Forged in the Flames by Karima Sa'ad Usman

Chapter 74 Dealing With The Crazies Part 2 (Nikolas POV)

I stared at my mother, waiting for her to say what she wanted to say.

I knew it might have something to do with Aliana because I could see her calculating her approach, but I decided I would not interrupt her so she could finish.

The encroaching headache did not help matters either. However, holding out a bit longer was possible as long as she did not push me over the edge. I was standing too close and could fall off at any moment.

“Son, I am sorry for everything you have gone through. Believe me or not, I want to see you excel,” She said, and I got impatient.

“Please get to the point. I have so much to do, and I still have to take the prince sightseeing,” I said to her, sounding more impatient than I intended.

My tone had hurt her feelings. I could see it, so I exhaled to calm down.

“I am sorry, Mother,” I managed to apologise, and she nodded with misty eyes. Her tears did nothing to me, but there was no need to rub it in.

“That girl isn’t good for you, Niko. She will cost you everything. You wouldn’t know what I just found out,” She said, and I wanted to shut her up, but I chose to hear it all first.

“What did you find out about Aliana now, Mother?” I asked her, and she sighed.

“I know you have said you will settle down with a Lycan when the time comes, but it seems this girl does not plan to walk away when the time is due. She wants to remain in your life permanently. I mean like a leech,” She said, and I was getting to my limits with her because of her choice of words, but I still chose to remain calm.

“I do not plan to release her, either, so get straight to the point,” I said, sounding bored. Her countenance changed, but she tried to mask her anger.

I did not need to pretend with her anymore. She had failed at the one task I needed her for, so her opinion did not matter anymore.

“There is a rumour that she might be pregnant. I know she is on birth control. Doctor Newton confirmed it. I think she hasn’t been taking her meds. I think she is doing this deliberately. You need to have her tested to be sure because if it is true, then getting that crown would be a thing of the past. Fredrick will come after you, Niko. I am sure she knows and wants to get revenge for what you did to her father,” my mother said, and I wondered where my mother had heard the rumour from.

“Who told you this?” I asked her, and she was reluctant to respond.

“Does it matter, dear,” She said, and I banged my hand on the table before I could get a grip of myself.

“Of course, it matters, mother. It matters a lot,” I said through gritted teeth, and she nodded quickly, getting scared.

“Erica heard people talking about it, so I reached out to Dr Newton this morning, and he said it wasn’t possible because she was on birth control, but if I can talk to you so he can run an examination on her, we would know.

I told him to go ahead, but he refused, saying that is your call to make. That is why I am here. I think we need to know so we can stop this madness before it gets out of hand. If it turns out negative, then we can stop the rumour with the facts,” she said, and Bane began to growl. She actually believed she was making sense and doing the right thing. My mother was living inside her head because she would know I was getting angry if she was sensitive.

I planned to deal with Erica mercilessly. I remained silent while my mother waited for a response.

Soon I controlled myself and leaned forward to speak to her.

to mind your business, I will send you to Snow, where you belong,” I told her, and she was

I had pent up, and now I had

office,” I linked Erica while my mother was still recovering from what I had told her. I meant it, really.

trying to protect your interest. I know you are fond of that girl, but…”

love her, so please stop this nonsense. I do not care about how anyone feels about my choices. We might not be able to be together because of the unity law, but I love her still. If you truly love me, Mother, you will stop looking for ways to be rid of her. You

speechless, and I did not

and amidst the pyramid of problems

at her and

Fredrick will attack us,”

I can love her. I need you to stop looking for ways to be rid of Aliana. She has done nothing to you. She wasn’t even conceived at the time of the uprising. She is innocent, so please stop. I do not want to hear anything about Aliana from you again. If you do not like her, you can do me a favour and keep your opinions to yourself and keep your distance,”

in, looking

her and was surprised

mother pleaded silently, but she was in the middle of it.

you heard rumours about Aliana being pregnant. Where did you hear this?” I asked her,

from me, Erica, so it is best you tell me the truth now”, I warned

at the Werewolf Clinic said she suspected that

the news,” I said, and she shook her

did not tell anyone.” She said, and I linked Qusack to join me in my office. I planned

clinic?” I asked, leaning back on my chair, and she nodded quickly. I could smell her fear

her name?” I asked

said on

you start making friends with half- breeds?” I

a half-breed friend, Erica, knowing how horrible you are to them,” I asked,

acquaintances,” she

I corrected her, knowing she indeed got the information from someone in

the information?” I asked her, and she

knew it wasn’t as easy

to walk away, but you remained. What did my mother promise you, Erica, and what have you been giving this

when you were travelling to Snow. That day I followed her and found that she had visited the clinic. I managed to ask Kristine to monitor her and report her activities at the clinic to me. I paid her with two pieces of bronze coins,” she said quickly, and I looked

are away,” My mother said, trying to justify

exchange for this level of loyalty?” I asked Erica,

I will have Qusack force it out of you, and we both know he can be merciless like me. Now, mind you, I will know if

cheeks, and she kept looking at

my mother to bail her out, but my mother had her own skin to worry about, so she just

amazing how quickly my mother could abandon someone

transpired in the past. It was clear she wasn’t loyal. I wondered how deep her deception