Sunlight streamed through the window in slender fibbons, casting gold along the edge of the bedsheets, Saghire Wicked exce beneath the warm weight of the nket. The morning was calm, still wrapped in the softness of a night withovers on d
Niks emerged from the bathroom, a towel slung around his neck, hair still damp. He nced over and smiled, eyes get borse ‘bran
She hummed in reply, voice still sleep–warmed, “Morning.”
He crossed the room and perched on the edge of the bed, resting a hand lightly on her call through the Market, “the you have a good care
Saphira’s lips tugged into a grin. “I did. You?”
He gave a mock groan. “Other than being humiliated at my own game? Absolutely,”
Sheughed, propping herself up on her elbows. “You weren’t that bad.”
Niks lifted a brow. “You and Talia annihted us. I haven’t seen Sam look that betrayed since someone drank hisst coffee.
“That was a good team–up,” she mused, remembering the way she and Talia had clicked the <b>first </b>game night they had–mark and strategy wosen to move in the game room. “Girl’s rule, boys sulk.”
“She did throw thatst card with a little too much dramatic ir<i>,</i>” Niks muttered.
Saphira smirked, then tilted her head. “Speaking of Talia–why does Sam keep teasing her about Jasper? He said something about moody stares and unspoken longing‘ like he was quoting some bad romance novel.”
Niks exhaled a shortugh, leaning back against the headboard. “Honestly? I don’t know the full story. But there’s something weird going on there. The way they circle around each other… it’s like they’re trying not to acknowledge something that’s already screaming between them.”
“You think they’re mates?” she asked, brows raising slightly.
“I think they might be,” he said. “Or they could’ve been. There’s tension, for sure–but neither of them will <b>admit </b>to anything. They barely even made ee contact when they’re in the same room. And then suddenly they’re arguing over thest apple like it’s a metaphor for their entire rtionshopp
Saphira grinned, drawing the nket tighter around her shoulders as she settled back beside him. “Well. That sounds like a they problem.”
Niks chuckled, brushing a strand of hair from her cheek. “Definitely not volunteering to referee that.”
Saphira stood near the dresser, one arm through her shirt, hair still sleep–mussed as she buttoned it up slowly. Light pooled across the floor in pale gold, catching the edge of Niks‘ reflection in the mirror as he rolled down his sleeves.
“What’s on your grand Alpha agenda today?” she asked, ncing over her shoulder with a small smirk.
Niks let out an exaggerated sigh and crossed the room in two strides, his hands suddenly at her waist before she could step away. “A thrilling day of pack finances,” he said, his voice a touch too solemn to be sincere. Then, without warning, he pulled her down onto the bed in a sweeping movement, the two of themnding with a bounce.
Saphira let out a startledugh as she fell back into the pillows, her braid flopping over her shoulder. “You’re ridiculous.”
“And underappreciated,” he said, bracing himself above her briefly before brushing his nose against hers.
She grinned and gently pushed at his chest until he rolled to the side, the bed creaking beneath them. “Well, I guess I’ll leave you to your spreadsheets and misery,”
Niks lifted a brow. “And you? What’s on your non–boring list<b>?</b><b>” </b>
<b>She </b>propped herself up on one elbow. <b>“</b><b>I </b>was going to stop by and <b>see </b>Anastasia. She’s out of the hospital now. It feels like the <b>right </b><b>time </b>to talk
He watched her for a beat<b>, </b>something thoughtful passing through his expression.
“But,” she added, “I could help with paperwork after. If you want.”
Niks shook his head slowly, reaching out to tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “No–you should go. Build that rtionship. She deserves the chance, and so do you.”
Saphira looked at him, the quiet sincerity in his tone warming something deep in her chest.
“You trust her?” she asked softly.
“I think she’s proven she can be trusted,” Niks said. “And I think she wants to make things right. Or at least… be part of your world, however you’ll let her.”
Saphira nodded slowly, pressing her fingers into the edge of the pillow. She hadn’t fully admitted how much that visit meant. But now, with his quiet support behind her, it didn’t feel so heavy. Just necessary.
Saphira had just shifted beside him to fix the cuff of her sleeve, her weight propped on one elbow, when Niks reached for her with zero warning- sliding behind her back as he pulled her flush against him.
She let out a quiet, breathy “oof” as shended partially atop him, her braid slipping forward against his chest.
“Was that necessary?” she asked, though her lips were already curling into a smile.
“Completely,” he murmured, one hand curling around her hip as the other found its way to the back of her neck. He kissed her<b>–</b>stow and intent–like he had nowhere else to be, like the entire day could wait on this moment.
Then, with a motion so smooth it made herugh, he rolled, flipping them so she was beneath him, hair fanned across the pillow, breath caught half between amusement and heat.
“Niks,” she said between augh and a gasp<b>, </b>eyes wide with mock sternness, “you do realize you’re not getting much work done in this position.”
He chuckled, the sound low and entirely unapologetic. “On the contrary,” he said, leaning in, brushing his mouth just above hers. “This might be my most productive moment all day.”
And then he kissed her again–deeper this time, the kind that made her forget about the world around them.
Theyy there a moment longer before finally stirring. Niks sat up first, brushing a kiss against her temple before standing to finish dressing, and Saphira followed, smoothing her shirt and reaching for her boots with practiced ease.
When they stepped into the hallway, the kitchens.
hum of pack life had already begun to rise–footsteps, murmured greetings, the asional sh of dishes from the
As they reached the hallway outside Anastasia’s room, Niks stopped, turning to face her. His thumb brushed lightly across the edge of her sleeve.
“Meet me after?” he asked. “The clearing. Just after two. I want to work with your dragon a little–get a sense of how you’re syncing before Jed gets back.”
Saphira smiled, something steady warming in her chest. “I’ll be <b>there</b><b>.</b><b>” </b>
He kissed her then, slow and brief<b>, </b>before stepping back and letting her go.