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.

but even I did not have the heart to face what Nikolas would subject me

serve me until I feel generous,” Nikolas finally said,

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

as if I

will never bear a Lycan’s mark; she will be my property to use as I see fit. I can never mate with a werewolf. Never! She will have

also sounded like there was hatred in his heart, and the hatred

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

Beta said and let go of

going to be a hard life for everyone. The Forest Territory, Riverhead Pack and I would

after the Alpha had given the order. I had a bitter taste in my mouth and

the house my father and I moved to and began to gather my bags. Fortunately

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

Aliana,” he began

what I was doing and went to

packs who refused to surrender, but you stood your ground against the Lycans and made sure we lived at

what you did,” I said, holding him, and he wrapped his arms around

wouldn’t give you the honour you deserve,” he said, and I smiled at him even though my heart was breaking

father. I will survive Nikolas and his gang. I promise you. I won’t let him break me,” I told

and after two hours,

manners, and I knew that would be what I would deal with daily. He treated

and followed the

the morning and returned there in the night as the

man who came for me did not talk after we left

he growled before nodding. It was unnecessary, but he believed it made him look strong. What a

I could feel their eyes on me when I was leaving. So I carried my bag and headed back

allocated to me, where I finally

my tears

my fear to take away the Alpha’s satisfaction, but now that I was