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.

something,” Aliana said, and I frowned at her because it sounded

should tell you now. Especially now that your mother is all right and you have decided to make Forest your home,” she said, and I wondered what she wanted

say 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

free will, but I need you to know this part

please do not tell me anything that would spoil our relationship, Aliana,” I said quickly, and she shook her

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

no consequence. Had she not figured that out? From the onset, I chose to ignore her rudeness and snide

away with what Aliana had gotten away with. I had found every

should know that I was a fool for her. As much as I

dare to

me know she was hanging on a thread where I was concerned. Did she figure out

am listening,” I said, and she exhaled. “My father told me that on the day of the battle after the death of the late King, the werewolves brought out his pregnant Queen and forced

wanted to kill her. My father was once the late King’s beta and

lineage to end. The King had already lost his firstborn. A child he had with a woman called Olive. Rumours were that they might have been fated, but she was

to their child, and the 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

He would have let her stay to rule because the fight was a huge misunderstanding, but he knew some people were working against the King and werewolves. He also knew the werewolves were too aggrieved to allow her to live, so he had no choice but to

to go back to Snow and live with her 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

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 former King’s wife is alive, and she left while pregnant

do not know what 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

fragments I learned from King Aleksander and even what Abraham, the former record keeper

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

that they would rise against him. However, I could

mother was all right now, I planned on confronting her with what I

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

you what to do,”

our lives together, you should learn to suggest your opinions,” I said, composing myself and processing what I