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.

at chess. He would have been a great catch. But that would be aiming too high,

would have been nice to see

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

did not want to discuss it, so I did not spoil our moods. The brand still profoundly hurt her, so

about?” I asked quickly, and she and

think you have made an impression on Alpha, Aliana. I think Alpha is crazy about you. All the Riverhead werewolves believe so, too,” Lisa

Gamma Grant implored us to pretend 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,”

a good thing?” I asked, and she widened her

no longer be a universal law, and we will be equals in Forest,” She said, and I was shocked they figured it out

in place. And knowing your father’s history with

cautioned the Queen yesterday made me realise Alpha is doing it for you.

it is what I think, Aliana. Then Alpha’s love for you might liberate all of us,” she said and hugged me

hope it is what I am thinking because none of us deserves to be treated this way,” She said, and I wrapped my arms around her to console

had. Nikolas 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

Nikolas and I had for each other was strong enough to move this

were afraid to step out because of Queen Isabelle. I could not wait to see my father and tell him about her. I did not want Nikolas to hear what my father would say just in case

dropped the

is the matter?” I

three of us,” She said, and I shook my

I said, unwilling to see

to link Nikolas immediately but could not reach him. It meant he wasn’t in the building or close by. I wondered where he would have gone in a hurry without informing me

link Qusack and met the same silence. Then I

seems Alpha and Beta aren’t around,”

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

Alpha, and we will wait

to trouble. I will take the blame for it,” I told her, and she looked at me

when she had snapped out of

She replied, and I figured the

knock on our door. Then I heard Gezel

woman was a hand full. I could not believe she had the effrontery to come

and Lisa became

hide in the closet. I will face her,” I

whatever she plans to do,” Ania

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

door and bowed my

in a floral kaftan and looked very

the room with

longer on the Queen’s side. That was quick. I thought she would be

the door open so everyone