Page 38 of Sun's Roar

“Exactly why I need your input. We have the budget now. I want to make it perfect for you to run.”

The way he said it—as though her return was inevitable—made Helena pause. She glanced around the opulent suite, thinking of Sol and his intensity, and his conviction that she belonged here. Yet her restaurant, her career, and her normal life all pulled at her.

“That’s... thoughtful,” she managed. “The hood system always needed upgrading, and the prep counter space was too limited.”

“See? Invaluable information. I knew I couldn’t do this without you.” Victor’s voice took on an edge of excitement. “The sooner we can meet to discuss the plans, the faster we can get Ember & Spice back to full operation.”

She felt torn between two worlds—the familiar comfort of her restaurant and the wild, magnetic pull of Sol and his castle. Her fingers traced the intricate pattern on the armchair, a world away from the stainless-steel counters of her kitchen.

“Are you still there?” Victor asked.

“Yes,” she said, gathering her thoughts. “Thank you for worrying about me. And for caring about getting the restaurant right.”

“If you’re feeling trapped, I could arrange transportation,” Victor said quickly, his voice smooth as silk through the phone. “I’m sure Sol has told you that you can’t leave. That you can’t see your friends anymore. Has he dictated for you to remain at his side for your safety?”

“Yes. How did you know that?” she asked, sitting straighter.

He sighed. “That’s one of the things I argued with Sol about. He thinks everyone is out to get him. That the world is made up of villains.”

That’s exactly what she thought just a minute ago.

Victor continued. “He thinks anyone not under his control is evil, and he’s brainwashed the pack to remain under his thumb. I tried to make him see reason, make him see what he was doing to our people, and he banished me from the pack for it.”

Indignation rose in her. “That’s not fair,” she said.

Victor chuckled. “One thing Sol isn’t, is fair. It’s his way or the highway. His ego is bigger than Texas.”

“Yeah,” she said. “I’ve noticed that.”

“So, anyway, I can send my driver to collect you. It would be no trouble at all. We’ll have you back in time for dinner with His Royal Highness…if that’s what you want.”

Helena gripped the phone tighter. This was her chance to escape back to normalcy. Back to the world of sizzling pans and aromatic spices rather than magical flames and paranoid wolfprinces. Her gaze drifted back to the ornate windows where sunlight spilled across the medieval stonework.

A part of her—a frighteningly growing part—wanted to stay. Sol’s intense green eyes suddenly flashed in her thoughts, and the memory of his strong hands on her body sent heat rushing to her cheeks. The way he looked at her made her feel like the center of the universe.

But was that enough reason to abandon her entire life?

She twisted her red hair around her finger, weighing her options. Sol was clearly overprotective, maybe even possessive. His insistence that she belonged here and that she couldn’t return to her old life—it not only irritated her but it threatened her independence. He might be an alpha wolf prince, but she wasn’t some damsel to be ordered around.

“Helena?” Victor prompted. “You still there?”

“Yes,” she answered, her mind finally made up. “I would appreciate that, actually. I need to get back to the restaurant.”

“Excellent. I can have someone there in...” Victor paused briefly. “An hour?”

Helena’s lingering guilt gnawed at her conscience. The restaurant fire—her fire—had endangered everyone’s livelihoods. “I need to make this right,” she murmured, more to herself than Victor.

“What was that?”

“Nothing,” she said quickly. “An hour sounds perfect.”

“Until then.” The line went dead before she could thank him.

Helena lowered the phone and exhaled slowly. She’d made her decision. The practical choice. The responsible choice.

The sound of porcelain clinking made her head snap up. There in the corner stood Deina, arranging a tea service Helena hadn’t noticed before. The woman’s face remained perfectly neutral, but her rigid posture spoke volumes.

Heat crept up Helena’s neck as she realized Deina must have heard everything. She hadn’t left the room at all. The woman’s silent presence made Helena feel like she’d been caught betraying a confidence.

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