<b>CHAPTER 114 </b>
The door mmed open with a sharp thud, the sound ricocheting off the broken walls. <b>Saphira </b>flinched, her body still humming with residual adrenaline. Jed, Zafira, and Anastasia rushed <b>in</b><b>, </b>their eyes darting across the wreckage before locking onto her.
“What the hell happ-” Jed’s voice faltered as his gaze swept the room. His boots crunched over shattered ss, and his jaw ckened. “Stars…”
Zafira stepped forward, her brows furrowed, lips parted in disbelief. “What on earth happened<b>?</b><b>” </b>she asked, her voice tight with shock,ced with the kind of worry that made Saphira’s chest ache.
Saphira parted her lips to answer, but Anastasia beat her to it, eyes wide and searching. “We felt the pack house shake. The noiseing from here–it wasn’t good. Everyone’s gathered outside. They’re
scared.”
Saphira blinked, her throat tightening. <i>They </i><i>felt </i><i>it</i>. <i>All </i>of <i>them</i><i>. </i>She hadn’t realized how far the impact had reached–how deeply it had rippled through the pack.
Zafira gestured toward the hallway, her tone sharpening. “I saw Ruby being taken by the warriors. I’m guessing this was about her?”
Niks stepped in, his presence a steady anchor. He wrapped his arm around Saphira’s shoulders, and she leaned into him instinctively, the warmth of his touch grounding her. He’s <i>here</i><i>. </i><i>He </i><i>saw </i>it <i>all</i><i>. </i>
<i>And </i><i>he’s </i><i>still </i><i>with </i><i>me</i><i>. </i>
“The room looks like this because Saphira and Finn protected the pack,” Niks said, his voice rich with pride. “Ruby lost control. Her wolf surfaced. But thanks to Raven’s truth spell, we’ve got intel
now.<i>” </i>
A collective breath filled the room–relief, tension unwinding. Anastasia didn’t hesitate. She crossed the space in two quick strides and pulled Saphira from Niks’s side into a fierce embrace. Her arms
trembled around her.
“I was so worried about you,” she whispered, voice cracking against Saphira’s ear.
Saphira closed her eyes, letting herself be held. She hadn’t realized how much she needed this–how
much she needed them.
Jed cleared his throat, stepping forward with a glint in his eye. “We’ve got more good news. And
more intel.”
Everyone turned toward him, anticipation blooming–except Raven, who stood beside him with a knowing grin tugging at her lips.
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CHAPTER <b>114 </b>
Jed’s smile widened. <b>“</b>Ruby won’t be alone in the cells<b>.</b><b>” </b>
Zafira’s eyes narrowed, her voice sharp. “Who<b>?</b><b>” </b>
Raven’s reply was smooth, almost smug. “Damon.”
Niks stiffened beside Saphira, his grip tightening slightly. “What? How?<b>“. </b>
Jed’s grin turned razor–sharp. “We followed him. Listened. Waited. He was alone. No protection. We took the opportunity.”
Saphira’s breath caught. Damon. In custody. Her mind spun with the implications–finally, a <b>chance </b>to unravel the deeper threads, to expose what had been lurking beneath the surface.
Jed shrugged, casual but confident. “He hasn’t said anything yet. But we’ll get there. Together.”
Saphira met Raven’s gaze, and for the first time in hours, something stirred in her chest. Not just relief.
Hope.
Niks ran a hand through his hair, his gaze sweeping over the room’s exhausted faces. His voice was steady, but carried a warmth that softened the edges of the chaos. “I think we all deserve a break,” he said. “I’ll speak to the rest of the pack. Then we should catch up over lunch.”
Saphira nodded, her shoulders rxing slightly. A moment to breathe. To feel normal again–even if just for a little while. Her fingers flexed at her sides, still tingling from the shift, but the idea of food and quiet conversation felt grounding.
The others murmured their agreement, and Niks reached for her hand. His palm was warm, steady, and she curled her fingers around his instinctively. Together, they stepped out of the ruined office and into the hallway–only to be met by a wall of worried faces.
Saphira straightened, spine tall, chin lifted. Her heart thudded, but she didn’t let it show. Niks mirrored her posture, his presence calm andmanding.
“It’s nothing to worry about,” he said, addressing the crowd with quiet authority. “The tremor you felt was Saphira protecting everyone against an intruder who wormed her way into the pack. She’s been outed and is now being held in the cells.”
A ripple of murmurs passed through the group–shock, relief, curiosity. Saphira caught the flicker <b>of </b>concern in a few eyes, the way some clutched their children closer or exchanged nces.
Niks continued, “If anyone would like to discuss any fears or concerns privately, you’re <b>wee </b>toe to me or Saphira. But for now, no one is to enter the office until <b>it’s </b>repaired.”
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<b>CHAPTER </b><b>114 </b>
Saphira scanned the crowd, her gaze catching nods <b>of </b>understanding, soft <b>sighs</b><b>, </b>and <b>even </b><b>a </b><b>few </b>grateful smiles. <i>They </i><i>trust </i>him. They <i>trust </i>me. That’s <i>what </i><i>matters</i><i>. </i>
“Apologies for the worry,” Niks added, his tone gentler now. “But you’re all safe<b>. </b><b>Go </b><b>about </b><b>your </b>day as normal.<b>” </b>
The crowd began to disperse, some offering quiet thanks, others giving Saphira small nods of <b>respect </b>as they passed. She felt the tension in her chest begin to ease, her breathing easier.
Niks leaned in, brushing a kiss against her temple. “Come on,” he whispered with a wink. “Let’s
eat.”
Saphira smiled, warmth blooming in her chest. They walked together, the others trailing behind<b>. </b><b>The </b>hallway felt brighter now, less heavy.
As they reached the end of the corridor, she nced back.
Jed and Raven lingered at the rear, their steps slower. She caught the moment Jed slipped his arm around Raven’s shoulders, pulling her close. Raven didn’t resist–she leaned in, her smile soft and private.
Saphira’s smile deepened. She’d bring it upter. For now, lunch sounded perfect.
The dining hall buzzed with the low hum of movement–chairs scraping, footsteps echoing against polished stone, the clink of serving utensils. Saphira stepped inside, the scent of roasted meat and fresh bread hitting her like a wave. Her stomach tightened in response, a quiet ache she hadn’t noticed until now.
She moved toward the buffet, fingers brushing the edge of the long oak table as she passed. Her hand hovered for a moment before she reached for a te, stacking it with practiced efficiency.
They made their way to one of the long tables at the centre of the hall<b>, </b>settling equally down each side. Saphira slid into her seat, the wood cool against her legs, and ced her te down with a soft clink. Across from her, Finn mirrored the motion, his gaze flicking to hers with a silent
understanding.
The moment she picked up her fork, instinct took over. She dug in, the first bite sending warmth through her chest, Finn followed suit, chewing with the same quiet urgency.
She didn’t look up, but she felt the others watching. Not judgmental–just observant. Jed, Raven, Niks, and the rest sat quietly, their tes full but untouched for a moment longer. Then, one by one, they began to eat, the silence stretchingfortably between them.
No one spoke. No one needed to.