Forged in the Flames by Karima Sa'ad Usman

After lunch with my mother, we spent time catching up on events that she missed. She was genuinely grateful that I kept her, and she kept expressing her gratitude repeatedly. She did not spoil our time by bringing up the werewolves or Gabriel, but one thing she was hell-bent on was that I shouldn’t give up on the kingship.

“I will get my brother to sign it. He owes us that much,” She said, and I stopped smiling t o ask her a very serious question about her brother now that it seemed she was comfortable discussing him.

“Why did he turn you away?” I asked her; I needed to understand the reason Fredrick would be so cruel to do such a thing. Had he been kind to his sister, we would have lived well, and I could have easily returned to claim to the kingship.

“Our relationship is complicated, Niko. Fredrick never liked Mathias and did not like me marrying him instead of Aleksander. It’s a very long story, one which I do not want to talk about,” She said with misty eyes.

“So he let you rot in the woods and sent his goons after you because he disagreed with your choice? I believe it is more than that, Mother, but I will let you talk about it when you are most comfortable,” I said, ending the topic. She was uncomfortable, and there was a sign of gratitude in her eyes that I was dropping the topic.

“So, would we be throwing a glad-you-are- back party for me?” she asked with a glow in her eyes.

“Your father threw parties for everything,” She added, sounding nostalgic, and I smiled at her. It was a subtle blackmail, and she knew I figured it out.

“You can do as you like, mother. Just let your maids know what you need, and they will handle it for you?” I said, and she beamed. There was silence for a few seconds. It was as if she had another request but was uncomfortable asking.

Her eyes looked unsure. I could see she wanted to ask for something but was worried about my reaction.

“You know the worst I can do is say no, so just ask,” I said, and she smiled at me.

“If I am throwing the party. Erica and Gezel might be unable to handle it alone. I do not mind the slaves helping out. I mean the werewolf and half-breeds. They can’t be roaming about idle. Gezel said I was their only charge, and now that I no longer require their service, they can put themselves to good use,” she said, and I controlled my temper by exhaling.

I reached for my mother’s hand over the table and stroked it gently.

“You are my mother, and even though I have missed you for nineteen years, I still love you dearly, but I will advise you not to push me, Mother,” I said gently, and she was worried. My words had made her uncomfortable, but it was necessary. I was never a nice guy. I believed Aliana had softened me a bit, but I needed to show my mother I couldn’t be manipulated.

“To you, Aliana, Ania and Lisa are off limits. They have no business being near you or interacting with you. You made that clear the moment you regained your sanity this morning.

I do not have the time to deal with malice and complaints, so I advise you to use people you are most comfortable with. I am sure there are many lycan women that would love to help you,” I managed as nicely as I could, and she pulled her hand away from mine.

“Whose malice? Mine?” she asked, and I pinched my nose bridge from frustration.

“All I asked was to keep them busy. I know what you do with that werewolf, so do not make it seem like you are trying to avoid conflict,” she said, and I stood up.

business, not even you, Mother. Let this be the last time you will bring this up. I have told you my decision. Have your party and do what you must without Aliana and her friends.

you going?” She asked me,

free, which might be tomorrow. In the meantime,

stopped last minute,

would leave the common room and head to her room

strolled there after lunch and ended up sitting there to discuss things. It would have been fun if she wasn’t emphasising how the werewolves betrayed my father. I did not know

control. I had humiliated Gabriel and dishonoured poor Aliana in the name of revenge. I had enslaved the people and taken their freedom. I had punished them severely. What

had done to the werewolves. I could not slaughter the rest of them to please her, nor let

King because of her brother

determine whether he is a threat. I doubt

returned to my room, hoping Aliana would be there, but the room was empty, and the surfaces were cold. I knew it had been a long time since she left. I tried to link her, hoping she was with her father,

paranoid if I did not know that most Forest residents hated

this would happen to her. I wouldn’t have dared i t if I had known I would give in to our bond. I had ruined many things for Aliana, and If I did not

they were at Footlock Market, so I told him to go and keep an

on how to manage the situation. Pretending that all that was between Aliana and me was just s*ex had become extremely difficult, but

coronation approved. Once I become King, I will cancel the Lycan unity law in

Fredrick,” I heard Qusacksay, and I wondered why Fredrick

last letter was arrogant, and it drew a line between

on something comfortable and headed to

was the only one there, and when I asked him of Grant and Abrahams’s whereabouts, he said my mother had

appreciate

but she chose to send them. I did not like that. I suspected she still believed she was a queen. I might have given her the title as honorary, but I believed the sooner I stripped her of

destructive. I spent a

were off-limits

he told me he would visit in two weeks. He had meant it when he told me in Peakland he would visit me. This was the proof.

how we treat werewolves in Forest. I was yet to

have visitors. They will only need to do that until I am King, but I will require their full cooperation,” I told Qusack, and he nodded

to relax the laws in Forest, and it had paid off. The werewolves worked better, and there

Fredrick’s