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.

prove to Aliana with my actions. It was normal for her to feel this way. People still referred to her as 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. I

they would no longer serve

happy about the development but

to successfully build the world I want to build in Forest without opposition. I was determined to make the werewolves more comfortable and free for Aliana’s sake. They deserve a haven, a place they could call home, and this

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

the tray outside for Ania to pick up without entering

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

trust me, Little wolf. I do not make false promises,” I said, and

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

the soft music while we talked about ourselves and the things we liked. I wanted to know her better. I understood her body, I needed to understand

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 things to her that might hurt

have been a lot easier, but I had to face her now, whether I liked it or not. Who knows, she

and it was finally time to join my mother for lunch.

trespassers. The dining room had an open arch instead of a door. We weren’t safe from roamers that might