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.

need to tell you something,” Aliana said, and I

should tell you now. Especially now that your mother is all right and you have decided to

unbiased. I know you hate my kind, and my father, and

kind, it should be of your own free will, but I need you to

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

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

what she does, there will be no consequence. Had she not

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

that I was a fool for her. As much

do not refer to me as Alpha again. How can you dare to be formal after

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

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

late King’s beta and friend, so it didn’t

already 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 he could be King. That was why

not even the King, because he was too distraught. His half-brother, Leon, was the one that helped with the funeral.” She said

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

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 so

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

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 pulled my hand from

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

the man never spent or did anything in Forest.

against my father and the werewolves in Forest, it was understandable that they would rise

I planned on confronting her with what I

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 first name

in no position to tell you what

we are going to spend the rest of our lives together, you should learn to suggest your opinions,” I said, composing myself and processing what