<b>CHAPTER </b><b>127 </b>


    Their room was quiet when they entered–the kind of quiet that wrapped around them like a nket, heavy with meaning. Saphira stepped in first, her boots barely making a sound against the wooden floor. The air felt still, reverent. No words passed between them. They didn’t need any. Everything that mattered was already humming between them, unspoken.


    Niks moved with purpose, crossing to the wardrobe. His fingers skimmed the hangers until he found what he was looking for: dark clothing–lightweight, tactical, silent. Saphira watched him, her gaze lingering on the way his shoulders tensed, the way his jaw clenched just slightly. <i>He’s </i>trying not to show it, she thought. Trying to be strong for me.


    She stepped beside him, her hand brushing his as she reached for the ck long–sleeved top he held out. Their fingers touched–brief, electric. She didn’t look at him, but she felt the shift in his breath.


    Saphira dressed quickly, stripping off her clothes and sliding into the dark gear. The fabric clung to her like armour. She pulled her hair back into a tight it, fingers working fast and sure. Her hands were steady.


    Niks knelt by the bed, retrieving a small, worn backpack–his own. She recognized it instantly, the faded stitching, the scuff marks. He held it out to her without a word. She took it, slinging it over one shoulder.


    She turned toward the door, her hand already reaching for the handle–ready to leave, ready to face whatever waited beyond.


    Niks caught her hand.


    She stopped, breath hitching. His grip was gentle, but firm. She turned to him slowly, her eyes searching his.


    He took the backpack from her, setting it down with deliberate care. Then his hands came up, cupping her face with a tenderness that made her knees weaken. His thumbs brushed her cheekbones, slow and reverent, like he was memorizing her.


    cheek


    Before she could speak, he kissed her–deep, fierce, full of everything he hadn’t said. Saphira melted into it, her hands gripping the front of his shirt, pulling him closer. His body pressed against hers, and she felt the tension, the need, the ache that had been building between them for days. <i>This </i><i>could be </i>the <ist </i>time, she thought, and the thought nearly broke her.


    But she pulled back, breathless, her forehead resting against his. “Niks,” she whispered, voice thick with emotion. “We need to go.”


    He sighed, his breath warm against her lips. His hands didn’t leave her face. “Promise me,” he murmured. “Promise me you’lle back to me.”


    Saphira lifted her hands to his face<b>, </b>cradling it gently. Her thumbs traced the curve <b>of </b>his jaw, grounding herself in the feel of him. She kissed him again- slower this time, more sure. “I promise,” she said. “I’lle back. And I’ll bring the others with me.”


    Niks nodded, his eyes searching hers like he was trying to see past the promise, into the future. “I won’t be able to mind link you with the distance,” he said quietly. “But the mate bond… it should be strong enough. If I feel even a hint of danger and you don’t contact me–I’lle for you.”


    Her heart clenched. Of course he would. <i>He’d </i><i>tear </i><i>the </i><i>world </i><i>apart </i>to reach me. She nodded. “I’ll keep in touch. But if something goes wrong… you cane. <b>Just </b>not alone.” Her voice dropped. “Promise me you won’t go alone if ites to that.”


    He hesitated, the weight of her words sinking in. Then he nodded. “I promise.”


    They kissed once more–onest moment, fierce and full of fire. Her fingers tangled in his hair, his arms wrapped around her like he could hold her there forever.


    Then Saphira picked up the backpack, slung it over her shoulder, and turned toward the door.


    Niks followed, his hand brushing hers as they walked side by side toward the pack house entrance.


    The front of the pack house <b>was </b>bathed in the soft grey light of early morning, the kind that made everything feel suspended–like time was holding its breath. Saphira stepped outside with <b>Niks </b>ay her side, boots crunching softly against the gravel. The air was cool, damp with dew, and the scent of pine clung to everything.


    Everyone was there.


    <b>Her </b><b>chest </b>tightened at the sight of them. They stood in a loose cluster, quiet but present, eyes heavy with emotion.


    Anastasia moved first, her steps quick and sure. She wrapped Saphira in a hug before she could speak, arms firm around her shoulders. “Be safe,” she whispered, voice thick. “I wish you didn’t have to go… but I understand. And I support you.”


    Saphira closed her eyes for a moment, letting herself lean into the warmth. She means it. She’s scared, <i>but </i><i>she’s </i>letting <i>me </i>go. She pulled back, her hands resting briefly on Anastasia’s arms. “Thank you,” she said softly. “For trusting me.”


    Before the silence could settle, Zafira stepped forward, her expression fierce and unwavering. She pulled Saphira into a hug that was all strength and certainty. “I have full faith in you,” she said. “You’re going to do great.”


    Saphira nodded, her throat tight. “I’ll bring them home,” she promised, voice low but steady.


    Zafira smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “Be careful,” she said, squeezing Saphira’s hand before stepping back.


    A car pulled up then, tires crunching against the gravel. Jed was behind the wheel, his usual smirk reced by something more serious. He climbed out, nodding to Niks and then to Saphira. “Flights arranged,” he said. “I’ll drive you to the airstrip. Once yound, you’re on your own. Your pilot won’t go past the border.”


    Saphira gave a sharp nod. <i>That’s </i><i>fine</i>. We don’t need <i>more </i>than <i>that</i><i>. </i>


    Jasper stepped forward, holding a rolled–up map in one hand. “Got theyout you were working on,” he said, handing it to her. “Marked the entry points and


    fallback routes.”


    She took it, fingers brushing his. Good. One less thing to worry about.


    Raven was already climbing into the car, her movements brisk, eyes scanning the treeline like she couldn’t stop calcting. Jasper followed, sliding into the back seat without a word.


    Saphira turned to Niks, heart thudding. He didn’t speak–just pulled her in, arms wrapping around her like he could shield her from everything. She buried her face in his chest for a moment, breathing him in. This is thest moment <i>before </i><i>everything </i>changes.


    He pulled back, brushing a strand of hair from her face, eyes locked on hers. No words. Just that look. That ache.


    She kissed him once–quick, fierce, immersing herself in the feel of him.


    Then she turned, climbed into the car, and shut the door<b>. </b>


    As they pulled away, Saphira twisted in her seat, watching through the rear window. Niks stood there, arms crossed, jaw tight. Anastasia and Zafira nked him, the others behind them. Silent. Steady.


    I’lle back, she thought. I <i>have </i>to.