Page 16

SIXTEEN

HELENA

H elena’s heart contracted as she turned the door handle of the guest suite. She quickly walked out before she could change her mind or before she could see his face. A tear slipped down her cheek as she closed the door behind her.

The grand staircase stretched before her, polished marble steps winding down to the grand foyer. Helena descended quickly, her knees weak. Each step took her farther from Sol, and each breath became harder to draw.

What am I doing? The thought pounded in her head with every step. He’s unlike any man I’ve ever known. The way he looks at me and the way he treats me like I’m something precious...

By the time she reached the massive foyer, tears were flowing freely down her face. She wiped them away, but they kept coming, hot as the flames that had started all this.

The massive oak doors loomed ahead. Beyond them waited the car Victor had sent—a return to her old life, to the comfortable routine of chopping vegetables and crafting recipes. To normalcy.

But is that what I want anymore?

She paused for a brief moment, her hand on the ornate handle. Through the tall windows flanking the entrance, she could see the black sedan waiting in the circular drive, engine running, headlights cutting through the evening darkness.

“You’re actually leaving.”

Helena turned to find Deina standing behind her, her face etched with concern.

“I have to,” Helena whispered. “This isn’t my world.”

“It could be,” Deina said softly. “I’ve seen how you look at him.”

Helena closed her eyes, remembering the feel of Sol’s hands on her body, the way he’d coaxed pleasure from her she’d never known was possible. The way his eyes darkened when she challenged him, and the protective fierceness that radiated from him like heat.

“I don’t belong here. I’m a chef, not a—a supernatural queen.”

“You’re both,” Deina insisted. “I’ve never seen the Prince like this. In his hundreds of years of existence, he’s never looked at anyone the way he looks at you.”

Helena’s hand fell from the door. “I don’t even really know him.”

“But you feel it, don’t you? The connection?”

Helena nodded, another tear slipping down her cheek. “That’s what scares me.”

The car horn sounded outside. Reality calling.

Helena drew a deep breath and pulled the door open. “I need to go now.”

The early evening air hit her tear-stained face as she stepped outside. Helena walked down the circular driveway toward the sleek black sedan waiting for her, each step widening the distance between herself and the castle. Between herself and Sol. Her throat tightened as she forced herself not to look back. If she did, she might never leave.

The sunset cast elongated shadows across the manicured grounds, painting everything in warm oranges and deep purples. The sight was breathtaking, but all Helena could think about was the warmth of Sol’s skin against hers not too long ago.

A tall and willowy blonde woman dressed in a crisp black pantsuit stepped out from the driver’s side of the car. She smiled professionally and opened the rear door for Helena.

“Miss Divata? I’m Kinna. Mr. Sulick sent me to bring you back to the restaurant.”

Helena gave her a slight nod as she slid into the back seat. “Thank you.”

As the car pulled away, Helena finally allowed herself one backward glance. The castle stood proudly against the darkening sky, its stone walls catching the last rays of sunlight. Something inside her chest pulled, an invisible thread stretching painfully as they drove away.

“It’s incredible, isn’t it?” Kinna’s eyes met Helena’s in the rearview mirror. “I’ve never seen anything like it. Like something out of a fantasy novel.”

“It is,” Helena agreed, her fingers twisting in her lap. “How long have you worked for Victor?”

“Just a few months. He’s very particular about who handles his transportation.” Kinna navigated the winding road through the dense forest surrounding Sol’s estate. “You’re lucky to have been invited there. I’ve heard rumors about the place, but seeing it in person...” She whistled softly.

Helena stared out the window, watching the trees rush by. How strange that just days ago, she’d been a normal chef with normal problems. Now she was fleeing from a castle after sleeping with a wolf prince who claimed she was his destined mate.

And I can apparently start fires with my emotions. The thought made her heart beat a little faster.

After about twenty minutes, Kinna slowed the car and pulled onto a secluded turnout where another vehicle waited—a gleaming silver luxury SUV.

“Why are we stopping?” Helena asked, apprehension creeping up her spine.

“Just a quick change of cars,” Kinna explained, parking alongside the SUV. “Security protocol, Mr. Sulick said.”

Before Helena could question this further, the driver’s door of the SUV opened, and Victor stepped out. In his tailored navy suit, he looked every inch the successful businessman, but something in his smile made Helena’s skin prickle.

“Helena, dear.” Victor approached as Kinna opened her door. “I thought I’d come meet you personally. After everything you’ve been through, it seemed only right.”

Helena reluctantly stepped out of the sedan, instinctively wrapping her arms around herself against the evening chill. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”

Victor’s gaze swept over her, lingering for a moment too long. “I couldn’t trust your safe return to just anyone. You’ll be coming with me now.” He gestured toward the SUV, its engine purring quietly in the gathering dusk.

“I thought we were going back to the restaurant,” Helena said, not moving toward his vehicle.

“We are.” Victor’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. “But first, we have matters to discuss.”

A cold knot formed in Helena’s stomach. She hesitated at the edge of the road. Something felt wrong, yet she couldn’t place what exactly. Maybe it was just the stress of everything—discovering her powers, leaving Sol, and the intensity of the last few days catching up with her. With a deep breath, she climbed into the SUV’s passenger seat, the cool leather chilling her skin.

“I’m surprised you didn’t just come to the castle yourself,” she said as Victor slid behind the wheel. “Seems like an unnecessary detour.”

“I had some business in the area, and Kinna had to hurry to get to another pickup.” His eyes slid over to her, lingering on the curve of her neck before moving back to the road.

Helena shifted uncomfortably, tugging at her borrowed dress. The way he stared at her made her feel like an ingredient to be consumed rather than appreciated.

“I’ve been thinking more about the restaurant,” Victor said, guiding the SUV onto the main road. “With your expertise, we could make it extraordinary. Like I mentioned earlier, I’m prepared to invest in any upgrades you think the kitchen needs.”

“Really?” Helena raised an eyebrow, remembering how dismissive he’d seemed during the tour the other day. “That’s... very generous.”

“Top-of-the-line equipment, imported ingredients—whatever you require.” His knuckles whitened slightly on the steering wheel. “Your culinary vision is exactly what I’ve been looking for.”

“That’s quite different from how you acted before the fire,” she said cautiously.

Victor chuckled, a sound that didn’t match the intensity in his eyes. “The fire was clarifying for me. Made me realize what matters.”

They drove deeper into the forest instead of toward the city, the trees closing in around them. An uneasy warmth began to simmer beneath Helena’s skin, the familiar heat that preceded her flames.

“I’ve actually been following your career for years,” Victor continued, his voice smooth as oil. “Your fusion of traditional techniques with unexpected flavor combinations—it’s why I bought your restaurant in the first place. You were the draw, Helena, not the business.”

The heat beneath her skin intensified. There was something predatory in the way he spoke her name like he was tasting it.

“In fact,” Victor continued, his hand suddenly moving to rest on her knee, “I’d be willing to sign the restaurant back over to you.”

“What?” Helena stiffened, her eyes fixed on his unwelcome touch.

“I’d remain a silent investor, but creative control and ownership would be yours. All yours.” His fingers moved slightly up her thigh. “We just need to work very closely together.”

The meaning behind his words started to crystallize, sending a rush of anger through her veins. Heat surged beneath her skin responding to her emotions, fury calling to fire. This wasn’t generosity—it was a proposition.

“What exactly do you mean by ‘very closely’?” Helena’s voice was dangerously quiet, the temperature in the car noticeably rising.

Helena’s fingers dug into the leather seat as Victor’s hand rested heavily on her thigh, his implication hanging in the air between them. Her mind scrambled to interpret his words in the most innocent way possible.

“You mean you want to be in the kitchen with me? Collaborating on menus?” she asked, finding it difficult to keep her voice steady.

Victor’s laugh was cold and hollow, echoing in the confined space of the luxury SUV. “Oh, Helena. I’m not interested in recipes or restaurant operations.” His fingers traced small circles on her leg. “The collaboration I’m proposing has nothing to do with cooking—at least not the kind that happens in a kitchen.”

The car felt increasingly warm as her emotions stirred the fire within her.

“I know what you are,” Victor continued, his voice lowering to a husky whisper. “I saw what you did at the restaurant. That fire didn’t start from a kitchen accident.”

Helena’s heart thundered in her chest. Sol’s warning crashed through her mind like thunder: There are bad people out there who would use you, hurt you, even kill you for the power you possess.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she said, trying to shift away from his touch.

“Don’t play coy. It doesn’t suit you.” Victor’s grip tightened on her thigh. “Such remarkable power, and in a human, no less. Do you have any idea what we could accomplish together?”

Helena glanced out the window, panic rising as she realized they were deep in the forest, miles from any main road. The trees closed in like prison bars, their branches scratching at the darkening sky.

Why didn’t I listen to Sol? Why was I so stubborn?

“We’re not going to the restaurant, are we?” Her voice sounded small even to her own ears.

Victor smiled, his teeth gleaming in the dim light of the dashboard. “You’ll be staying with me from now on. Somewhere private where we can explore the full extent of your abilities without interruption.”

“So what was all that talk about Sol being paranoid. That he was trapping me to stay with him.”

“It’s all true,” he replied. “And I’m doing the same. You didn’t plan on going back to the castle, did you?”

She looked away. He was right. She hadn’t planned on going back. But she hadn’t thought Victor was as bad as Sol said.

“You lied to me,” she said. “All of our phone conversation was just to get me to leave.”

“And you did.” He grinned. “You should’ve listened to your prince.”

“I see why he kicked you out of the pack.”

His hand clinched on her upper thigh, and Helena’s stomach churned with disgust. Heat flared under her skin, racing through her veins like lava.

“Don’t touch me,” she warned, the leather seat beginning to warm beneath her palms.

“You’ll get used to it,” he said casually as if discussing the weather. “I have big plans for us, Helena. We could be the most powerful couple this world has ever seen.” He licked his lips, his eyes hungry and calculating. “Of course, that depends on your willingness to do exactly what I demand. But I promise you’ll enjoy it—eventually.”

Bile rose in Helena’s throat. Not only was he planning to use her powers, but his intentions went beyond that to something far more violating. The heat inside her surged, responding to her fury and fear.

Sol was right. He was right about everything.

“I’d rather burn this car to the ground than let you touch me again,” Helena hissed, feeling the first sparks of fire ignite at her fingertips. The sensation was becoming familiar now—a tingling warmth that gathered in her core and spread outward, seeking release.

Victor’s expression hardened. “That’s not how this works. You don’t have a choice anymore.” His hand moved higher still. “You foolishly walked away from your protector. Now you belong to me.”