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.

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

She asked me, and

when I am free, which might be tomorrow. In the meantime, find something fun to do,”

minute, and I quickly walked out of

leave the common room and head to her room since our catching-up time

lunch and ended up sitting there to discuss things. It would have been fun if she wasn’t emphasising how the werewolves

the name of revenge. I had

werewolves. I could not slaughter the rest of them to please her, nor let go of the woman I love and eliminate her father and her

of her brother and whatever grudge they

determine whether he is a threat. I doubt anyone raised by Fredrick would not b e a threat, but I intend to give him the

room, hoping Aliana would be there, but the room was empty, and the surfaces were cold. I knew it had

so worried that I linked a Kappa werewolf to help me trace her. I wouldn’t be paranoid if I did not know that

I had known I would give in to our bond. I had ruined many

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

was between Aliana and me was just s*ex had become extremely

on a little longer just so I get my coronation approved. Once I become King, I will cancel the Lycan unity law in Forest and make Aliana my queen. I just need her to pretend a

arrive. One is from Prince Piotr, and the other is from King Fredrick,” I heard Qusacksay, and I wondered why Fredrick would send me two

was arrogant, and it drew a line between us. I wondered what he

something comfortable and headed to

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

not appreciate it at

a queen. I might have given her the title as honorary, but I believed

with power yet. Her malice and rage had blinded her, and it was destructive. I spent a

Officers were

meant it when he told me in Peakland he

have to pretend about how we treat werewolves in Forest.

assembly and instruct the werewolves to pretend life is h*ard for them here whenever we have visitors. They will only need to do that until I

had both agreed to relax the laws in Forest, and it had paid off. The werewolves worked better, and there was no resistance. No one was trying to leave anymore. A

up Fredrick’s letter to