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

mentally unstable. He made the hearing quick, knowing I won’t be able to prove my claims due to my mother’s mental health. He will be surprised to see my mother alive

discredit you,” Qusack said, and I knew he, too, had done the

would be in for a shock,” I

we should start preparing now,” Qusack said, and

with 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

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

Qusack was confused because I was supposed to take Grant with me,

Abraham laughed at how I put it. It

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

asked me, and I had

first one, and it was from

be coming with my servant. I wanted you to know before I show up.

I hope I won’t be violating any laws by

tend to me better, and

response on the

work against you. Be careful. My old man has no

need to guess that this

allow him to come here and relax. It

king, it would be stupid to reject his

kind of liked the guy. He was jovial and didn’t take things too seriously.

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 just have to be careful. I picked up the

“My boy, Nikolas,

you

has his way, you will be summoned to

discredit you

to Snow to

that Isabelle isn’t your mother and that you are holding her feral self captive to pretend she is your

thus cannot be trusted to have the best interest of Lycans in mind if

has requested I

a Kowalski, and

neutral for now to avoid a war with

properly and make

you will figure it out. Please remember your promise on trade.

one thing I was sure of was that Aleksander was

understand his qualms with my mother, but I planned

over to Qusack. It was seven

of the office

are you?” I

me, and I felt ashamed that I did not greet

am sorry. Good morning,” I said, and she

room having breakfast”, She

am on my way to you/’ I said, closing the

I wondered if Aliana was still in bed or had left

I arrived at my

entered before she permitted me to enter.

her with

laughing about something, but the moment I stepped in, Erica

excused herself immediately, and my mother told her she would call her when we were done. She left, and I did not have time for a lengthy

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