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.

After seeing what Nikolas would do, there was no point in continuing to be a bully. She had no choice but to be

you are ever nice to me, it should be because you want to, not because you are afraid of punishment. I know you

is as if it was ordained 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 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 me, but I didn’t have to be a bitch about it, either. If she was being genuine, then it must have taken a lot for her to wait for me by

knowing if it was

father. I was too hungry for this and could not keep my father

this up. It means a lot to me,” I said, smiling and hurried to

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 having to serve the ‘queen’. Too

my father’s house and knocked on the

and I knew he must have spotted me from the glass b y the side of the door. So I figured he was in the

and looked towards the kitchen counter. My father had outdone himself. There was a spread of food on it for breakfast. My stomach growled, and I was hungry. The food

hug him. He kissed

of your boyfriend,” he

by the way?” My father asked, and i t was an

I said,

on his wrist. I touched

asked, surprised at what

to the rescue. I heard the

Nikolas did not tell me

was 11 o know it was a miracle that he was alive?

princess?” My father asked, pouring me a

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

to have that look on your face,” He said, pointing at my face, and I frowned

down

have on right now. The look of

him about Isabelle. I

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

it. I was feeling a bit nauseous, but I tried to control myself. I did not want my father to

and coming to Forest?” he said while

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

is believed that Forest is still safe for werewolves,” he said, and I frowned because that was not a good thing. If Forest is labelled as safe for werewolves,

is not true,” I argued, and

of King Mathias when we were free,” he said, chuckling, and this was my opportunity

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

know that Nikolas is his son?” I mentioned quickly, and he looked at me in total shock. I nodded so he would know

mother is Queen Isabelle, the feral woman I was caring for. She gained her sanity two days ago.” I said, and he ushered me back into

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

has been giving me hell since she regained her senses,” I said, and he