Forged in the Flames by Karima Sa'ad Usman

I woke up in a lonely bed. Nikolas’s side was cool, so I knew he had left early. I did not know if it had anything to do with what happened yesterday, but I hoped he was fine.

What transpired between Isabelle and me played in my mind. I was grateful that Nikolas handled it instead of finding ways to manage it.

He chose me, and that boosted my confidence in what we had. I wanted him to be King and hoped everything would work out.

I felt nauseous even though I was a bit hungry. I went to the bathroom to look at my reflection in the mirror. My complexion was a bit pale, and there were beads of sweat on my face. I felt warm, too, so I turned on the water and damped my face with cold water to make me feel better.

I tried a breathing exercise, and it worked.

The issue with Isabelle must have shaken me to make me feel sick, but I could not let it spoil my day.

It was Saturday. It was time to visit my father.

I knew Ania and Lisa were ecstatic about it because they visited some friends living in Riverhead on Saturdays too. It wasn’t part of the agreement, but Nikolas decided to allow it so I could get some privacy with my father. I was grateful for it.

“Good morning,” I linked to Nikolas. Wanting to hear his voice to complete my morning. I wished I had seen him in the morning, but he had an important matter to attend to.

“Sleep well?” he linked back, and I giggled a bit. He always gave me butterflies, and as every day passed, I let down my defences more and more. He affected me so much that I could not hide it anymore. I was in love.

I looked at my reflection in the mirror. I was blushing. How could he have such a strong hold on me? It was an amazing feeling.

“Yes, you?” I finally replied.

“I held you all through the night,” he replied, telling me he slept well.

“I know you are excited to see your father today. Try to have fun and relax, okay. My mother won’t trouble you again,” He linked me and sighed.

“Thank you,” I said, and he was silent.

“Do not make me miss you too much,” he said, telling me not to linger into the night, and I giggled.

“I won’t,” I replied, and the connection was closed. I could tell he was busy, so I did not want to prolong our conversation. Nikolas was very kind to me. I appreciated his kindness.

I got dressed and headed out of the room. I saw Gezel at the bottom of the stairs and did not want to get into any altercation with her.

I did not look in her direction and tried to walk away quickly when she stopped me.

I really did not want anything to spoil my mood for the day. I had much to discuss with my father, and my mental state was crucial when I got to him.

“May I have a word with you, Aliana?” I heard Gezel say, and she sounded nicer than usual. I wondered what was up her sleeves. Even though Nikolas protected me and had my back always, I did not want to occupy his time with trivial matters.

“Yes, Gezel?” I asked as nicely as I could. I did not want to come across as bitchy, but there was a possibility she wouldn’t say anything nice. “I want to apologise for yesterday. I had no hand in it. I also want you to know I do not hate you and won’t trouble you again.” She said, and I fought the urge to roll my eyes.

trouble me again. After seeing what Nikolas would do, there was no point in continuing to be a bully. She

you fear Alpha. Honestly, I do not want that. If you are ever nice to me, it should be because you want to, not because you are afraid of punishment. I know you had no hand in what transpired yesterday, and I do not hold you accountable for it, but please, you do not have to pretend to like me.” I

by the moon. It is enough to be jealous over. We are taught from a young age to hate werewolves, and they are beneath us. It is a must for us Lycans. I cannot tell you I have had any issues with a werewolf, and being mean is tedious, so I want to be nice for a change and be myself. Since it is clear that Alpha is relaxing the laws around here, I hope we won’t only be civil but can be friends too. I do not want to

knowing if it was

get out of the place and see my father. I

to go now. Thank you so much for clearing this up. It means a lot to me,” I said, smiling and hurried to

Gezel and Erica had up their sleeves, but it was clear that two days with the ‘queen’ had done a number on them. I chuckled while I walked towards my father’s house, Imagining the horror they would have gone through

my father’s house and knocked

he must have spotted me from the glass b y the side of the

kitchen counter. My father had outdone himself. There was a spread of food on it for breakfast.

and went to hug

reek of your boyfriend,” he teased,

by the way?” My father asked,

fine,” I

a bandage on his wrist. I touched it

to you?” I asked, surprised at what

and his men came to the rescue. I heard the hunters came with warriors from Snow and Hill,” he said, and

believe that Nikolas did not tell me h

he had dealt with was my issue with his mother. How was 11 o know it was

a glass of juice. I lifted the

in a fight or anything like that,” ‘I said, and

you know. Maybe he didn’t want you to have that look on your face,” He said, pointing at my face,

I asked, putting down the glass and touching my

have on right now. The look of worry,”

quietly, and I kept searching for openings to tell him about Isabelle. I did not

together, and my father wanted us to work on his vegetable garden

had been a long time since we did something like that together. I looked forward to it. I was feeling a bit nauseous, but I

Snow and coming to Forest?” he said while tending to the aloe vera

I asked him, yet to figure out what I wanted to tend to in the garden. The nausea was preventing me

was not a good thing. If Forest is labelled as safe for werewolves, then

not true,” I argued, and

It was almost like the time of King Mathias when we were free,” he said, chuckling, and this was my opportunity to

his small garden. He, too, was wondering what

that Nikolas is his son?” I mentioned quickly, and he looked at me in total shock. I nodded so he would know it wasn’t a

days ago.” I said, and he ushered me back into the house. I could feel his anxiety and his shock.

asked me gently, and I nodded. He led me to the sitting room close to the

she regained her senses,” I said, and