Forged in the Flames by Karima Sa'ad Usman

Aliana POV

I sat on Nikolas’s lap in his mother’s room, waiting for her to wake up I wasn’t happy that day because I realised my father was made to work long hours.

His health wasn’t good, but I dared not bring it up with Nikolas.

I felt like a failure.

I felt like I was betraying my father, but there was just so much I could do in a temporary relationship.

What if I say or request something that would annoy him?

I did not want my people to be worse off than they already were. I was tom.

I cared about Nikolas a lot, but I also knew it would end one day.

Discussing the birth control pill with him was very important because I doubted he would understand if I got pregnant, and I did not want to bring a child that would be rejected into the world.

I was yet to ask Ania and Lisa why they were referred to as halfbreeds. Still, I somehow knew it had much to do with why they were maids and why Lisa always warned me to be cautious. Could it be possible that they were rejected because they were half-werewolves? If that was the case, what quality of life would my child have?

Going on birth control was for the best. Nikolas had bent so much already, I did not want to push it.

If he was going to make any change, it should be because he wanted to and not because I pressured him

The physician entered the queen’s room and handed me a packet of pills. He told me when to start taking it and how I should take it. He also warned me not to stop taking it, or it would be ineffective.

Nikolas was there for it, and he did not say anything. I collected the medication, and the doctor left.

There was an awkward silence between us for about five minutes long before Nikolas finally spoke.

“I will figure something out, Aliana. Do not write what we have off.” He said, rubbing my back gently, and I smiled at him.

“I am not sad, Nikolas . I am happy that I wouldn’t have to resort to drinking that painful tea. Thank you,” I said and got off his lap to place the medication in my pocket. His eyes said he did not believe what I was saying, but he let it rest. Honestly, it would have been nice to have a family with him. Ruthless or not, he was a loving and responsible man. He would have been a wonderful husband and father. I took comfort in knowing we would have a good king.

We cared for the queen when she woke up, and as always, he left me to attend to pack matters while I returned to the room.

I slept early that night. I did not bother staying up for him or looking out the window to see what he was doing in the garden. It had become a routine, and I wanted to break it.

I felt him in the night when he came to bed and pulled me close to his b*ody.

smelled of alcohol, so I knew he must have drunk a lot before coming to bed. I wondered

he would want to share his problems with me, and I dared

following day. Lisa and Ania accompanied me, and I was nervous to see him. I got to his house, and my heart was pounding

did not know how I would feel

we will be able to communicate genuinely. I trusted Ania

tears streamed down my face. He looked tired, and I did not need to know why.

as if Nikolas wanted my

I stepped in. I knew I reeked of Nikolas, but I could do nothing. He had marked me with his scent, and we slept in the same bed

have been fine, and you?” I asked him, and he nodded. I frowned at him, and he looked at Ania

my friends, Daddy, they won’t

guess he needed to be sure of Lisa.

bed, and he sat beside me. “I am so happy to see you, Aliana. I wondered if I would ever see you again, knowing he keeps you locked up in that place. How is he treating you?” He asked me, and I

Almost as if he loves me, but I know it is an illusion. I also know he isn’t as bad as we thought he was,” I

hateful, and I wonder why,” my father said, and I sighed. I knew that part of Nikolas too.

feral. I take care of her daily/’ I said, and my father

mother is in there with you

her every day. She is docile now since we feed her well,

cut off from their pack and Alpha for a long time. He just has a need to blame someone for it. Maybe it makes him feel better,” my father said, and I shrugged because Nikolas had never told me what happened. I was also afraid to ask because he is emotional about the things that concern his mother. I did not want things to go back to the way it was. If he cuts me off this time, I will not be able to handle it.

are things in that

well. We even sleep in the

with werewolves. Remember what he said when he took you. He said you would have no honour and would never wear

way I could tell him that I was head over heels for Nikolas, and he made my heart beat in a certain way that I could not explain. There was no way that I could tell him that I fantasised about spending the rest of my life with Nikolas and having his children. There was

the topic and pamper him a bit before I left. He bowed his head and sighed,

to heart. I just want you to know what is going on out here,” he said, and I knew what he had to say

market. So some of us have resulted in growing our food. I have

continue to multiply.” He said, and I was

rent. They also cut our wages whenever they like. The free groceries that we are supposed to get

we share the free groceries among ourselves,

this the easiest he

to solve this issue,’ Raven said,

some,” My father said, and I shook my head. I did not want to see it

much time together, and soon

not know when Nikolas would let me see him again, but I hoped this

returned to the palace, and I