Page 65 of Sun's Roar

The engine roared to life beneath his touch, and Helena felt her body respond reflexively. There was something positively primal about the way his tanned hands gripped the steering wheel, and the way his muscles flexed as he shifted gears. The wind tousled his dark hair as they accelerated onto the highway, and Helena couldn’t help staring at his profile—the strong jaw, the sexy beard, and the intensity in his eyes.

“You’re staring,” he noted without looking at her.

“Can’t I appreciate my ridiculously handsome mate?”

His lips curled up into that crooked smile that never failed to make her heart race. “Appreciate all you want.”

Helena’s phone rang, interrupting the moment. “It’s Mom,” she said, glancing at the screen.

“Helena, sweetheart! How are you feeling?” Her mother’s voice came through the car speakers.

“Like I’m housing a circus in my uterus,” Helena replied, wincing as one of the twins delivered a particularly powerful kick. “They’re active today.”

“Well, considering who their parents are, I’m not surprised. Fire-wielding wolf babies are bound to be energetic.”

Helena smiled, still amazed at how well her mother had taken the revelation about her supernatural status. After the initial shock—and a few singed curtains during the explanation—her mom had embraced Helena’s new life with open arms.

“Sol taking good care of you?” her mother asked.

“I guard her with my life,” Sol answered before Helena could, his tone deadly serious despite the casual conversation.

Helena rolled her eyes fondly. “See what I deal with? Alpha male overprotectiveness 24/7.”

They were turning onto the long drive that led to the castle when Helena felt something shift inside her. A warm gush of fluid suddenly soaked the car seat beneath her.

“Mom, I need to call you back,” she said abruptly, ending the call as she stared down in shock. “Sol?—“

He had already noticed, his nostrils flaring as he picked up the scent. His entire body tensed, his hands gripping the wheel so tightly his knuckles whitened.

“Your water broke.”

Helena nodded, a mixture of excitement and terror flooding through her. “The seats?—“

“Forget the seats,” Sol growled, accelerating with enough force to push her back against the leather. “My mate and pups come first.”

A contraction rippled through her abdomen—mild but unmistakable. This was really happening.

“They’re coming,” Helena whispered, her hand finding his thigh as their castle came into view. “Our babies are coming.”

Helena gripped the door handle as Sol accelerated up the winding driveway to their castle, the tires kicking up gravel beneath them. Another contraction rolled through her body, sharper this time, and she instinctively pressed her hand against her swollen belly.

“How far apart?” Sol demanded, his voice tight with concern as he maneuvered the sports car with one hand while the other reached for his phone.

“About fifteen minutes, I think.” Helena tried to maintain her composure, but fear and excitement battled within her. After months of preparation, reading every book on wolf shifter births, and countless conversations with Dr. Lyra, the reality of bringing two new lives into the world struck her with full force.

Sol barked commands into his phone, his usual authoritative tone amplified by urgency. “Lyra, it’s time. Meet us at thebirthing suite. Now.” He didn’t wait for a response before ending the call and accelerating faster.

Helena watched the castle grow larger through the windshield, its ancient stone walls never looking more like home than in this moment. “I hope everything’s ready,” she murmured, mentally checking off the birthing plan they’d meticulously crafted.

“Everything has been prepared for weeks.” Sol’s hand found hers, warm and steady. “My Luna will have the best care and the best environment, everything she needs to bring our pups safely into this world.”

The possessive edge in his voice made her inner wolf purr despite the discomfort. It still amazed her how quickly that part of herself had integrated after their mating.

When they reached the entrance, Joshua was already waiting, alerted by Sol’s call. Before Helena could even reach for her door handle, Sol had circled the car and scooped her into his arms.

“I can walk,” she protested weakly, though the protective warmth of his chest felt wonderfully secure.

“Not while I have strength in my body.” His eyes flashed with determination as he carried Helena’s pregnant frame through the grand foyer, pack members parting respectfully before them.

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