Forged in the Flames by Karima Sa'ad Usman

Nikolas POV

After spending time with Aliana and my mother, I returned to my office. Aliana’s fears were valid, I would never have expected her to feel that deeply.

All the months of being away from her and watching her from a distance. How could she feel for me so strongly? I put myself in her shoes and knew she would be hurt if she saw me with anyone.

I went to the bathroom of my office to catch my breath.

I was nervous about my resolve. What I was doing was prohibited, it would bring unwanted heat to Forest when it got out.

I would have made her mine from the first day, but I fought the attraction because I was yet to make up my mind. I spent all those months going through my thoughts and trying to decide if it was worth it. Now that I had taken this step, there was no going back.

I composed myself and returned to my office. Qusack and Grant joined me. Although Abraham was supposed to be there, I wondered where he was. It wouldn’t be a serious meeting, so I let it rest.

“So what did King Fredrick say?” I asked him because he had told me the Snow King had sent a message.

“He said he would like to meet with you in person. He wants you to pick a time to visit him.” Qusack said, and I sighed.

“What about my request?” I asked. “It is about your request. He said there are certain criteria you have to fulfil before they can approve your Kingship. He also said he doesn’t care that you are the son of the former King. He said you couldn’t prove it, and so you must go through the normal process,” Qusack said, a bit annoyed.

“That b*astar*d,” I said, trying to control my anger.

“If I may speak. I think he is scared that you will outrank him as King. You are the most feared Lycan right now, not him. It would bother him. I think he wants to show dominance,” Grant said, and I knew my Gamma was right.

“What about the Lycan hunters troubling my border? Did you send the message to tell the King to order his hunters to stop coming to find slaves in Forest?” I asked Qusack. “I have sent a letter requesting that the Snow hunters desist from entering the woods of Forest without permission from you. I am yet to receive a response,” Qusack said, and I nodded. I sensed trouble would come from there, but I was equipped for it.

“I do not think we should anger the Snow King, Alpha,” Grant said.

“So, I should let his subjects continue to insult me by entering my forest to hunt without my permission?” I asked him, and he shook his head “King or not, the Snow King has no power in Forest, and thus, his people must seek permission before they cross into my land,” I said and looked at Qusack.

“Send a second warning to all of them stating anyone that enters Forest to hunt without a permit will be terminated on sight,” I said, and Grant seemed uncomfortable about it. “They are only hunting the werewolves, He said, and I growled.

“They are my subjects too.” I corrected him because he was trying to say their lives don’t count.

with you whatever you choose, but I do not think it is wise to

I am demanding respect,” I said, and he understood what I was trying to do. There

invite?” he

it means you will go there when you no longer have Aliana’s scent because you reek of her. Three days away from her will do it,” Qusack said, and I

I will do it,” I told

s*uc*ked that I had to live a pretentious life where Aliana was concerned. Pretending was something I had never done before. It was going to be challenging, but that

to my mother, and I also wanted to be with

talked about lesser things, and

and inspect the land where I planned to build a structure for my infantry. There can be no kingdom without an army. A month passed, and I was yet to decide whether I wanted to visit King Fredrick or not. Visiting him meant staying away from Aliana for three days and

still guarded with me, but I did not blame her.

we left everything until we were alone behind closed

times, and she said it wasn’t so, so I instructed Lisa and Ania to get the names of the women that were bullying her. They, too, were tight-l*ipped about it, so I

sit at the garden party alone. Something that used to feel like fun was boring now. I felt lonely because I would rather be with Aliana, but I had to

from the garden, and just

to tell her she could visit her father. I was trying my best not to let it show that I

my room when I got tired. It was a battle going through everyday, living a lie.

would

I showed affection for Aliana in public and word got out, then getting the Kingship would be difficult, and the Snow King might want

not allow the Snow King to oppress me as he is doing to Hill King. He will have no say in my Kingdom,

why our lives were

said with a sleepy voice, placing her head on my chest and snuggling into my arms. I held

held me tightly. I

the window tonight,” I

want to,”

join me tomorrow?” I said with an uncertain

there. They would think you are compromised, and I want you to be King. I know you will be a kind king, and

make more effort to prove how I felt about her without breaking character. “Ania said some lycans are bullying

so it wouldn’t seem like Ania was lying. I was still ruthless with everyone, so

besides, I don’t want to make a fuss about it,” she said,