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.

me, tears filled my eyes.

us a shitty card? Everything was great. A baby would ruin everything. Our love, our lives and his aspirations to be King. A baby would mean

I be so careless? I should have done some research instead of taking what that quack said. Clearly, he knows nothing about

to reality, and

beat fast.

Aliana,” Raven said, and I tried to compose myself the

outcome of the meeting I attended in Snow. And he said some interesting things.” He said

father told you about his history with my father and mother. I need to know what he shared with you before I speak to him,” he

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

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

Some officers too. She made passes at my father, and he refused her. She hated him for it,” I said quickly, rushing

He said

be there. I need you there so I can control my temper. Do you think it is something you can do?” he asked

when you are angry, Nikolas? Even I can’t protect myself from your rage,” I confessed, remembering the few encounters I had with him when he was

my cheek

are my center,” he said and k*issed me on my lips. I hope his

then, there was a knock on the door, and

We dared not link each other because we knew Nikolas1 s

reminds me,” Nikolas started while Ania remained

of them attended to you?” Nikolas asked, and Ania hurried out of

to be around for what I was

over his, and he

jeopardise your mission. Know that I mean well and will do anything

at a distance, afraid

you afraid, and why are you crying?

people and me….” I said my body was trembling on its own because there was no time he told me his rules did not stand. We discussed many things, but having a baby

I do not know what the issue is. You are getting me

time he wouldn’t know. I knew it had to come from me. I had to tell him, or he would feel hurt and

clinic yesterday, and they ran a series of tests, and the

was quiet. Even the air was still. I stood there waiting for Nikolas to react, but he remained frozen. Soon he bowed his head and rested it on

on birth control?” He finally said without

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