Forged in the Flames by Karima Sa'ad Usman

We remained on our knees, waiting for the new Alpha’s orders. We were now slaves, so there was no point acting brave anymore. I did not want my father’s sacrifice to be in vain, so I chose to keep my promise to him and behave myself. I knew things would get more complicated from then on, and I needed to be strong.

“Get up,” Nikolas said, and my father and I stood up.

Nikolas walked up to my father and stared him in the eyes until my father averted his gaze.

“Good. I do not want you to leave this place. If you do, I will end your girl,” He said, saying that last part as if I were an object. My father nodded, and Nikolas moved towards the entrance of the packhouse. His Beta walked to us and yanked me from my father’s side.

“Henceforth, you serve the alpha,” the Beta said, and my father looked up with surprise and fear.

“That wasn’t part of the deal, Alpha,” My father said, but Nikolas remained cold and unmoved. He stood by the entrance, and I could see he was mind-linking his men.

“Something to keep you in check,” The Beta said, squeezing my upper arm a bit too tight for comfort. I stifled my voice. I would not give him the satisfaction of screaming.

My father was afraid and sad.

He was a mix of emotions, but I doubted Nikolas had a heart to appeal to.

Nikolas knew we could not fight him. Other than strength and speed, Lycans had abilities we werewolves could only dream of. The takeover my father led in the past only succeeded because of years of meticulous planning and the moon’s blessings.

They were an evolved version of us, and there were rumours that some had the ability to turn werewolves into Lycans, but those were rumours as it had never actually happened and might not.

We also never breed with them. Although it was a possible mix, we were considered inferior gene carriers and thus not a good choice for mates. Werewolves mated with only werewolves, and Lycans mated with only Lycans. The laws and prohibitions were endless, and we were at the bottom.

The forest was our home where all werewolves were free, but now, just like the snow and hill territories, the forest territory was no longer a safe haven for us.

Nikolas looked like a man that would ruin anything he wanted, and now I was somehow on his list of objects to destroy.

“Please, Alpha, allow her to have a normal life. She is all the family I have. If you take her, I will have nothing,” My father pleaded in tears.

He was powerless in this regard, and we all knew it.

I did not have the heart to face what Nikolas would subject me to. I was

serve me until I feel

you must, then just claim her,” He said with difficulty; I wanted to say no, but I knew

if

use as I see fit. I can never mate with a werewolf. Never! She will have no honour, and that is final!” he said, and the tone in his

in his heart, and the hatred was towards my father and

make him want to go this far and ruin my life? He took over the neighbouring packs and never took any of the Alphas’ daughters for himself. He allowed them to continue to live on the land as slaves but never took their

back into the packhouse, Little girl. Alpha has plans for you,” the Beta said and let go of me, then walked back towards the

for everyone. The Forest

the order. I had a bitter taste in

house my father and I moved to and began to gather my bags. Fortunately for me,

sat on the couch. He bowed his head, and I knew

you, Aliana,”

I was doing and went to him

would have died like the other packs who refused to surrender, but you stood your ground against the Lycans and made sure

what you did,” I said, holding him, and he

the honour you deserve,” he said, and I smiled at him even though my

his gang. I promise you. I won’t let him break me,” I told him and told myself.

slow about leaving, and after two hours, one of Nikolas’s men came

He lacked manners, and I knew that would be what I would deal with daily. He treated me like trash, but I expected it from

and followed the savage back

morning and returned there

beside the Alpha’s quarters. The man who came for me did not

my belonging?” I asked, and he growled before nodding. It was unnecessary, but he believed it made him look strong. What a

and told my father where they had placed me. I knew I dared not stay long. I could feel their eyes on me when I was leaving.

to me, where

tears to

but now that I was alone