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

better. Fredrick must know his sister is mentally unstable. He made the hearing quick, knowing I won’t

eager to discredit you,” Qusack said, and I knew he, too,

would be in for a shock,”

start preparing now,” Qusack

in Forest or that they roam freely even though we uphold the unity law. Besides, as an ordinary leader, I am allowed to sleep

mother would side with him because of her

will be coming with me. I will leave Grant in charge,” I said, and Qusack was confused because I was supposed to take Grant with me, not Abraham, but Abraham is learned and understands the law. I needed someone

laughed at how I put it. It was

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

the other letters?” Qusack asked me,

first one, and

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

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

tend to me better, and I would not want to

your response on the matter. Thank

against you. Be careful. My old man has no balls, but I am sure you

need to guess that this servant might be

come here and relax. It was

would be the next Hill king, it would

seriously. I needed

that Aleksander was aware of the Hunters that came to my forest with warriors to attack my people? With what his

“My boy, Nikolas,

hope you

way, you will be summoned to

is trying to discredit you on

disrespected him by sending hunters to Snow to hunt for Lycans and werewolves; he said

that you are holding

do not respect the unity law and thus cannot be trusted to

has requested I

are a Kowalski, and I hope you can prove

for now

position yourself properly and make powerful

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

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

understand his qualms with my mother, but I planned to beat him at

to Qusack. It

rushed out of the office to speak

you?”

and I

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

my room having breakfast”,

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

moved past my room and Aliana’s old room. I wondered if Aliana was still in bed or had left for the clinic.

I

before she permitted

saw her

about something, but the moment I stepped in, Erica stood up and bowed her

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

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