Forged in the Flames by Karima Sa'ad Usman

Nikolas POV

My time with King Aleksander was informative, and I had something to work with. I planned to dig deeper to know how to deal with Fedrick. If he were my uncle and could work against me, I wondered what he did when my father was alive. I kept my suspicions to myself and focused on what was at hand I wondered what Aliana was up to and if the Lycans were giving her trouble.

I had promised I would not stay more than two days, and I planned to keep it.

Morning came, and Grant and I were invited to have breakfast with the King and his family. They ushered us to the dining room, and everyone, including the Queen, was seated. Lena looked like her mother, and the woman seemed warm.

I bowed to both of them, and they responded with respect.

Then I was asked to sit beside Piotr while Grant sat beside Lena on the opposite side of the table.

“Finally. Forest will have a king,” The Queen said, smiling at me, and I smiled back out of respect.

“Hopefully,” I said, and she frowned.

“It is rightfully yours. I am not happy with what Fedrick is doing. I hope he remembers he worked against you when you finally ascend. The man can’t see beyond his greed.” She said, and Aleksander cautioned her. She held her tongue and composed herself. “Please enjoy your meal. I hope you will stay with us a bit to meet people,” She said, and I smiled at her.

“I will be leaving tomorrow, your Majesty. I have a lot to attend to at home. We are trying to develop the place. A lot still needs to be done, and there is a need for supervision,” I said, and she nodded.

“I heard Gabriel ran the place down. I wondered what the traitor thought when he usurped power for himself.

I am glad you took back what was rightfully yours.

The bright side is that, unlike the Snow and Hill region, you have a lot of human resources in Forest, so finding cheap and free labour to get the job done won’t be hard.” She said, referring to the slaves in Forest. I composed myself and nodded, knowing it would be unwise to show sentiment towards the werewolves. Aleksander might not have issues with the werewolves, but his Queen seemed to have issues with them. “Isabelle was right about those things,” she said, hissing.

“I am glad Aleks listened to me after Mathias’s demise. I am sure the ones here would have had the bright idea of usurping power for themselves after Gabriel succeeded in Forest. You should be careful and wary of them, Nikolas. Do not let them get close to you,” she said, and Grant looked at me a bit funny with worry in his eyes. I wondered if the idiot was trying to give away my secret.

are in their place In Forest,” I

I hope you know,” She said, and I nodded. My heart was heavy while I listened

we would survive

was a traitor. Let us not generalise, Racheal,” Aleksander said, and I heard the Queen’s name

are the same,” she said, and he

your best workers are werewolves,” He countered her, her

and Isabelle, so you can relax, Racheal. He knows to be wary of Gabriel and his people, but I doubt he shares the same views with his mother. He is like Mathias.” Aleksander said, and I was shocked to know the woman said all she said so they would

dinner tonight, so you will meet the alphas in my kingdom and some of the Committee members,” He said, and I thanked him for his

join them, Father?” I heard Lena say, and my stomach churned. I remembered how she was flirting with me when I arrived and did not want

decided to speak up. “I do not think it would be necessary, your Majesty,” I said quickly, and she

am seeing someone. I just want to hang out with you two. Please relax. Seeing you, I know you are seeing someone already,” She said. I felt a bit embarrassed, but

are seeing someone?” Racheal asked her daughter, and she

look on her face showed she wasn’t lying. I wanted to laugh, but I held

nephew?” Aleksander exclaimed, and

I wiped my mouth with the napkin to excuse myself. Piotr did the same, and Grant copied. We respectfully

restaurant in town you would like. Something tells me food with my folks won’t be the same again after this. They loathe Fredrick. They hate him and anything that has to do with him. Except you, of course, and that is because of Mathias,” Piotr said,

into town with Piotr

seemed a charmer too. We drove past a lingerie store,

us check that store out,” I pointed al the store,

taste, Nikolas. I bring my girlfriend to shop there most of the time. You will love their

stopped the

the place,” he said quickly, and I told him it was okay. Grant was silent all through. We went to the shop, and

introducing me respectfully, and the women knelt immediately. They were also looking at me