Page 52 of Sun's Roar

“He won’t have her for long,” Sol cut him off. “Position our best archers in the eastern towers. I want a clear shot if Victor tries to use Helena as a shield.”

The old advisor nodded. “And what of you?”

Sol’s eyes flashed golden as his wolf pushed forward. “I’ll lead the ground force personally. Victor’s mine.”

“Be careful,” Mitesh warned. “If he’s managed to tap into any of the Luna’s power?—“

“He hasn’t,” Sol insisted, feeling the bond pulse inside him. “She’s fighting him. I can feel it.”

As his pack organized around him, Sol stepped away for a moment, staring toward the eastern forest where Helena would soon appear. The mate bond thrummed strong, a connection that couldn’t be severed by distance or circumstance.

“Hold on just a little longer, beautiful,” he whispered into the evening air.

Sol’s muscles tightened as Victor finally approached with his makeshift army. He counted twelve shifters—all now in human form and dressed in hastily donned clothes—fanned out in a semi-circle behind their leader. In the distance, he saw a familiar-looking female was being guarded. If he was correct, she was a coworker of his Luna. Victor’s way of controlling Helena.

In their center stood Helena, her magnificent red hair blazing like a beacon in the moonlight. Her hands weren’t bound, which struck Sol as overconfident on Victor’s part.

The sight of her ignited something primal in Sol’s chest. His wolf snarled beneath his skin, begging for release to tear into the man who dared touch what was his. His muscles coiled with the effort of restraining his shift as Victor sauntered forward, a smug grin twisting his face.

“Evening, Your Highness,” Victor called out, his voice dripping with false cordiality. “Beautiful castle you’ve maintained. I’m looking forward to redecorating.”

“You have exactly ten seconds to let my Luna go before I tear your throat out,” Sol growled.

Victor laughed, placing a possessive hand on Helena’s shoulder that made Sol’s vision flash red. “Always the diplomat. I have a proposition that might interest you more than suicide.”

Sol’s eyes locked with Helena’s. Despite her situation, she didn’t look frightened—instead, her hazel eyes blazed with a determination that made his heart swell with pride. Their mate bond hummed between them, stronger than ever.

“I’m offering a simple trade,” Victor continued. “The Luna and her friend for your abdication. Step down as alpha, acknowledge me as the rightful leader of Sunflare, and they walk free.” A smile twisted his lips. “Refuse, and we burn every pack member in sight.”

Sol felt his pack bristle around him, barely containing their rage. His wolf demanded blood.

Then he felt it—a warm pulsing sensation through the mate bond. Helena gave an almost imperceptible shake of her head, her eyes communicating volumes. Through their connection, he sensed an unexpected emotion: confidence. Not fear, not desperation, but absolute certainty.

Trust me. I have a plan.

The message wasn’t words exactly, but intentions and emotions flowing through their strengthened bond. She knew something he didn’t.

Sol straightened to his full height, power radiating from him in waves that made even Victor’s wolves shift unconsciously backward.

“You bring twelve pups to my doorstep and expect me to hand over centuries of leadership?” Sol laughed, playing for time while scanning Helena’s posture for clues. Her hands were relaxed at her sides and her stance solid. “You always were delusional, Victor.”

Victor’s face darkened. “I brought more than wolves. I brought your precious Luna, who’s going to fuel my ascension.”

“Really?” Sol raised an eyebrow, the corner of his mouth lifting in a dangerous smile. “Because from where I’m standing, you brought me a gift.”

The confidence in Helena’s eyes confirmed what Sol suddenly understood with crystal clarity. Victor hadn’t tamed her fire—he had delivered a weapon right into the heart of hisoperation. A weapon bonded to Sol’s soul, who now silently promised him she knew exactly what she was doing.

“Last chance,” Victor snarled. “Abdicate or watch your pack die.”

Sol crossed his arms, his eyes never leaving Helena’s. “I think we both know that’s not going to happen.”

Victor leaned into Helena and put his hand on her lower back, whispering something into her ear. Sol’s enhanced hearing caught fragments—“burn him”...”show your power or your friend dies”—but not the entire command. His muscles tensed, every instinct demanding he tear Victor apart for daring to touch Helena. Yet Helena’s gaze never wavered, her eyes locked with his in a silent plea:Trust me. Follow my lead.

Through their strengthening bond, Sol felt her resolve—steady and unwavering. His wolf paced inside him, bristling at being asked to stand still when its mate was in harm’s way. But Sol forced himself to wait. In the two centuries of his life, waiting had never been his strength. But for Helena, he would.

“I have to get nearer to him,” she said loudly to Victor. “Have him within my grasp to make sure he burns completely. Then you’ll let Tyanna go.”

Victor chuckled, glaring at Sol. “Absolutely, Luna.”

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