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.

said, and I

when you 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 is all right and you

unbiased. I know you hate my kind, and my father, and you must have your reasons. It may be based on what was said they did

persuade you to do otherwise. If you ever forgive them and choose to be kind, it should be of your own free will, but I need you to know this part of the story. Hopefully, that would prepare you for what might come shortly,” She said, and

has to do with your father’s crimes, please do not tell me anything that would spoil

not here to defend what they said my father 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

what she does, there will be no consequence. Had she not figured that out? From the onset,

what Aliana had gotten away with. I had

I was a fool for her. As much as I wanted

you dare to be formal

was hanging on a thread where I was concerned. Did she figure out who my

I said, and she exhaled. “My father told me that on the day of the battle after the death of

father was once the late King’s beta and friend, so

lost his firstborn. A child he 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

child was stillborn. No one saw the corpse, not even the King, because he was too distraught. His half-brother, Leon, was the one that helped with the funeral.” She

a child already, my father did not want his lineage to end, so he disagreed with the werewolves and let the Queen leave with her trusted maids. He would have let her stay to rule because the fight was a huge misunderstanding, but he knew some people were working against the

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.

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

is happening to your kingship application, but the Snow King will not support you because his sister’s child is the rightful heir,” She said, and I

story were in tune with fragments I learned from King Aleksander

did not know why my mother did not tell me Gabriel set her free and his promise to her. It was easy to believe because the man never spent or did anything

he still killed my father. If people were working against my father and the werewolves in Forest, it was understandable that they would rise against him. However, I could not forgive their crimes still. There were other ways they could have resolved

planned on confronting

I should do if the heir should come?” I asked Aliana, realising she didn’t know my true identity yet. It was understandable because she did not know my last name. They swore their allegiance to me using m y

tell you what to

we are going to spend the rest of our lives together, you should learn to suggest your