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.

not trouble me again. After seeing what Nikolas would do, there was no point in continuing to be a bully. She

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

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 hate werewolves for no reason anymore,” she said, and I smiled at her. I wasn’t buying it and would not give her a chance to hurt

I said, not knowing if

of the place and see my father. I was too hungry for this and could not

a lot to me,” I said, smiling and hurried to the

Gezel and Erica had up their sleeves, but it was clear that two days with the ‘queen’ had done a number on them.

got to my father’s house and

is opened, princess,” I heard his voice, and I knew he must have spotted me from the glass b y the side of

of food on it for breakfast. My stomach growled, and I was hungry. The food

said and went to hug him. He

boyfriend,” he teased, and

My father asked, and

is fine,” I said, and

noticed a bandage on his wrist. I touched it immediately,

happened to you?” I asked, surprised at what

residents, but Nikolas and his men came to the rescue. I heard the hunters came with warriors from Snow and Hill,”

not tell

was my issue with his mother. How was 11 o know it was a miracle that

matter, princess?” My father asked, pouring me a glass of juice. I

me he was in a fight or

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

down the

one you have on right now. The look of worry,” He said,

I kept searching for openings to tell him about Isabelle. I did not want him to choke on the food, so

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

a bit nauseous, but I tried to control myself. I did not want my father to worry, but as things were, I would have to remain indoors

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

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

thing. If Forest is

I argued, and

is, darling. Compared to the others, we have it well. It was almost like the time of King Mathias when we were free,” he said, chuckling, and this

and looked around his small garden. He, too, was wondering what plant to tend to

Nikolas is his son?” I mentioned quickly, and he looked

said, and he ushered me back into the house. I could feel his anxiety and his shock. He was an alpha, after all, so his mood

room close to the

hell since she regained her senses,” I said, and he