Page 31 of Sun's Roar

“I did it!”

“You did.” Pride colored Sol’s voice as he moved to stand beside her. “Now make it smaller. Imagine drawing the energy back toward you, just a little.”

Helena furrowed her brow, concentrating on the flames. They hesitated, then shrank to a more manageable size.

“Perfect.” Sol circled her, his green eyes reflecting the firelight. “Now move it to the left side of the pit.”

With a flick of her wrist, the flames shifted. Helena laughed in disbelief. “This is incredible!”

“You’re incredible.” Sol’s expression was intense and hungry—the alpha fully present. “My Luna is a natural.”

The possessive claim in his voice should have bothered her, but instead, it felt natural and correct—as if some part of her had been waiting to hear those words all her life.

Helena couldn’t contain her excitement at this moment. The power surging through her veins felt right, like finding a part of herself that had been missing all these years. Without thinking, she threw herself at Sol, her hands clasping his face as she kissed him with newfound confidence.

His response was immediate and consuming. One hand tangled in her red hair while the other wrapped around her waist, pulling her flush against him. The kiss deepened, and Helena felt her fire respond, warming her skin from within. When they finally broke apart, both were breathing heavily.

“That was...” She traced her fingers over his jawline, feeling the perfect roughness of his beard beneath her fingertips.

“A proper way to celebrate.” Sol’s eyes gleamed with pride and something deeper, a hunger that made her stomach flutter.“Would you like to see something special? A place I’ve never shown anyone else.”

“Even after hundreds of years?” Helena teased, finding it easier to accept his impossible age now that she’d witnessed supernatural power firsthand.

Sol took her hand, his thumb brushing her knuckles. “This place has been mine alone. Until now.”

They ventured deeper into the woods, leaving the ceremonial clearing behind. Helena noticed how the forest seemed to part for Sol, branches bending away as if recognizing their alpha. The ground rose gradually beneath their feet, and the trees grew older, their trunks wider and more gnarled.

“How much farther?” Helena asked, ducking under a low-hanging branch that Sol held aside for her.

“Getting tired already?” His voice carried that teasing challenge that made her want to prove herself.

“Not even close.” She squeezed his hand. “Just curious what could be so special that the mighty alpha has kept it all to himself for centuries.”

“Patience.” He pulled her closer as they navigated a narrow path between two massive rocks. “Some treasures are worth the wait.”

The forest grew denser, the canopy overhead creating a cathedral-like filter for the golden afternoon sunlight. Helena breathed in the scent of pine and earth, feeling strangely at home despite never having been much of an outdoorswoman before.

“Listen,” Sol whispered, pausing their trek.

Helena held her breath, tuning her senses to the forest. At first, she heard nothing beyond the usual woodland sounds—breeze rustling leaves, distant bird calls—but then a new sound emerged: water, flowing fast and powerful.

“Is that a river?” she asked, following Sol as he guided her through a thicket of ferns.

“Something better.” His smile held secrets that made her pulse quicken. “We’re close now.”

As they climbed over a fallen log, Sol suddenly stopped, pulling Helena against his chest. His body tensed, alert in a way that reminded her this man was also a predator.

“What is it?” she whispered, scanning the trees.

“Nothing dangerous.” Sol’s lips brushed her ear, sending delicious shivers through her. “Just making sure we’re alone. This moment is only for us.”

TWELVE

HELENA

Helena followed Sol’s lead through the final stretch of dense trees until they emerged into a hidden paradise. The sight before her stole the breath from her lungs. A small but powerful waterfall cascaded down moss-covered stone into a crystal-clear pool that seemed to glow with an otherworldly blue light. Lush ferns and wildflowers surrounded the grotto, creating a private sanctuary hidden from the world.

“This is...” Helena struggled to find adequate words.

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