Forged in the Flames by Karima Sa'ad Usman

I woke up feeling sick in the night. Nikolas was sitting on the couch attending to some documents. He seemed to be engrossed in what he was doing. I looked at the clock, and it was eight in the night. How could I have slept throughout the afternoon? I was hungry and nauseous simultaneously, and I did not know what to do.

Feeling the vomit coming while my stomach ached. I got off the bed and rushed to the bathroom immediately. I got to the toilet seat and emptied whatever was in my stomach.

Seeing that it was the food I had in the morning, I figured I might be suffering from indigestion. Was it part of the symptoms?

“Are you alright, little wolf? Did you catch a bug?” Nikolas asked me with concern. I knew he was by the door because his voice was close, but I did not want to look in his direction. I did not want to lie to his face.

“I am fine; it is just indigestion,” I said and went to the sink to rinse my mouth. He was quiet and did not say a word.

Once I was done, I looked at him and walked out of the bathroom, brushing past him.

He held my hand to stop me from moving away and pulled me to his chest.

“Are you sure you are alright, little wolf? You are scaring me. First, you sleep for so long and now throw up. What did the nurse at the Clinic say?” he asked, and I tried to wiggle out of his arms.

“I am hungry,” I replied and went to the table where they usually place the food. I opened the dishes, and the food was cold. For some reason, I didn’t want to eat cold food. Nikolas noticed because he chuckled.

“I will ask Ania to bring something hot for you,” He said, moving past me to sit on the couch.

His question about the Clinic lingered in the air, and I did not know how to avoid it. I really did not know what to do.

I stood frozen by the table, refusing to move from the spot, knowing I would have to answer his question once I turned around. I did not know how long it would take me to figure out what to tell, but I doubted I had time.

“I heard you retired all the werewolf elders working for you,” I said, remembering what the nurse had told me at the Clinic.

I looked at Nikolas, and he smiled at me. “A kind gesture for my woman,” he said, resting his back on the couch. He looked handsome with his unbuttoned shirt and semi- wet hair. Nikolas was breathtakingly handsome, and I am sure he knew it.

The scar added to his looks. It made him look strong and dangerous.

I still wondered who got close enough to harm him like that. He must not have had access to his wolf when it happened hence why it scared him, but I guess that was his secret to tell.

“I learned your father is hypertensive,1’ He said, and I nodded.

“Thank you so much for being kind to him. I know, to you, he does not deserve it, but I am grateful,” I said quickly, and his smile dropped. “At this point, I do not know what Gabriel deserves, Little wolf,” he said and looked at me. “Come here, don’t stand over there; you make me feel like a monster,” he said with a smile, making me chuckle. He laughed too, and I went to sit beside him.

moment he held me, tears filled my eyes. I was afraid of the outcome of our

everything. Our love, our lives and his aspirations to be King. A baby would mean bye-bye to the

should have done some research instead of taking what that quack said. Clearly, he knows nothing about reproduction.

back to reality, and I looked

beat fast. Had he found out? Did someone tell him? Ania or Lisa,

said, and I tried to compose myself the best

I attended in Snow. And he said some interesting things.” He said and then made me look

father and mother. I need to know what he shared with you before I speak to him,” he said on a

speak of it. You might not like what he said about your mother,”

affair with my uncle Leon?” He asked, and I

passes at my father, and he refused her. She hated him for it,” I said quickly, rushing through my words, waiting

He said and

I want you to be there. I need you there so I can control my temper. Do you think it is something you can do?” he asked me, and I looked at him

myself from your rage,” I confessed, remembering the few encounters I had with him when he

my cheek gently

you, little wolf. You are my center,” he said and k*issed me on my lips. I hope his opinion will remain the same after I tell him

was a knock on the

because we knew Nikolas1 s ability.

reminds me,” Nikolas started while Ania remained in the

nurses at the Clinic. Which of them attended to you?” Nikolas asked, and Ania hurried out

to be around for

over his, and he

anything to jeopardise your mission. Know that I mean well and will do anything to please you.” I said, and tears started streaming down

before him at a distance, afraid of his reaction when I

wolf. What is the matter? Why are you afraid, and why are you crying? Are you ill?” he asked me, and

required of me, Nikolas, I swear. I will never abuse your kindness towards my people and me….” I said my body was trembling on its own because there was no time

to stop this and tell me the matter. I can’t deal if I do not know what the issue is. You are getting me worried and making my wolf restless,” he

and wiped away my tears. There was no time he wouldn’t know. I knew it had to come from me. I had to tell him,

ran a series of tests, and the nurse said I am pregnant,” I said

stood there waiting for Nikolas to react, but he

were on birth control?” He finally

show him. I had placed it on the table before him when I realised