Forged in the Flames by Karima Sa'ad Usman

Piotr arrived at six in the evening. I was told of his arrival and left the room to receive him in the foyer. Getting down the stairs, I saw him with a pretty red-head. She was very attractive, and I believed my theory about her, but I maintained a stern expression. Piotr’s eyes lit up when he saw me, and I could see true joy in his eyes. Seeing him now, I felt terrible that I believed his father had sent him to spy on me. The man genuinely liked me.

I reached them and extended a handshake.

“You are welcome, your highness,” I said, and he shook my hand.

“Thank you for having me, your majesty,” he said, and I laughed. Piotr had referred to me as a king from the moment we met.

“Fredrick denied me the crown, so I am just an alpha for now,” I corrected him, but he shook his head, disagreeing.

“Fredrick’s opinion about you is divided. It won’t take much to sway some of Fredrick’s people to your side. I know you will be King. It is in your aura,” He said, and I raised my eyebrows, indicating I knew he was patronizing me. Still, he shook his head, laughing and swearing he was telling the truth. I wondered if reading auras was his specialty. I tried not to amuse myself any further and killed the thought.

“I am happy to have you in Forest. I hope your stay will be pleasant,” I said, and he pulled the red-haired woman close. She went on her knees immediately. It had been a while since I had seen a slave act this way.

“Rise,” I said, not knowing her name, and she reluctantly got on her feet. I did not miss that she did not want to kneel but had no choice.

“Her name is Natasha; isn’t she a beauty?” Piotr asked me, and I nodded. Then he looked behind me as if searching for something.

“Where is your werewolf mistress?” He asked enthusiastically.

“I learned she is the daughter of the man that murdered your father. You are indeed a hard man,” he said, and I cleared my throat uncomfortably.

“Well, you should freshen up, and we can have dinner together. The servants will show Natasha to her room,” I said, looking for his trouble, and he shook his head.

“No need; she sleeps in my room. She serves me better when close by. I do not want to wake up and look for her,” he said, trying to justify the need to have Natasha sleep in his room, and I chuckled a bit.

Nothing he said made sense, but I allowed it. I understood his predicament, and I knew she would give him hell for making her kneel like that and talking about her as if she was nothing. I really did not want to be in his shoes right now. The look in Natasha’s eyes had said it all. i “As you wish,” I said, and he nodded.

Gezel came towards us and led them up the stairs to their room.

I linked Aliana to get ready for dinner. I did not want to invite my mother so she would not make it awkward. She had a natural hatred for werewolves, and I had forced her to somehow put up with Aliana; I did not want her to have more to talk about, and I wanted to keep Piotr’s business his business and no one else’s.

go to my office

office, I linked Qusack to join me, and he was

not wait for me to tell him to enter when he stepped in. He looked tired, and I felt like a lazy bum because while he

the rest because it gave

day been?” I asked Qusack,

he replied and relaxed, resting his back against

to the werewolf clinic to see Nurse Alison,” he said, and I leaned

She refused to give up Aliana. She denied attending to her and claimed she did not know what I was talking about until I proved

tell anyone about the baby. She even offered to work as Aliana’s private nurse to be her midwife and help her through her pregnancy. I did not oblige. I told her I would have to discuss it with you and then get back to her.” He said, and I knew that

what I now know about Newton, I decided to approve her

to her tomorrow and approve her service in the palace. I want Aliana protected and cared for. Regardless of what is going on, I want my child to be well,

way, I want to tell you that Abraham

came from Hill, just as your mother

abandoned library with a lot of correspondence in

letters

would be kept close to the

investigation, Abraham and I must review

take a

that I found some letters signed by Gabriel and one written by him, demanding that your father let them settle in Woodland. Seeing that letter, I believe what he told us, but we are still

out something valuable when we

of his family; his residence

He said, and I was stunned by all he had

and organise my thoughts when Qusack leaned forward to ask

of my shock to answer

be alive. They might create another problem for me. I want to believe that everything died the night of the fight, but a tiny part of me believes there is more to the story and that Gabriel’s part is only a piece of

word with Newton,” he

in Timber because we plan to start training warriors, and he requested to send someone else. He said he is your personal Physician and would