Forged in the Flames by Karima Sa'ad Usman

The walk back to the palace from the werewolf hospital was challenging. I planned not to make hasty decisions ever again. I returned to the palace and decided to head to my office, so Abraham could bring the report on what they found in the Estate.

I linked Abraham, and he told me he was on his way. There was an uneasiness about him, and I knew something was wrong. He arrived at my office in five minutes, and I could tell immediately that something was troubling him.

“What did you find that is troubling you like this?” I asked him, and he took a deep breath. “I hope you won’t take offence, Alpha. I would never do or say anything that would deliberately hurt you, but I heard something disturbing from Gezel when I returned from the woods. You can call her to repeat what she told me.” he said, and I got impatient.

I did not want to call anyone to my office or get into a matter other than what had already happened with the hunters in the woods. I had just walked a very long distance. I wanted to get everything over with and go to Aliana. “Tell me quickly. I do not have time, and I hope it isn’t anything that would waste my time,” I said, and he nodded. “I hope you won’t see it as time-wasting.

“Gezel told me because she wanted me to plead with you that, she had no hand in what happened this time. She said it was all your mother. That she was shocked to see it unfold. She was even crying and requesting that I plead with you to move her elsewhere,” he said, and I frowned. The only time I have dealt with Gezel was for being involved with bullying Aliana. What did my mother do this time that made her feel the need to report herself and distance herself from it?

“What happened?” I asked.

“Gezel said your mother went to your room to beat up Aliana. She said awful things and hurt her badly; She also said Ania and Lisa were there, along with some guards. She said she had no hand in it,” He said, but I could not let him finish his words. I was on my feet immediately.

I moved quickly. I left my office, crossed the foyer, up the stairs and went to my bedroom. I did not bother to knock; I turned the knob and just entered. Aliana was on the couch. Her eyes were swollen with tears. There was a bruise on her forehead, and when I moved closer, a slap was printed on her cheek. Ania and Lisa left immediately. I was livid.

I could not believe my mother would do this after I had told her to stay away from Aliana. I told her to respect my boundaries and stay out of my business. The fact that I wasn’t there to protect Alina made me feel like I had failed her. My mother had done it this time. I wasn’t blind at all. Either she was extremely hateful, or she wasn’t completely cured of her madness. Either way, this was unacceptable.

I walked out of the room to go and confront her; Bane was fuming, and so was I. She was my mother. She had her place, and Aliana was mine, and she had her own place.

I got to her room and learned that my mother was dining with the Lycans. I knew it was time for dinner, and I wondered why she was eating with the Lycans, but I did not care. The whole Queen thing had gotten to her head, and I needed to snap her out of her illusion. I entered the dining, maintained a calm exterior, and the whole place went silent. I saw Gezel and Erica serving my mother, and Gezel looked afraid, but I wasn’t there for her. My mother saw me and smiled. “You finally decided to join us,” my mother said, smiling as if she hadn’t done anything wrong.

“Who gave you the right to go to my room?” I asked her calmly, and everyone was silent. I looked around and saw that all my lycan officers were there except for Abraham, whom I had left in my office.

me like that?” She asked me, sounding

away from Aliana and her friends? Did I not tell you she was off-limits? Did I not tell you to

and you are here to do what? Discipline me?” She asked, and I realised the whole Queen thing had gotten to her head. I was her Alpha. Son or not, I was

She ordered

just regained your health yesterday, and no one likes you. Everyone is uncomfortable around you. That speaks a lot about your character when you were queen,” I said, and she

a slave? Do you know what she did?”

with me first,” I said, and she was silent. “Then you decided to go to my room and beat

She said, and I laughed.

I do not need you to protect

to you and took care

in, and I think I can see why. I should have known. The amount of venom you planted in me at a young age was wicked. It might not seem like nothing then, but seeing you now, I know you weren’t any different in the woods either. Do not pin this all on Gabriel. The wolf is paying for his part in the crime. His people have died for it, and his daughter has been ruined by me for it. She is his only family, and that is how I choose to enact my revenge. Your behaviour is why

my debt if you want to go that route. I did not bury a knife in your heart. I was ten, yet I risked my life to keep you even though you almost took my eye and killed me! Yes, you did this to me. Not the battles, not Gabriel or Aliana; you gave me

I went and ensured you were cared for. When we came here, Aliana, Ania, and Lisa cared for you until you were healthy enough to regain your sanity. I am

she was being disrespectful. Gezel was there,” She said on the verge of tears. My

and I looked at Gezel to see if

at Gezel, who was

and knocked on the door. Aliana

offence, and that was when her majesty grabbed her hair and forced her to her knees. She said what she wanted to say, pushed Aliana’s head to the ground, kicked her, and walked out. Ania

you piece of shit,” She said,

you dare!” I ordered with my command,