Forged in the Flames by Karima Sa'ad Usman

Nikolas POV

Alianas’ reasons touched my soul, and I could not express myself without compromise.

What she achieved was unbelievable, and she made me realise how negligent my kind has been where my mother was concerned.

I could sit beside my mother and feed her for the first time in years. She looked like she did when she was all right, and I wished she would gain her sanity in those moments.

I have learned how meticulous Aliana was with her. She had nursed her diligently, and it had paid off. I might have wanted her if she weren’t Gabriel’s child.

I deliberately stayed away from her to get my need for her out of my system.

Ever since we met, there has been a silent fire between us that only our wolves could understand. The few times we were alone together, we had broken barriers between us.

Knowing it wasn’t good for my agenda and not wanting to hurt myself, I distanced myself from her for a month to get her out of my mind and focus on the things that matter. The truth was that it was a futile effort. I found myself thinking of her, her scent, her voice, her defiance, her confidence, and her beauty.

I thought of her response to my touch, her m*oa*ns.

I knew she wasn’t faking it. Every moment, reaction, expression, and emotion with her were genuine. It was sad that we were on opposite sides.

Since I met Aliana, I had lost interest in other women, but she did not need to know that. It was my cross to bear. I had sometimes listened to her communication with her father, and she never spoke badly of me or complained.

I had thought she was playing a game, but her progress on my mother made me realise otherwise.

I looked at her for a bit and decided to live in the moment, just for tonight.

“Are you allowed to drink wine?” I asked her, and her cheeks coloured with embarrassment.

Her complexion had been going from pale to blush since she sat beside me, and I knew I had the same effect on her.

“I am allowed to drink, but I can’t handle alcohol well,” she replied, and I got up to get two wine glasses and a bottle of merlot and served both of us.

She raised an eyebrow when she collected the glass from me, and I smiled at her for the first time.

“Just for tonight,” I said, and she nodded and took a sip.

I asked, and she

was an

moment. So, I switched on the music and stretched my hands toward her to dance. She gulped down her wine completely and

have done that, little wolf,” I said, touching her waist and pulling her close to my chest. She gasped, and I held her hand with my other hand on her waist while I tried to sway

still a bit tense, but I felt her relax. I was rewarding her

with my father,” she said, and I froze but then composed myself and decided to live unburdened in those moments. Tomorrow

night away and

had this much fun since my mother died, and I couldn’t even drink alcohol then,” she said, laughing, and I got curious about her mother’s death. “Do you mind telling me how she passed

killed her. I was with her,” she said, tears welling

and that we weren’t welcome in other territories, but I didn’t believe her, I thought

shifted and fought. She was a Beta wolf, so she could hold her ground, but

I was too afraid. I listened to her.”

I saw her. I know my mother would refuse to be enslaved, so they were bound

have protected them from the Snow King and his people. He must have been delusional to think he could rule an entire territory. Had my father been alive, no Lycan hunter would wonder near the border

the toilet seat while I watched her throw up her dinner. The wine shouldn’t have affected her unless she

her hair back while she threw up, then rubbed her back gently

at me over her shoulder and

moment. I wanted to hold her to my chest and give in to what I had been fighting since I laid eyes on her.

with a slur, and I shook my head, still rubbing her back. I felt her temperature rising, and I knew the maids might have given her something before

drugs because I would be

spare time, but I would have issues if they were feeding

removed her clothes, and placed her under the running water. Aliana had a gorgeous, soft, unblemished, tender body with curves in the right places. Her beauty was humble and innocent, yet striking and alluring. It took a lot for me to control myself watching her under the

before undressing and sitting with her under the cold

body was

I decided we would use the

when it was enough. I made her sit in it with me. She sat between my legs, her back against my chest, and I

this was, I could stay with her in my arms forever, but it was just for the night. I wasn’t going to allow myself to get carried

off immediately and decided I would

settle for the next best thing. It tastes bad, and it is quite unpleasant,” She said, and I was shocked that Aliana took my rules seriously, but

was when I realised she had anticipated me touching her tonight. Those were

to me, but I wasn’t ready to go