Forged in the Flames by Karima Sa'ad Usman

Nikolas POV

My time with King Aleksander was informative, and I had something to work with. I planned to dig deeper to know how to deal with Fedrick. If he were my uncle and could work against me, I wondered what he did when my father was alive. I kept my suspicions to myself and focused on what was at hand I wondered what Aliana was up to and if the Lycans were giving her trouble.

I had promised I would not stay more than two days, and I planned to keep it.

Morning came, and Grant and I were invited to have breakfast with the King and his family. They ushered us to the dining room, and everyone, including the Queen, was seated. Lena looked like her mother, and the woman seemed warm.

I bowed to both of them, and they responded with respect.

Then I was asked to sit beside Piotr while Grant sat beside Lena on the opposite side of the table.

“Finally. Forest will have a king,” The Queen said, smiling at me, and I smiled back out of respect.

“Hopefully,” I said, and she frowned.

“It is rightfully yours. I am not happy with what Fedrick is doing. I hope he remembers he worked against you when you finally ascend. The man can’t see beyond his greed.” She said, and Aleksander cautioned her. She held her tongue and composed herself. “Please enjoy your meal. I hope you will stay with us a bit to meet people,” She said, and I smiled at her.

“I will be leaving tomorrow, your Majesty. I have a lot to attend to at home. We are trying to develop the place. A lot still needs to be done, and there is a need for supervision,” I said, and she nodded.

“I heard Gabriel ran the place down. I wondered what the traitor thought when he usurped power for himself.

I am glad you took back what was rightfully yours.

The bright side is that, unlike the Snow and Hill region, you have a lot of human resources in Forest, so finding cheap and free labour to get the job done won’t be hard.” She said, referring to the slaves in Forest. I composed myself and nodded, knowing it would be unwise to show sentiment towards the werewolves. Aleksander might not have issues with the werewolves, but his Queen seemed to have issues with them. “Isabelle was right about those things,” she said, hissing.

“I am glad Aleks listened to me after Mathias’s demise. I am sure the ones here would have had the bright idea of usurping power for themselves after Gabriel succeeded in Forest. You should be careful and wary of them, Nikolas. Do not let them get close to you,” she said, and Grant looked at me a bit funny with worry in his eyes. I wondered if the idiot was trying to give away my secret.

place In Forest,” I said quickly, and

The Unity Law forbids it. I hope you know,” She said, and I nodded. My heart was heavy

I just hoped we would survive it. Bane was quiet in my

do not think werewolves are bad. It is just that Gabriel was a traitor. Let us not

the same,” she

best workers are werewolves,” He countered her, her cheeks coloured with

Mathias.” Aleksander said, and I was shocked to

a dinner tonight, so you will meet the alphas in my kingdom and some of the Committee members,”

I remembered how she was flirting with me when I arrived and did not

Racheal said, and I decided to speak up. “I do not think it would be necessary, your Majesty,”

Please relax. Seeing you, I know you are seeing someone already,” She said. I felt a bit embarrassed,

are seeing someone?” Racheal asked her daughter, and

dreamy look on her face showed she

nephew?” Aleksander exclaimed,

mouth with the napkin to excuse myself. Piotr did the same, and Grant

loathe Fredrick. They hate him and anything that has to do with him. Except you, of course, and that is because of Mathias,” Piotr said, and I

town with Piotr behind

charmer too. We drove past a lingerie store, and a

us check that store out,” I pointed al the store,

Nikolas. I bring my girlfriend to shop there most of the time. You will love their stuff,” he said, turned the vehicle around,

stopped the

owns the place,” he said quickly, and I told him it was okay. Grant was silent all through. We went to the shop, and the owner greeted Piotr with

he told them, introducing me respectfully, and the women knelt immediately. They were also looking at me as if they were auditioning for