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.

are savages. They grew up in the wild and lack empathy and patience. One wrong 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 family

stay alive, for my

those alive that can 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

needed me to promise, so I reluctantly

sternly, and I looked at him

and he looked

remain alive, and this is the only way,”

in his fifties and did not have many warriors anymore because of all the warriors we sent to help

the savages now, we

my wolf, and my father sighed, knowing he would

helping my father by carrying out the luna’s duties kept me single. As things were,

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

my age was a disgrace, but it was bearable as long as I was around to care for my father. The takeover

father said, and I could hear

It was a matter of choosing between the devil and the deep blue

out, and they asked

asked to line up. Ordinary pack members were sleeping in their homes. I noticed all our

deep voice say, and everyone looked

his left eye, dark hair

was about six feet seven inches. It was no doubt

on his neck and hands, visible only where his shirt

civilised. He did not look like a man that grew up in the wild. He had indeed come a

quickly averted my eyes. I was glad he ignored me because he didn’t say

also known as The Prince of

packs in the territory, and Alpha Gabriel has signed his pack rights and power over to me. He has sworn by his wolf to serve me and be loyal.

all answer to

defiance will be seen as treasonous, equating to death. Any rule broken will be seen as treason, so be careful to keep my rules.”

Gabriel Nowak, step forward,” he said, and I watched my

do because even though he wasn’t a lycan, he was

out, and Nickolas’s

stern expression, and I could

submission and allegiance,” He said, and people

man,” he repeated,

in front of me in the centre, so his back was facing me, and I saw his hands shaking on his sides. He

my father shook his head, trying to still

too much. He has given you the pack and his position already. There is no need to humiliate him like this,” I said, and everyone went quiet.

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

father said quickly, trying to protect me, and the man refused to