Forged in the Flames by Karima Sa'ad Usman

Nikolas POV

Aliana looked peaceful this morning, and I did not want to trouble her sleep. Qusack had linked me to inform me of the werewolves found dead in the woods. I learned they had gone to the woods to pick mushrooms and potatoes.

I wondered why Lycan hunters still thought it was okay to come and hunt for slaves in my woods.

I remembered how my mother and I lived in fear of them, and I realised that what we faced in the woods was the reality of the werewolves.

What King Frederick was allowing his people to do was highly disrespectful. I wasn’t sending men to the snow lands to hunt for slaves After all, they had werewolves living in their midst. Why would he think it was okay not to keep his people in check?

I had had enough of this nonsense, and it needed to stop.

There were many half breeds in Forest, and if I did not stop this disrespect, they would soon start hunting the half-breeds too. Werewolves could not detect half-breeds because lycans smelled similar, but Lycans could identify them from their scent. There was always something uncertain about them that made them questionably stand out. I did not want the hunters to come to Forest to eliminate werewolves and half breeds.

My qualms were with the people and the Alphas that sacked my family. I might have issues with the werewolves and not trust them, but this was my land, and they were Aliana’s people.

I snuck out of bed and went to freshen up in the bathroom Then I left the room. I linked Ania to tell Aliana where I was off to when she woke.

I also told her to take her to see her father once they were done with my mother.

I did not know how long I would be away from the palace, but I felt it was only fair Aliana got to see some sun.

Staring out the window and gazing at the garden looked cruel. Even though she didn’t say it, it seemed like she was in a cage looking out while I always had fun. I planned to find a balance between us. I joined Qusack outside the palace, and we headed towards the woods.

“This is getting too much,” Grant said, and I was glad he was beginning to see the issue. “King or not, Forest has a Lycan leader now, they were to liaise with us and get approval before venturing into our woods. King Frederick’s silence on the matter is disrespectful. He refused to respond and refused to call his people to order. Maybe he is under the illusion that he has rights over the forest,” Grant said, and I growled.

“The only King with rights over the forest is me,” I said, and Grant was silent.

Gabriel did not do what he did, this would not

disrespectful, the people in the forest would be safe, and I would concentrate on fighting to be with Aliana.

this problem when a werewolf led them?” I

into the woods. They had a line they never crossed,” Qusack said, and I could not believe that they were content with isolating

extra when I shouldn’t, I would take it out on him. My relationship with Aliana won’t change my feelings towards him. We got to the woods

basket of mushrooms the woman was holding, and I wondered why they needed to pick so

Don’t they have food?” I asked Qusack, and he

and sell in the market. There is a werewolf section where werewolves can sell their produce. Maybe they just wanted to venture into the woods badly,” Qusack said, and I picked up the basket to examine its contents. It had potatoes and mushrooms in them. Things that they should be able to buy in the market. I wondered

they were not planning another uprising because I knew they could not

decided not to trouble myself further and told my men to take care of the corpses. We returned to

I was furious.

of the Snow King was insulting, and I knew it was

to me. It will

same proximity,” I said, and I could see worry in Grant’s eyes. “Frederick is not my King, and I am not his subject. If he feels it is okay to hunt for werewolves in Forest without my permission, I will do the same in Snow land without his permission,” I said, and Qusack grinned evilly. He knew what I was trying to do. I

he takes offence?” Abraham

issue with his hunters. If they don’t stop

doing. You want the King to acknowledge and respect you,” Grant said, and I looked at him because I knew what he referred to as

about the werewolves. They are my subjects too, and I must protect them. What do you think will happen to Forest if we let them hunt and steal werewolves?” I said, letting

behaviour is what I need to watch out for. As much as I cared for Aliana, I had to watch my back where other people

the meeting, and I decided

against my better judgement, but I wanted to make her smile. I went to the room and found

immediately, and they bowed their heads to greet me. It hurt and didn’t feel right when Aliana greeted me like the others. “No need to bow your head Aliana. You should always look at me,” I said, and she

everyone left, leaving

an explanation. “I