Forged in the Flames by Karima Sa'ad Usman

The night with Nikolas was explosive and intense. I wondered how he knew of the blacksmith.

Thinking of how he handled it made me laugh. Who would have guessed he would be that protective and jealous? It wasn’t like I had anything with the blacksmith; the guy only promised to give me honour when Nikolas dumped me. I knew it would never happen because Nikolas did not seem like he would let go, but it was sweet.

Thinking of Nikolas’s reaction made me laugh and gave me butterflies. I sat by the window gazing at the empty garden and hoped that Nikolas would soon be king and could do all he had promised me.

I could not wait to stop pretending.

I looked at the trees ahead of the garden and remembered the night of the full moon.

Our wolves had connected as if it were normal. There were no feelings of superiority coming from Bane. Our wolves and the goddess weren’t the problems. The problem was the greedy people of our world.

The slave trade had made many Lycan’s rich, and abolishing the Unity law would end their empire. I prayed that Nikolas succeeds and that we remain together. Even though I was prepared to walk away, I prayed it would never come to that.

Ania and Lisa joined me in the room. They were all smiles, and I wondered what the occasion was—most especially pessimistic Lisa, who always had something glum to say to take away the sunshine.

I left the window bench and went to join them in the sitting section of the room.

“What is the occasion?” I asked Ania, and she squealed.

“You haven’t heard?” She said, and I shook my head.

“Everyone knows the Queen is not allowed to mess with you. They say Alpha chose you over the Queen. Some suspect what is between you and Alpha is serious. They even claim you two might be fated. They say it is just like Olive and Mathias,” She said, and I frowned.

If Nikolas and I were fated, I would know. I have seen how fated people act towards each other, and we didn’t have that.

“I doubt we are fated, Ania. I would know,” I said, and Lisa laughed.

“Silly, Aliana. He will know, but you won’t. The pull will be stronger for him, but it will just be a tug or a strong attraction for you. I think you should ask him if you can,” She said, and I shook my head.

“I would not dare it,” I said, giggling.

“I doubt you wouldn’t dare anything with Alpha. Aliana, you have gotten away with everything you do to that man. It is as if he is a complete fool for you. Even Lisa has seen it now,” Ania said, laughing, and I looked at Lisa, whose cheeks coloured.

She nodded her head, and I smiled at her. “Anyway, enough about me and Alpha. What is our plan for the day?” I asked them, and they shrugged.

“Alpha has not instructed me to get us jobs at the werewolf clinic yet, so we just have to hang around. Luckily tomorrow is Saturday. We can hang with your father tomorrow,” Ania said, and I did not like that we would be in the palace. I dreaded seeing Nikolas’s mother.

“I hope we don’t bump into the queen,” I said, and their smiles dropped.

“She is a handful. We committed a huge crime by helping her out. We are lucky Alpha pulled us from her services. She is giving Gezel and Erica hell. She slapped Gezel this morning because of the temperature of the tea she served. The woman believes she is a queen. I doubt she got the memo. Alpha needs to control her because I doubt this place will be peaceful with her around. This is her second day, and we already don’t like her,” Lisa said, sounding angry.

“Well, look at the bright side. Thanks to Aliana, we have been exempted from her cruelty,” Ania said, and Lisa nodded.

“There was an assembly this morning, by the way. That was why we did not come early. Beta Qusack called an assembly,” Ania said with excitement, and I wondered what Beta Qusack must have said that would make her happy.

a great catch. But that would be aiming too high, and that

have been nice to

why her scent mattered. She was more Lycan than Were. Her father was the halfbreed. It shouldn’t matter, but

I did not spoil our moods. The brand still profoundly

asked quickly,

is crazy about you. All the Riverhead

to be slaves for the meantime every time we have an outsider in our midst. They said it would only be until Alpha becomes king,” Ania said, and I frowned at her. Pretending not to understand why that would be

why is that a good thing?” I

Unity law in Forest. Once He does that, it would no longer be a universal law, and we will be equals in Forest,” She said, and I

with you officially. You cannot be his mate or Queen with the Unity law in place. And

the assembly with how he cautioned the Queen yesterday made me realise Alpha is doing it for you. He is changing

Then Alpha’s love for you

I am thinking because none of us deserves to be treated this way,” She said, and I wrapped my

had shielded me somehow, but I knew it wasn’t easy. The Lycans were very mean and believed they were better than us. Liberation would be most welcomed by all on the receiving end of

Nikolas and I had for each other

about her. I did not want Nikolas to hear what my father would say just in case it might be something he wouldn’t like, so linking him was

Ania suddenly dropped the cards in

the matter?” I

us,” She said, and I shook my head

unwilling to

by. I wondered where he would have gone in a hurry without informing me because

and met

seems Alpha and Beta aren’t around,” I

she sent for us,” Lisa said, angry, and I decided to take my chances

we are not allowed to go to her by order of the Alpha, and we will wait for Alpha to give the orders

the blame for it,” I told her, and she looked at me briefly before deciding to trust me. I watched Ania link the Queen

I asked when she had snapped out of

replied, and I figured the woman

there was a knock on our door.

I could not believe she had the effrontery to come to Nikolas’s

Lisa became very

closet. I will face her,” I told them, and they shook

whatever she plans to do,” Ania

I knew that would be rude. So, I went to open the door

the door and

floral kaftan and looked

pushed past me and walked into the room with her nose

door, and the woman was afraid. It was clear that she was no longer on the Queen’s side. That was quick. I thought she would be her minion. I guess there was

so everyone could see what was going