Page 23 of Sun's Roar

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.

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