Forged in the Flames by Karima Sa'ad Usman

I returned to my room and found Aliana sitting on the bed, her eyes were swollen from tears, and she was smiling. I knew that she knew what had happened.

She rushed towards me and hugged me. I relaxed the moment she wrapped her arms around me to receive the joy she was giving willingly.

“The goddess smiled on you,” she said, and I wrapped my arms around her waist and buried my head in her neck to breathe in her fruity scent.

She let me hold her. I needed it. Something that was supposed to be a celebration was a cause of worry.

Here she was, happy that my mother was all right, but I knew my mother would never accept her, and I could not let either of them go. Aliana was my future, and my mother was a past and a part of me.

I held on tight and k*issed her neck, then travelled with my k*iss to her l*ips to drink her in. She tasted as sweet as always, and I was at complete peace in those moments.

I was calm and broke away.

“How is she?” Aliana asked me, and I nodded.

“She is fine,” I said, leading her to the couch so I could talk to her.

“Aliana,” I said, and she was attentive. I could also sense she was a bit worried, and I knew it was because of my tone.

It wasn’t playful as usual, so it was bound to make her worry. Still, I couldn’t help it. The situation did not call for a happy, playful tone.

“My mother isn’t open-minded, she does not like werewolves and halfbreeds. So, you and your friends won’t be attending to her anymore. I would not want to do anything to aggravate her,” I said, afraid that Aliana would take it wrongly.

She placed her hand over mine and looked at me.

“I wasn’t expecting she would be different. You and Beta Qusack are an exception. It is okay. I will stay away from her if that is what it takes,” she said, and I felt my heart break in those moments.

I wish my mother would make my life easy, just like Aliana. I hope my mother will respect my decisions and support me no matter what. Only time will tell.

to tell you something,” Aliana said, and I frowned at her because it

returned, but we were too busy, and I didn’t want to spoil our moment, but I believe I should tell you now. Especially now that your mother

and my father, and you must have your reasons. It may be

should be of your own free will, but I need you to know this

to do with your father’s crimes, please do not tell me anything that would spoil our relationship, Aliana,” I said quickly, and she shook

and his friends did to the late King. I have heard both versions of the stories, and I am not here to talk about them, but I will tell you a part that might affect you in the future. Please permit me to speak freely without consequence, Alpha,” She said, and Bane growled because

no consequence. Had she not figured that out?

had gotten away with. I had found every

she should know that I was a fool for her. As much as I wanted to tell her, I held

Alpha again. How can you dare to be formal after everything we shared?” I asked her, and she looked at me

her face let me know she was hanging on a thread where I

the death of the late King, the werewolves brought out his pregnant Queen and forced her to kneel in front of the

kill her. My father was once the late King’s beta and friend, so it

had with a woman called Olive. Rumours were that they might have been fated, but she was a werewolf. For the late King to succeed his father as King, she pleaded with him to let her remain his mistress so he could be King. That was why he married the sister of the Snow

the King, because he was too distraught. His half-brother, Leon, was the one that helped

fight was a huge misunderstanding, but he knew some people were working against the King and werewolves. He

brother. He promised her that he would keep Forest intact and make sure it remains the way it is so that when her child is of age, the child can come back and claim what is rightfully theirs,” She said, and I did not know what to say. I had to hold my tongue

is a boy, he will show up in four years when he is thirty-three. My father no longer owns Forest, so it isn’t his to give. It is now yours. If it is a daughter, she might show up soon. I just want you to know that I just found out that

the Snow King will not support you because his sister’s child is the rightful heir,” She said, and I pulled

said was conflicting, but parts of the story were in tune with fragments I learned from King Aleksander and even what Abraham, the former record keeper and now

his promise to her. It was easy to believe because the man never spent or did anything in Forest. He

understandable that they would rise against him. However, I could not forgive their crimes

right now, I planned on confronting

asked Aliana, realising she didn’t know my true identity yet. It was understandable because she did not know my last

you what to do,”

to spend the rest of our lives together, you should learn