Page 8

EIGHT

SOL

S ol paced the length of the opulent dining room, his tailored suit accentuating his powerful frame. He could still feel the weight of Helena’s unconscious body in his arms as he’d rushed her into the castle.

The events of the night replayed in his mind like a frenzied montage...

“Dammit, Joshua, drive faster!” he’d growled, his wolf clawing at the surface desperate to protect its mate.

The SUV had just barely stopped before Sol was out, cradling Helena against his chest. Mitesh’s footsteps echoed behind him as they’d raced through the castle’s grand halls.

“Get the doctor. Now!” Sol had barked at a startled servant.

The royal physician’s words still rang in his ears. “Stress and exhaustion, Your Highness. No lingering smoke inhalation or burns. Let her rest.”

Sol’s fingers twitched at his sides, recalling how he’d traced Helena’s unmarred skin, relief flooding through him. His Luna, unharmed by her own flames. It was a good sign, but it also meant she was completely unaware of her true nature.

“How the hell am I supposed to explain this?” he muttered.

A knock at the door interrupted his brooding. “Enter,” he commanded, his voice rough with anticipation.

Deina, Helena’s assigned personal servant, stepped in with a curtsy. “Your Highness, Lady Helena is awake and bathing. She’ll join you shortly.”

Sol’s wolf perked up at the news. “Excellent. How is she?”

“Confused but calm. She believes you to be her new employer.”

A low chuckle escaped Sol’s lips. “Of course, she does. That’s going to be an interesting conversation.”

As Deina excused herself, Sol found himself drawn to the elaborate table setting. Two places, intimately close. Crystal glasses caught the light from the chandelier, casting prism-like shadows across the crisp white tablecloth.

“You’ve waited centuries for this moment,” he reminded himself, straightening his jacket. “Don’t screw it up.”

His mind wandered to the upcoming revelation. How would Helena react to learning she had magical fire powers and was his destined mate? The Luna of the Sunflare pack.

Sol’s eyes flashed with determination. “She’ll accept it. She has to.” His wolf growled in agreement, already recognizing its other half.

The scent of cinnamon and vanilla suddenly filled the air, signaling Helena’s presence outside the dining room doors. Sol’s body tensed, every nerve ending alive with anticipation. He moved to stand near the head of the table, forcing himself to appear relaxed and in control.

“Show time,” he murmured, a smirk playing on his lips. Whatever happened next, one thing was certain – life for both of them was about to change forever.

Sol’s heart thundered in his chest as Helena entered the dining hall. Her fiery red hair cascaded past her shoulders, framing her pale face. The green sundress Deina had chosen hugged Helena’s figure perfectly, and Sol’s wolf stirred within him, eager to claim its mate.

“You?” Helena’s voice, laced with shock and suspicion, cut through the air. “You’re the Prince?”

Sol’s jaw clenched as he fought to maintain control. Every instinct screamed at him to cross the room and take her in his arms, but he held back, remembering Joshua’s warning about human customs.

“What is this?” Helena demanded, her hazel eyes flashing with a mixture of confusion and anger. “First you show up at my restaurant making me believe you’re my new boss, then you somehow rescue me from the fire, and now I wake up in your castle? Are you stalking me or something?”

Sol took a deliberate step forward, his movements fluid and predatory. He couldn’t help the possessive gleam in his eyes as he gazed at her. “Helena,” he began, his voice low and confident, “I assure you, this is no laughing matter.”

“I want answers. Now,” she insisted, crossing her arms over her chest.

Sol’s lips quirked into a half-smile. Her fire matched his own, and it only made him want her more. “And you’ll have them. But first, won’t you join me for dinner?” He gestured to the elaborately set table.

Helena’s eyes narrowed. “I’m not sitting down until you explain what’s going on.”

Sol sighed, running his large hand through his dark locks. Patience had never been his strong suit, but for her, he could try. “Very well. I apologize for the confusion at the restaurant. I had no intention of deceiving you. As for the fire, I couldn’t stand by and watch you perish in those flames.”

“That doesn’t explain why I’m here,” Helena pressed.

Sol’s eyes locked onto hers, intensity radiating from every pore. “You’re here because you belong here, Helena. With me.”

She scoffed. “What are you talking about?”

“It’s not stalking when the object of your desire is your fated mate,” Sol declared, unable to hold the truth back any longer.

Helena’s brow furrowed. “Fated mate? I don’t know what that means.”

Sol took another step closer, his deep voice lowering to a husky whisper. “It’s like soul mates, or love at first sight. Only infinitely more powerful.”

“That’s ridiculous,” Helena shot back, though Sol noticed the slight catch in her breath. “And it’s certainly not a reason to kidnap a woman!”

“Kidnap?” Sol’s eyebrows shot up. “Helena, you’re not a prisoner here. You’re my guest, my destiny.”

Helena shook her head, taking a step back. “This is crazy. I don’t believe in destiny or soul mates or whatever you’re talking about.”

Sol’s wolf growled within him, urging him to make her understand. He closed the distance between them in two long strides, stopping just short of touching her. “Then let me prove it to you,” he murmured, his eyes searching hers. “Sit, enjoy this meal with me, and I’ll explain everything.”

For a moment, Helena seemed to waver, her gaze flickering between Sol’s face and the door. Sol held his breath, every muscle in his body tense with anticipation. He’d waited lifetimes for this moment. For her. He couldn’t bear the thought of her walking away now.

“I assure you,” he said, a smile spreading across his face, “our chef is one of the best. You’re in for a treat.”

As if on cue, servants entered with trays of steaming dishes. The aroma of perfectly seared meat and aromatic herbs filled the air. Sol noticed Helena’s nostrils flare, her resolve wavering.

“Well,” she said, her tone softening slightly, “I suppose I could stay for a quick bite.”

Sol’s smile widened as he pulled out her chair. “Excellent choice.”

As they settled into their seats, Sol found himself acutely aware of Helena’s proximity. Her scent was intoxicating. It took every ounce of his considerable willpower not to lean in and bury his face in the crook of her neck.

Instead, he focused on explaining more about his world. “Shifters, like myself, have a... heightened awareness, you could say. When we meet our fated mate, we know instantly through the mate bond.”

Helena raised an eyebrow, her fork paused midway to her mouth. “Mate bond?”

Sol nodded, his eyes intense. “It’s a bond deeper than anything humans experience. A connection between two souls no matter the distance or circumstance.” He paused briefly, studying her face. “Also, if these true mates separate, they’ll never have children or be sexually satisfied again. That pleasure, that fulfillment, can only come from each other?—“

“Hold up a second,” Helena interrupted, setting down her fork. “What exactly is a shifter?”

Sol leaned back, a predatory glint in his eye. “My pack, the Sunflare pack, can all turn into wolves.”

“Pack?” Helena echoed, her brow furrowing.

“My community,” Sol explained, his voice taking on a note of pride. “As their alpha, I’m responsible for their well-being and protection.”

He paused, watching her carefully. “And you, Helena, are our Luna. The woman destined to lead the pack alongside me.”

Sol could see the moment it became too much. Helena’s eyes widened, her breath quickening. Through their nascent bond, he felt the fire and heat simmering inside her, threatening to boil over.

“Right,” she said, her laugh tinged with hysteria. “Wolves and Lunas and magical bonds, oh my. Next, you’ll be telling me Hogwarts is real.”

Sol knew he should tread carefully, but his wolf was relentless, pushing him to make her understand. “Don’t you believe it now?” he pressed. “Now that your powers have awakened? You’re one of us, Helena.”

The shock on her face was immediate. Sol felt the heat within her spike, panic rising like a shrill crescendo. He could practically see the flames dancing behind her hazel eyes, begging for release.

His wolf howled in triumph. She was perfect, his fiery Luna. But the man in him recognized the fear beneath her bravado. He had pushed too hard and too fast.

“Helena,” he began, reaching for her hand across the table.

But she jerked away, her chair scraping against the floor as she stood. “This is completely insane,” she said, her voice trembling. “Wolves? Powers? Fated mates? Do you hear yourself?”

Sol rose slowly, his movements deliberate and non-threatening. “I know it sounds impossible,” he said, his tone gentle but firm. “But deep down, you feel it too. The connection between us, and the fire inside you begging to be unleashed.”

Helena shook her head, backing away. “No, I don’t feel anything except the urge to get as far away from here as possible.”

Sol watched Helena edge toward the door, his wolf snarling at him, demanding action. But centuries of control held him back. He took a deep breath, finally accepting his mistake as Mitesh’s words echoed in his mind: “Ease her into it, Your Highness. Humans aren’t accustomed to our world.”

“Helena, wait,” he said, stepping closer to her. “I know this is overwhelming, but there’s more you need to understand.”

She paused, her hand on the doorknob. “More crazy talk about wolves and magic?”

Sol’s lips twitched. Her inner fire certainly mirrored his own, even in disbelief. “Let’s talk about the fire at your restaurant.”

Helena’s eyes widened. “What about it?”

“You weren’t harmed, were you?” Sol took another tentative step closer, his eyes intense. “Not a single burn or scorch mark.”

“I... no, but-“

“And the flames,” Sol continued, “they felt familiar, didn’t they? Like they were a part of you.”

Her brow furrowed slightly. “How do you know that?”

Sol’s wolf preened at her admission. “Because those flames came from you, Helena. Your powers awakened on your 30th birthday, didn’t they?”

“My birthday...” Helena’s voice trailed off. “There was another fire. With the candles. But that’s impossible.”

“Is it?” Sol challenged, his voice husky with emotion. “Deep down, you know it’s true. You felt it both times, didn’t you? The connection to the flames.”

Helena’s shoulders sagged slightly. “This is so insane,” she muttered, but Sol could sense her resolve weakening.

“The Luna - that’s you - carries latent elemental powers that awaken on her 30th birthday,” Sol explained, taking another step toward her. “It’s why you’re here, Helena. You’re not just a chef anymore. You’re powerful. But that also makes you a target.”

Helena’s eyes snapped to his. “A target?”

Sol nodded slowly, thinking of Victor but deciding against mentioning him just yet. “There are those who would seek to use your abilities for their own gain. That’s why I brought you here. To protect you.”

Helena shook her head firmly. “This is too much. I don’t believe any of this. I’m leaving now.”

She turned the door handle to leave, and Sol’s control snapped. He couldn’t let her walk away. In two long strides, he crossed the short distance between them and grasped her wrist. “Helena, please-“

The moment his skin touched hers, Sol felt it again. The surge of heat and the crackle of energy in the air. Helena’s eyes widened in shock and anger.

“Let go of me!” she demanded.

Suddenly, flames erupted from her free hand, licking up the nearby curtains. His wolf howled at her magnificent power. But he forced his rational mind to focus on the situation at hand.

“Helena, calm down,” he urged, not releasing her wrist. “The fire won’t hurt you, but you need to control it.”

“I can’t!” Panic laced her voice as the flames spread.

Sol pulled her close, his body solid against hers. “Yes, you can. Feel the fire, Helena. It’s a part of you. Command it.”

Their eyes locked, green meeting hazel. Sol could feel her rapid heartbeat and smell the cinnamon and vanilla of her skin mixed with the smoky scent of her awakened powers. It was completely intoxicating.

“I...” Helena’s voice faltered.

“Trust yourself,” Sol murmured, his lips inches from hers. “Trust me.”

For a moment, the world stood still.