<b>CHAPTER </b><b>79 </b>


    The moment led’s voice crackled through the phone, low <b>and </b>unmistakably steady, both Saghire and sweet to the work were holding. She felt her chest loosen, the ache behind her ribs finally giving it a little, bs pressed to phone anchor what he feared might vanish again.


    “Jed,” Niks said, voice sharp with relief. “What the hell’s going on? Are you all okay<i>?</i>”


    or t


    “We’re fine,” came the calm reply on the other end. “We <b>just </b>regrouped–had to go dark for a while. That’s why I coulda deka


    Saphira leaned closer to Niks, watching his jaw work as he listened.


    “We’ve got something,” Jed continued. “I can’t go into details. Not here–not over this line. But it’s interesting Potentially se


    Niks’s brows drew together, tension still lingering in the lines of his shoulders. “Are you safe?”


    “For now,” Jed said. “We’re tracking one more lead. After that, we’re heading back.<i>” </i>


    Niks nced at Saphira then, a flicker of unspoken thought <b>passing </b>between them.


    “When should we expect you?” he asked.


    “By the end of tomorrow,” Jed replied. “Barring any surprises.”


    Niks gave a slow nod, even though Jed couldn’t see it. <b>“</b>Understood. <b>Just</b>–watch your backs.”


    “Always do,” Jed said, before the line crackled and went dead.


    Niks lowered the phone, silent for a moment, then let out another breath and looked at Saphira.


    “They’reing home.”


    She nodded, voice soft but certain. “We just have to wait a little longer.”


    Roseq=#/q


    The fire had burned low, the soft crackle now a quiet background hum to the tension still coiled between them. Niks leaned forward, elbows braced against his knees, the re of the hearth casting gold along the furrow of his brow<i>. </i>


    “I just want to know what they’ve found,” he murmured, more to the fire than to her. “If it’s finally enough to blow this. To eliminate the Matchmake maybe bring this to an end.”


    Saphira watched him from her spot on the sofa, one knee drawn to her chest, arms folded loosely. There was <b>a </b><b>subtle </b>shift in his voice–bope tangled steel. She understood it. Felt it too. But-


    “One step at a time,” she said gently, her voice cutting softly through the crackling wood. “Taking down the Matchmaker is the goal, yes–but that’s not the real challenge.”


    Niks turned his head, brow arched.


    She dropped her leg, leaning forward to meet his gaze. “It’s the Elders,” she said, slower now. “The ones who’ve kept their hands clean whule building al of this. The ones with influence buried so deep we’re only seeing shadows<b>.</b>”


    His jaw clenched again, and she could tell it wasn’t disagreement–just resistance. The kind that came from knowing she was right


    “And if any of them are connected to the Matchmaker,” she continued, “even indirectly, pulling that thread could unravel <b>more </b>than just <b>one </b><b>name</b>. It could copse the foundation they’ve built.”


    Niks exhaled slowly, the weight of it pressing <b>deep </b>into his chest. “We’ll need more than proof,” he said quietly. <b>“</b>We’ll need strategy. Support.


    Saphira nodded. “And time. Which is why we can’t lose ourselves chasing the finale before <b>we’ve </b>cleared the path. Whatever led <b>brings </b><b>back</b>–it’s a step. <b>Not </b>the answer. But maybe… the beginning of one<b>.</b>”


    A long moment passed between them.


    Then Niks reached across the space, his hand covering hers on the cushion between them.


    “We’ll finish this,” he said. “Even if it has to be in pieces.”


    Saphira squeezed his hand gently. “Especially in pieces. That’s how truth usually reveals itself.”


    The fire had burned low now, casting a muted orange glow over the edges of the room, painting Saphira’s features in quiet warmth. Thest conversation still lingered in the air, but something in Niks‘ posture had softened–a subtle unravelling of tension she hadn’t realized she’d been watching for.


    He stood from the arm of the sofa, stretching slightly before turning to her with a wry smile tugging at one corner of his mouth.


    “Enough serious talk,” he said, voice lower now, casual but sincere. “We haven’t had dinner together properly in a while. Let’s change that.”


    Saphira blinked, then smiled, pushing herself upright with a gentle groan. “Are you saying this is the first step in our ‘quality time initiative?”


    Niks chuckled and offered a half–shrug. “Could be. We eat, then maybe a movie. Or a game, if you’re feelingpetitive.”


    She tilted her head, pretending to weigh it. “Movie or game… we’ll decide after food. I’m reserving judgment until I see what’s on the menu<b>.</b><b>” </b>


    “Fair enough,” he said, stepping close.


    Before she could quip back, his hand found the side of her jaw, warm and grounding. He leaned in and kissed her<b>–</b>a slow, grateful press of <b>lips </b>against hers. When he drew back, the look in his eyes was gentler.


    “Thank you,” he said quietly. “For staying. I know you didn’t have to.”


    Saphira’s gaze held his, steady and full of something unspoken. “I wanted to.”


    He nodded, then stood and offered his hand. She took it without hesitation, her fingers threading easily through his as they stepped out of the office, moving in sync.


    The hallway was dim, hushed with the hour, their footsteps soft against the wood as they made their way toward the dining room–shoulders brashing, hearts slower now, steadier.


    The dining hall buzzed with low chatter and the soft clink of cutlery against tes. The long oak tables were half–filled, lit by the golden glow of suspendednterns that flickered gently overhead. Saphira stepped inside with Niks beside her, the two of them still shaking quiet of the office and the embers of everything unspoken.


    The rich scent of roast vegetables, garlic, and freshly baked bread/curled through the air, and her stomach gave a quiet, traitorous twist. It had <b>been </b>hours since she’d eaten. Maybe longer.


    They moved toward their usual corner–one of the smaller tables, tucked near the window, quiet and just removed enough to feel like theirs.


    But before they reached it, Saphira slowed.


    <b>A </b>few pack members–Sam, Kira, and Talia–were gathered around arger table just off–centre,ughing over something she couldn’t quite hear, nudging each other as they picked at second helpings and eyed the dessert tray near the hearth.


    Saphira looked at them, then back to the table she and Niks were heading for. She hesitated.


    She’d always stayed on the periphery. Observing. Participating only when needed. But the truth was–this was her pack now, not just her past. And <b>it </b>couldn’t all be strategy and survival.


    She touched Niks’s arm, halting him. “Let’s sit with them,” she said quietly.


    He arched a brow. “Are you sure?<b>” </b>


    <b>She </b>nodded, alteady shifting direction. “Yeah, I need to start actively being a part of this pack.”