </b>been through–but there was something measuring about it. A reminder that <b>life </b>would move forward. That healing woulda,
“Sounds like a n,” she replied, voice carrying a bit more lightness than before.
<b>Niks </b>turned toward her fully then, the faintest hint of a smirk <b>tugging </b>at his lips as his golden eyes locked onto hers. “Alright, shall we go?”
Saphica hesitated for just a brat, as if lingering in the moment, then nodded. “Yes”
She turned back to led, offering him a small nod of farewell. “See youter.”
Ind gave them both <b>a </b>knowing look, his stance steady, unwavering. “See you both at dinner
<b>Saphira </b>and Niks stepped out of the hospital, the crisp air brushing <b>against </b>her <b>skin</b>, grounding her in the moment. The tension of waiting had eased, leaving a quiet hall between them–one <b>that </b>felt lighter, hopeful.
Niks nced at her, stretching <b>his </b>shoulders slightly as he spoke. “Fancy some lunch?”
Saphira considered it for only a second before an <b>idea </b>sparked. “Yes, but can we do a pic?” She gestured toward the sky, the sun spilling warmth over the day. “It’s a lovely day<b>,</b>” she added <b>quickly</b>, her voice carrying a quiet excitement she hadn’t expected.
Niks‘ expression shifted–something thoughtful flickering across his face before he nodded. “Not a bad idea. Let’s get some food, then find <b>a </b>spot.”
Saphira’s and widened, a small spark of anticipatio settling in her chest.
She hadn’t ever had a proper pic withpany before–had never taken the time to enjoy something so simple.
As they <b>made </b>their way to the kitchens, they took a few containers, packing up the standard bullet food prepared for the pack daily. The prooves watery, Tamr, but when <b>Niks </b>pulled <b>out </b><b>a </b>pic basket, both of them staged at it Bar a beat for <b>long</b>.
Saphira inked. “We own one
<b>Niks </b>scoffed, inspecting the item with <b>mild </b>disbelief. “Apparently.”
Shelled outugh, shaking her head at the finished parking up the food
“Now we need a Hanket, Niks <b>said</b>, securing the lid of the basket before ncing at her “We can get out of the
Saphira free slightly, turning toward him. “Came room?
How had she not heard of this pane room before?
What was in it? Was it med often? The questions were endless, immediate
Niks” eyes widened slightly, realization crossing his face. “Uh. I’m so sorry, I haven’t shown you the best parts of the house.” He exhaled, r?king thei back of his neck. “We’ve been so caught up with everything I promise we’ll do it
Saphira namowed her eyes yfully, shaking her head. “Hey, it’s fine.” Then, lips curving into a grin, she added, “But I do want to see this pr
She stepped forward, her excitement berly contained, “Which way?”
Niksughed, the sound warm pl easy, echoing faintly down the corridor. “This way,” he <b>said</b>, gesturing for Saphira to follow.
She moved beside him, her gaze flickering briefly down the hall, scanning the rows of doors she had barely paid attention to before the had mumed they were meeting rooms or extra bedrooms–nothing special. But clearly, she had been wrong
Niks stopped at the first door, pushing it open effortlessly.
The moment they stepped inside, Saphira’s breath hitched slightly.
The mom was
On the far side<b>, </b><b>a </b>massive TV dominated the <b>wall</b><b>, </b>surrounded by plush, oversized chairs arranged for optimal viewing. To the right, <b>a </b>sleek bar stood. stocked and ready, <b>adding </b>a quiet luxury to the darkly decorated space.
“This is the movie room, Niks said <b>casually</b>, watching her reaction with amnement.
Saphira tumed slowly, taking it all in–the deep hunk of the walls, the carefully curated space designed forfort.
“We’ll arrange a night to watch some films soon,” Niks added, leaning against the back of one of the chairs.
Saphira tore her gaze away, grinning. “This is amazing I can’t wait.
ty was already po
pulling her toward the next darowery.
But curiosity was
She turned to <b>Niks</b>, eyes bright with anticipation. “Now the game room?”
<b>Niks </b>hued <b>a </b>quietugh, rolling his eyes <b>yfully</b>, “Come an
He led them to the next door in the corridor, opening it smoothly.
The contrast hit instantly
The decor was theplete opposite–bright<b>, </b>energytic, <b>filled </b>with sshes of colour.
-yer arcade machines lining
Saphira stepped <b>inside</b>, her eyes darting across the room–taking in the pool table, the table tennis setup, the mulin the walls, each standing tall and gleaming. Another <b>massive </b>TV sat at the far end; unsoles <b>neatly </b>arranged beneath it on the unit below
<b>She </b>was amazed
Nis folded his arms, sminking as he watched her soak it all in. “We can spend <b>a </b><b>day </b>in here with the <b>pack </b>at the weekend.”
Saphira turned to him, expression all of excitement.
“The pack meets a few times a week,” he continued, “but it’s most fun
Saphira didn’t hesitate. “Yes?” she said, her enthusiasm spilling out fully.
Niks chuckled, shaking his head slightly before moving toward a closet she hadn’t even anticed when the first entered.
He rummaged for only a few moments before pulling out a neatly folded nket. “Here we
Saphira was still marvelling at the room, almost reluctant to leave it behind, but Niks‘ woke brought her bark,
Ready for a pic?”
Saphira tore her eyes away from the convales, inhaling deeply before nodding
“Yeah, I might not leave otherwise,” she said, rushing toward the door before she lost herselfpletely in the game room.
Niksughed behind her, following easily, the sound lingering in the space as they stepped out.
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