Forged in the Flames by Karima Sa'ad Usman

I stood still at the door, and Qusack looked at me. He had a knowing look in his eyes, and I did not know how I would play it off.

“Good morning, Beta,” I said quickly and moved away from the door so he could enter. “Alpha asked me to come and check on your father,” he said and moved to where my father was.

“Please have a seat,” I offered, and he reluctantly sat.

“Should I make you a cup of tea, Beta?” I asked him, and he shook his head, accessing my father with his eyes.

“How are you feeling, Gabriel?” Qusack asked, and my father nodded.

“Better than I was yesterday.” He said, and Qusack nodded.

“Alpha wants me to thank you for defending the border yesterday. He is looking into the health care facility to improve it to standard. We had no idea of the state of the werewolf health care system, but we will ensure it is improved,” Qusack said, and my father thanked him with a smile. He looked at both of us and relaxed in the chair. I wondered what else he wanted to discuss. I wanted to continue to pretend he hadn’t heard what my father and I discussed. I hoped I was imagining it.

“Would you like coffee?” I asked, wondering why he was lingering, and he shook his head. He looked at me and accessed me.

“You do not seem well, Aliana. You look pale. Won’t you go for a check-up? Maybe you didn’t heal well.” He said, and I felt a bit embarrassed and shook my head.

“Thank you, Beta, but I feel fine,” I lied, and he smiled and nodded, dropping the matter. I wondered why he wouldn’t just leave.

“Keeping secrets from Nikolas is unwise, Aliana. Do not give him a reason not to trust you. He is already moving mountains for your sake,” He said, and I was stunned by his words.

I wasn’t keeping secrets from the Alpha.

“I am not, beta,” I said, worried about why he would put his words in that form.

“But you are,” he said and looked at my father. “I want you to tell me precisely what happened between King Mathias and you. I have heard your conversation with your daughter, but I need you to explain it. Anything that will affect Nikolas is my business,” he said sternly, and I knew he wasn’t playing.

We weren’t enemies, but he exuded dominance that made me uncomfortable.

My father told him all he had told me. He did not miss a word. Qusack was shocked at the magnitude of information my father had unfolded.

this Leon planned an uprising?” Qusack asked him, and

anyone, but it all got out of hand that night, and Giles paid the ultimate price,” My father said, and

Who attended the burial, and who saw the

too distraught.” M y father said,

Qusack asked, and I wondered how

question. I mean no harm or malice towards the Alpha and his mother. Please, it will help if I know why you are asking. I do not want to get into

I am investigating the queen, Fredrick and the past. There are some irregularities, and I am trying to piece them together. Nikolas has no clue, of course. It is a personal project between Gamma Abraham and me. Knowing what you know would

I asked him, and

against his coronation. Moreover, Fredrik is trying to claim that Nikolas isn’t the heir.” He

when I sent her to Snow,” My

she having an affair?” Qusack said, and my father could not answer

My father said, and even I could tell he was hiding

was a bad

help Nikolas. He is my best friend, and I want him to succeed. He really loves your daughter, and because of that alone, he would need all the help he can get to succeed and abolish the Unity law

that Qusack knew what Nikolas was planning. They must be

My

the only reason he is trying to be King,” he

Nikolas was deceiving me but coming from Qusack, the second in command,

belonged to Mathias. She deliberately got pregnant.

between

communication, and Mathias was misled to believe we meant to harm him. His final words to me

i t?” He

her. She had nothing to gain,” M y father said,

brother did. The same brother that refused to take her in when you set her free. The same brother that has been trying to take Forest for a while now. The same brother that does not want Nikolas to ascend.

you saying?” I asked

that attended this burial. I will also like to know where your correspondence with King Mathias was kept. If you