Forged in the Flames by Karima Sa'ad Usman

Chapter 54

I went to the office and was surprised to find Qusack and Abraham there. Grant wasn’t there as usual. He wasn’t an early bird and was late for everything, so there was no need to wonder about him.

“Good morning, Alpha,” Abraham greeted me, and Qusack did the same. I responded and sat on my chair.

Three envelopes were on my table; one came with the council’s seal. It was yet to be broken. “This arrived in the night,” Qusack said, pointing at the note from the council, and I lifted it up.

“By the way, terminate Gabriel’s work. He is slowing the workers down with his illness. I do not want him working as a mason anymore,” I told Qusack.

I made it seem as if I was irritated that Gabriel’s illness was slowing down the project. No one needed to know my soft spot for Aliana except for Qusack, and the look on his face said he figured it out because there was an ‘I-told-you- so’ expression on his face.

“Where should I put him?” Qusack asked me, and I shook my head.

“Nowhere he is old and sick. More of a liability than a help. Just put him on a weekly allowance to get by,” I ordered, and Qusack nodded.

“Have the doctor examine him. I can’t let him die on my watch. He understands this place better than any of us,” I said, and Abraham nodded in agreement.

The whole pretence was for Abraham’s benefit.

Qusack was the only person I trusted who would not judge my choice to be with a werewolf. I couldn’t say the same for others.

“I will ask Grant to handle it,” Qusack said, and Abraham volunteered immediately.

“Why?” I asked Abraham.

“He is Aliana’s father, and you know Grant won’t be careful. I will do it. She might be your mistress, but I doubt she could make you happy if anything happens to her father,” he said.

I nodded, feigning boredom at his words, but he had a point there, not the one I was trying to prove, but a good point nonetheless.

I opened the letter from the council, and it read.

“Alpha Nikolas Kowalski, we hereby summon you to the council tomorrow, the eighth day of August, to come and plead your coronation case. The meeting will be held at the palace in Ice Hill in Snow at three in the afternoon.

Our host will be King Frederick Semenov.

King Aleksander Zieliriska and others will also attend.

Kindly come with two of your officers, your nominees, to represent Forest in the council. As you are yet to be named King, you will also represent Forest on the committee.

Please bring all evidence to support your claim as the rightful heir of Forest through the Late King Mathias Kowalski. We look forward to seeing you.

Committee Leader Alpha Olsen Sadowski,”

It read, and I stood up immediately.

My heart was thumping in my chest. I looked at the clock, and it was seven in the morning. 1

I was glad I woke up early.

Snow was six hours away from Forest by road. We could make it for the meeting if we left in an hour.

“What is it?” Qusack asked me.

“We have been summoned to attend the committee meeting. It will commence three this afternoon in Fredrik’s palace in Ice Hill Snow. I have been ordered to bring two officers that would represent Forest on the committee and evidence to support my claim as the rightful heir,” I said, and Qusack widened his yes.

“That is sudden,” He said, and I nodded.

knew exactly what

out since she felt better. Fredrick must know his sister is mentally unstable. He made the hearing quick, knowing I won’t be able

Qusack said, and I knew he, too, had

be in for a shock,” I said, and Qusack

we should start preparing now,” Qusack said, and

a werewolf,” He said and sighed. “By now, it isn’t a secret that werewolves are in Forest or that they roam freely even though we uphold the unity law. Besides, as an ordinary leader, I am allowed to sleep with as many werewolves as I like,” I said, and he frowned. “It will be a hard sell, but you have a point. Let’s just hope King Fredrik won’t have the bright idea to use this against you,”

him because of her hatred for Aliana, or would she testify that I uphold

to take Grant with me, not Abraham, but Abraham is learned and understands the law. I needed

laughed at how I

I hope your mother is ready for the long trip to Forest,” Qusack said, and I nodded. I got up from the table in

Qusack asked me, and I

one,

visiting you Wednesday, the thirteenth of August. I will be coming with my servant. I wanted you to know before I show up. She

be in your way. I hope I won’t be violating any

to me better, and I would not

your response on

trying to get my father to work against you. Be careful. My old man has no balls, but I

guess

come here and relax.

king, it would be stupid

take things too seriously. I needed that kind of friend. One that would always see the bright side of

for the heads-up about his father. Could it be possible that Aleksander was aware of the Hunters that came to my forest with warriors to attack my people? With what his son had written, I couldn’t put it past him. I would

“My boy, Nikolas,

hope you

his way, you will be summoned to

discredit you

disrespected him by sending hunters to Snow to hunt for Lycans and

mother and that you are holding her feral self

do not respect the unity law and thus cannot be trusted to have the best interest of Lycans in mind if

and has requested I

know you are a Kowalski, and I hope you

to be neutral for now

properly and make powerful friends from Snow

efforts. It won’t be easy, but you will figure it out. Please remember your promise on trade. Thank you,”

time to think of both letters, but one thing I was sure of was that Aleksander was assuming a neutral stance on the matter, and Fredrick was trying his

not understand his qualms with my mother, but I planned to beat him at his

to Qusack. It

the office

are you?” I linked

Niko,” she corrected me, and I felt ashamed that I

am sorry. Good morning,” I said, and

in my room having breakfast”, She

my way to

moved past my room and Aliana’s old room. I wondered if Aliana

walked briskly until I

entered before she permitted

her

moment I stepped in, Erica stood up and bowed

excused herself immediately, and my mother told her she would call her when we were done. She left,

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