Forged in the Flames by Karima Sa'ad Usman

We soon arrived at the palace. It was an old stone wall building like mine. It wasn’t in disrepair, and they had upgraded the place, but they had maintained the old features, which gave it an elegant and antique look. We alighted the car, and Qusack handed the car keys to the valet to park. My mother stood at the entrance and looked at the building. I saw tears stream down her cheeks; she was reliving her memory of the past. She was frozen to the spot.

“Fred didn’t let me enter, you know,” She said and looked at me.

Tears in her eyes. This was a real pain, not the pretence she put up just so she could have her way.

My mother was wearing her pain on her sleeves.

‘‘He did not let me in. They took my nannies from me. I was heavily pregnant, and Fredrick could not look upon me with pity,” she said.

“I was kneeling here pleading that he let me in. I told him my husband was dead and those werewolves had taken over Forest. I told him I needed shelter. This was also my home. I grew up here,” She said, wiping away her tears.

“He said I was useless. He called me a disgrace. Said I should have died with my husband. Said it was shameless of me to accept a werewolf’s kind gesture. He said he had no kingdom to share with me since I could not rule what was already mine by marriage,” She said and sniffled.

“I told him I just needed shelter and would return when my child was of age, and he laughed. He took my nannies and chased me away. Looking back now, I wonder how I made it alone. Out there with no one to help me and nowhere to go. I thought of crossing the sea, but the three kingdoms were all I had ever known. I was trapped,” she said, and I went to hold her. She had never shared this pain with me before. It was profound, and it hurt her deeply. I wondered why Fredrick would be cruel to his own sister. It was a shame.

I held her hand, and we entered the palace. My mother looked at the place like a stranger. It was clear the building had been modified a great deal.

We were ushered to the hall where the meeting was to be held.

People were already present.

I somehow knew King Aleksander was around.

With just thirty minutes to go, I knew everyone would be around other than Fredrick. We entered the hall, and people began to murmur when they saw us.

We were led to a place that had seats reserved for Forest. There were six seats altogether, but only four of us had come.

I noticed people looking and whispering. Some even pointed at my mother and me.

I did not know what to make of their actions, but I ignored them. I looked at the throne, and there were two seats there. King Aleksander was already sitting on one.

He looked at me and winked, and then his eyes fell upon my mother. It didn’t linger when he looked away. I knew they might have history, but I wondered how deep it ran.

There was a long table with chairs on one side. It was on a lower level after the throne. Some men were seated there, and they were all looking at us. I knew those were the committee leaders.

There were three empty seats on the table, which were apparently reserved for my nominees and me. The rest of the hall had people. They were just representatives and members of the committee, preferably floor members.

Soon the tall doors on the other side of the hall opened, and a tall, brawny man walked through. Everyone except King Aleksander stood up to pay their respects.

I saw the man emerge, and he looked like my mother.

The resemblance was striking, and I could see myself too.

He was indeed family.

I knew it was Fredrick, and the thought of that alone made me want o sit down and blatantly disrespect this man.

He looked dangerous, with battle scars on his right cheek. He wasn’t peaceful, so he was expected to sustain injuries on his wicked missions. That was what I called what he did. Taking people by force against their will was wicked. I was taking back what was mine by attacking the Forest, but he was stealing what did not belong to him by attacking and bullying others. I had no respect for the bastard.

He went to his throne and sat down. Aleksander extended a handshake, and Fredrik took it. They both bowed to each other, showing they were equal before he sat.

The meeting started.

of the committee greeted everyone and told us what was on the itinerary, with

of Forest. He is here to demand his rights. Although he has conquered the territory and taken it back from the werewolves. He would rather be recognised as a Kowalski than a new king should we choose to crown him,” The man

and bowed to greet the

claim to be King Mathias’ son. I am his son, and I have come with my mother to

not know

have many reasons why we have decided not to

asked my mother,

with venom in her

heard you went feral. You are one lucky wolf,” He said and laughed, and some people laughed with him. I was mad but controlled myself. My mother had asked me to do

Izzy. I didn’t know a woman like you would have that much fight in her. Pray, tell me what you ate while in the bush,” He said, and it was out of line, but no one dared tell him to be quiet. My mother did

see, she is well, and she

heartily and shook his

about her escapades in the palace before you were conceived.” He said, and I frowned at

was about to say, but I doubted the man would

was a whore. A power-hungry one at that.

He challenged my mother, and she couldn’t

she was sleeping with him thinking he would be given the kingship of Forest. She had no interest in Mathias. Leon was the love of her life. The key to making her a queen. Her key to the Forest kingdom. Leon did not

They didn’t stop there, really. They continued their love even after she had married Mathais. Some of the Rendezvous was held here. Am I lying, Izzy?” He asked her, and my mother

That was when she became cheap. She slept around a lot after that. Some of her lovers were werewolf

advances to the King’s Beta,” he said,

are not here to discuss my mother, your majesty,” I

lad. I am telling you this

by Mathias at the time of his death, and there is

is no guarantee you are Mathias’s blood. She should have

so it is yours regardless of what he thinks about

right to be crowned because I

have to tick. You must achieve a long list of things for my colleague and me to deem you worthy of being equal.” He

wrong, Fredrick. He looks like Mathias, and you know Isabelle. Why do you want to put him

showing that their opinion

King because I was beginning to

illegitimate heir by his fated werewolf mate whom I have raised as my nephew for years,”

bastard!! How could you, Fred!!” my mother called, and Olsen

he warned her and I could see how unfair the Lycan world was. Fredrick had insulted my mother and his sister, and no one cautioned him, but my

died. Leon buried her and the child.” My mother said, and he

Leon did not want a half-breed to be heir to the Forest

seem like the King was lying either. I

like a conniving bastard. If he wasn’t, why bring his lover to my father to marry? I had a lot of digging to do. My mother had lied to me too much

what is the way forward,

favour that we give him the crown assuming his Mathias’ son say, Aye,” Fredrick said, and Aleksander and the people in Hill

did not

of those in support was counted, and it totalled

Nay,” Fredrick said through gritted teeth. He

stuck his neck out for me. I hoped he would not regret

from the Hill kingdom, said Nay, giving

Abraham in the council and they voted in

it is clear that we look at the other matter,” Olsen