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.

get me wrong, Alpha. I am with you whatever you choose, but I do not think it is wise

respect,” I said, and he

will you honour his invite?” he

longer have Aliana’s scent because you reek of her. Three days away from her will do it,” Qusack said, and

that time comes, I will do it,” I

Pretending was something I had never done before. It was going to be challenging, but that was the only

to my mother, and I also wanted to be with

lesser things, and I

so we could go 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

not blame her. I was yet to tell her

not display affection, so we left everything until we were alone behind closed

Lycan women bullying Aliana. But she never told me anything. I asked her a few times, and she said it wasn’t so, so I instructed Lisa and Ania to get the names of the

often 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,

garden, and just as

yet to tell her she could visit her father. I

believed I would kick her out of my room when I got tired. It was a battle going through everyday, living a lie. Suddenly I began to wonder

Kingship. I had promised my mother I would restore our glory, and getting the Kingship was the

for Aliana in public and word got out, then getting the Kingship would be difficult, and the Snow King might want to attack Forest for

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

my b*ody and wondered why our lives were so complex. We were just two people trying to make sense of the mess destiny

my chest and snuggling into

am back,” I replied, and she held me tightly. I moved to see her face, and she opened

me from the window tonight,”

want to,”

you will join me tomorrow?” I

there. They would think you are compromised, and I want you to be King. I know you will be a kind king, and my people will be in safe hands,” She said, and I realised that even Aliana did

how I felt about her without breaking character. “Ania said some lycans are bullying

me the truth so it wouldn’t seem

They are just jealous, besides, I don’t want to make a fuss about it,” she said, and I was glad