Forged in the Flames by Karima Sa'ad Usman

“Come out, come out, they have arrived!” A voice rang in my head, and I did not need to know why my father’s Delta would call us to come out in the middle of the night.

The day was hectic because my father used most of it to move from the big house to one of the tiny houses in the pack compound.

The big packhouse used to be a palace.

My father had taken over the pack after the werewolves in our territory had joined forces and sacked one of the Lycan kings that plagued our lands.

I learned the man was evil, and he never showed mercy.

It was imperative to defeat him because his belief that Lycans were superior to werewolves led him to take steps leading to the enslavement of my kind.

It was my father, along with his friends, that liberated us.

I sat up in bed, a bit reluctant to go out, but if Delta Israel was right, I had no choice but to come outside.

My father had broken the sad news to me in the morning about him having to concede to the challenge the savage prince of rogues, Nikolas, had given him.

My father said he could not allow people to die because of his pride. He further told me that he had negotiated with the Rogue Prince, and the prince agreed to care for the pack members if my father swore by his wolf to submit.

I doubted if the Lycans could be trusted, but my father was hopeful because he knew we wouldn’t win a war with them, and he was right.

Alpha Nikolas was a rogue Lycan of unknown origin that made a name by conquering every pack in our territory.

We were the only ones standing, and we knew it was only a matter of time before he came calling.

Obviously, we were his primary target because he ensured he conquered every pack around us to isolate and trap us, pending the time he would strike.

Unlike the other alphas, my father chose peace over his pride and dignity, and I hoped he wouldn’t regret it.

I learned the savage prince grew up in the wilderness, packless and grew his army by creating a pack of rogues.

They were a mix of savage Lycans like him, known to be deadly and ruthless.

I wondered how my father could give his pack away to such people. There was no guarantee they would keep their promise, but it was better than fighting to the death.

I managed to get off the bed and headed outside my room. I saw my father approaching, and it was clear he was coming to me.

“Aliana,” he said almost in a whisper, and I frowned at him.

He walked to me with a smile, but his eyes spoke otherwise; he looked afraid and hopeless. He placed both hands on my shoulders and made me look up at him.

“I know you are brave and determined. But I need you to be a coward,” He said, and I frowned at him, wondering why he was telling me this. It went against everything he taught me.

“Listen to me, Aliana,” He said with teary eyes.

move, and we are dead. I did not sacrifice my dignity to watch you die. Gwendolyn will not forgive me if anything happens to you. You are the only

alive, for my

fight another day. There is no defeating these savages. I have done this so we can continue to exist. Please promise me you will not aggravate them and always keep your head bowed. Promise me that your wolf will not challenge them. Promise me that you and Raven will not disobey and disrespect the rogue prince,” he said with misty eyes. Tears welled in my eyes because I knew life wouldn’t be easy

needed me to promise,

said sternly, and I looked at him

I said, and

remain alive, and this is the only way,” he

warriors anymore because of all the warriors we sent to help the neighbouring packs during

defied the savages now, we would

but I won’t swear by Raven,” I said, refusing to swear by my wolf, and my father sighed, knowing he would have to make

to twenty-two, so I should be mated, but helping my father by carrying out the luna’s duties kept me single.

go on a journey to find a mate worthy to come home with me and rule in my father’s stead, but that was

unclaimed at my age was a disgrace, but it was bearable as long as I was around to

father said, and I could hear the fear

a matter of choosing between

went out, and they

only those living in the pack compound were asked to line up. Ordinary pack members were sleeping in their homes. I noticed all our pack elites were in

voice say, and everyone

a scar across his left eye, dark hair and

six feet seven inches. It was no doubt he was a

and hints of tattoos on his neck and

the scar, there was nothing savage about the man. He looked neat and civilised. He did not

until he caught my gaze, and I quickly averted my eyes. I was glad he

The Prince of

signed his pack rights and power over to me. He has sworn by his wolf to serve

all answer to

Any rule broken will be seen

step forward,” he said, and I watched my father reluctantly step forward with

for him to do because even though he wasn’t a lycan, he was still

walked out, and Nickolas’s

expression, and I could hardly

your submission and allegiance,” He said, and people started to murmur. What he was asking my father

man,” he repeated, dangerously looking at my

me, and I saw his hands shaking

Nikolas asked, and my father shook his head, trying to still his hands, trying

pack and his position already. There is no need to humiliate him like this,” I said, and everyone went

are you, and who asked you to speak?” Alpha Nikolas

is nobody,” my father said quickly, trying to protect me, and the man refused to