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.

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

until I feel generous,” Nikolas finally

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

said as if

my Luna. She 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 no honour, and that is

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

to him to 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

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

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

the Alpha had given the order. I had a

into the house my father and I moved to and began to gather my bags. Fortunately for me, I did not

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

Aliana,” he

what I was doing and

refused to surrender,

father. There is no alpha brave enough to do what you did,” I

you deserve,” he said, and I smiled at him even

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

two hours, one of

that would be what I would deal with daily. He treated me like

my bags and followed the savage back to the

father in the morning and returned there in the

Alpha’s quarters. The man who came for

and he growled before nodding. It was unnecessary, but he believed it made him

father where they had placed me. I knew I dared not stay long. I

the room allocated to me, where I

had held my tears to keep my

satisfaction, but now that I was