Forged in the Flames by Karima Sa'ad Usman

The day was very long. I did not know if I should remain in the palace or spend the night in my father’s house.

Nikolas had told me he wouldn’t be spending more than two days in Hill, so there was a possibility he would return the next day and not tonight. He wasn’t in danger of anything on the road, so he might return tonight, but I doubted he would want to rush.

I decided I would spend the night in my father’s house.

I knew I couldn’t do that again once Nikolas returned. I also doubted I would want to spend the night away from Nikolas once he returned.

I closed for the night and linked Beta Qusack to inform him I would stay in my father’s house.

He was silent for a bit but then responded that it was okay. I thanked him and headed to my father’s house.

I had a lot of things bottled up inside me that I wanted to ask my father before Nikolas returned. I hoped my father would be honest and tell me exactly what happened with King Mathias.

All I had heard so far was that my father and his friends were the villains in the story, but my father was a peace-loving man. I could not see him actively moving against the King. Or maybe I was wrong because I wasn’t born when it happened.

My father hadn’t even mated with my mother then. Could his values have changed over the years? Could he have realised his mistakes and has been living in regrets? I could never tell until I spoke to him, and he has divulged his truth.

I was uncomfortable with my mission because I did not know how it would end. His health has been better since I started going to care for him. Nikolas had kept his promise on food, and there was a lot to eat. They were also allowed to buy and sell in the market. Anyone that refused to allow the werewolves was dealt with.

The only down part was we could not leave Forest, we could not choose our jobs, and we weren’t paid as well as the Lycans. What the werewolves were given was more of an allowance than wages. Still, the werewolves were getting by with free groceries on Saturdays and rights to buy and sell in the market. My father had stated clearly that we had it better than others.

As much as I hated to think about it, I, too, was getting a taste of what my life would be without Nikolas if he decided to end it.

The werewolves did not like me because I reeked of him. He had marked me with his scent, so there was no way I could wash him off.

after this, as much as I tried to be happy and take Nikolas’s words for it. Gezel’s words rang in my head. If he casts me aside, I will be alone. It was a bleak future if things go in that route, but a tiny part of me prayed it would be otherwise. I prayed it would work out and Nikolas would keep his promises to

father’s door,

tonight,” he said when he opened the door.

moved aside for me to enter and left me at the door to

plate of food on the table, and it had no protein in it. It

asked him, and he nodded and

and prepare a steak. This would do,” he

take time; I will make us some stir-fried vegetables and steak to have with the rice,” I said, and he smiled

your boyfriend returning?” he asked me, inquiring of Nikolas,

telling me to be careful many times, he

and smiled. There was no point telling him

not marry his fated. She

and her corpse, his half-brother Leon helped him with the funeral. The two were close,” My father said, and

mate?” I asked him: he sighed and bowed his

you the story because it was the past, but with all the talk of werewolves being traitors now flying around, I think it is best I

you and hurt me since I am the one they all believed betrayed the King. I fought King Mathias, Princess. Don’t get it wrong, but it isn’t how they make it sound,” he

was easy for us to communicate. My father picked

friend. I was his

was kind and did not see the divide between us. When King Fedrick ascended the throne, he wanted to enforce a slavery law, called the Lycan Unity

Aleksander was a coward,

did not have the might to go for battles, and his land was poor, so he had to keep

natural resources, so everyone traded with us. Our vast army consisted mostly of