Forged in the Flames by Karima Sa'ad Usman

The whole issue with my mother had destabilized me. I wasn’t supposed to feel the way I was feeling. I was supposed to be happy. My joy was supposed to be immense, but I felt more worry than joy.

What Aliana had told me got me thinking.

Gabriel had told her this without even knowing that I was the heir. I wondered what happened and why my uncle would turn my mother away and then deliberately oppose me knowing there was a possibility I was his nephew.

I sat at the foot of the bed, unwilling to step outside. I had planned to spend the entire day with Aliana, but it didn’t seem like that would happen now that my mother was

awake. I just dreaded facing her and telling her that I was in love with a werewolf, the daughter of the man she called a traitor, the very man that saved her life. It wasn’t comforting.

Since what Aliana said her father told her matched what I had heard, I planned to look into what happened in the past. Had Gabriel allowed the werewolves to finish my mother off, I wouldn’t be here, and he would have still held Forest. I owed him my life. Even though he betrayed my father, I owed him my life. He must have regretted his action all these years.

“You look worried. Should I move back to my old room?” Aliana asked me, and I wondered why she would ask such a question. Her words snapped me out of my deep thought, and I looked at her, a bit confused.

“Why would you say that?” I asked her, and she shrugged. I could see the fear in her eyes. I knew in her mind that our relationship had come to an end. I hoped I would be able to prove to her otherwise. She deserved my assurance, and words weren’t going to do, but I will try.

“I lived nineteen years without my mother’s influence. I have lived without her longer than I know her. She cannot wake up and change my life. I knew what I was getting into when I chose you. Allow me to handle this my way Aliana. Yes, I would want to gradually ease her into our relationship, but I do not plan to beg her for approval,” I said and went to the bathroom to shower.

a slave and mistress. I have to keep it that way until the deal with the Lycan committee and the Kingship pulls through; then, I can reveal m y true intentions to our world. Everything seemed like forever, but I was hanging on.

and Lisa finally served us breakfast in my room, and I told them they would no longer serve the Queen, but they should continue attending to Aliana so she

the development but were silent, just as they

a lot, some of the changes would be unwanted, but it was necessary. I would use the time to reform her hateful mind to successfully build the world I want to build

nephew, my children with Aliana would be good enough. Still, we had to wait a little longer. All these dreams could not be achieved as a

and I placed the tray outside for Ania to pick up without entering

and I would hate to keep you indoors all day doing nothing,” I said, and Aliana giggled. It was good

are a lot more relaxed now. Just trust me, Little wolf. I do not make false promises,” I said, and she nodded

me. It was a lot of responsibility for someone to look at me the way Aliana was looking at me.

to know her better. I understood her body, I needed

we talked, I dreaded having lunch with my mother. The time was drawing near, and it made my stomach churn. I knew I would have to say

trip. It would have been a lot easier, but I had to face her now, whether I liked it or not. Who knows, she might ease into the idea

and it was finally time to join my mother for lunch. I decided we would eat in her room

trespassers. The dining room had an open arch instead of a door. We