Forged in the Flames

Chapter 61

We arrived at Forest in the early hours.

Compared to what we discovered on our way to Snow, I realised we were relaxed about security. I needed to find a way to make our defence and protection more efficient. Above all, training the werewolves was necessary because I doubted the journey to get the crown would be easy.

I alighted the car and entered the palace.

I could feel people’s eyes on me. I was sure by now news had travelled about what I went to do in Snow. I was sure they were wondering if I got the crown. I knew they would soon find out what King Fredrick had to say about me and my mother.

I felt a wash of shame just thinking about it. Being called a bastard was hurtful, no matter how I tried to mask it. Fredrick got me there, and it was all thanks to my mother.

I felt ashamed remembering everything Fredrick said about me and my mother in public. The way the committee was silent and how people looked at us attentively.

I felt alone.

Aleksander had made an effort, but I was alone at the end.

My mother dared not deny or challenge him. It had nothing to do with the fact that he was a King. It was simply because he was telling the truth.

I moved quickly and felt my mother chasing after me. I wanted to get to my room. I needed to be with Aliana for the sake of my sanity. I needed peace.

“Niko, Niko, Please,” She said with a shaky teary voice. I halted at the bottom of the stairs, sighed and turned around to look at her. She was crying, but I wasn’t moved by her tears. She had cost me

everything, including my dignity.

“What is it, mother?” I asked her, a bit short.

“I am sorry, Niko. I will try and fix it. I will prove Fredrick wrong,” She said in tears, and I chuckled.

“You can’t prove him wrong after keeping silent and accepting his words. You confirmed everything he said at that committee. You can’t take it back. At least if I never got the crown, it wouldn’t be because I didn’t try. It would be your fault. Not Gabriel or Aliana, like you would want to blame, but you. You and your secrets and lies,” I said, and she stood frozen to the spot.

I had nothing to tell her. She was useless.

I moved up the stairs briskly while I linked Grant.

“Grant,” I linked my Gamma.

“Welcome, Alpha,” He said, and I sighed. I was about to gamble, but it was necessary.

“You and Ingham should shortlist Werewolves for the army. They will need a lot of training. We can’t continue living as sitting ducks in the forest. Also, start a fence project to gate the entrance to our territory from the highway. I want the place heavily guarded and access controlled.” I ordered.

“Yes, Alpha. I will be on it.” He said, and I closed the mind link.

Asking him to work with Ingham was a gamble because I had removed Ingham from the ranks because of his actions.

Still, I could not think of anyone better to train the warriors. As things were, Qusack and

Abraham would have to work closely to help me with the crown issue. I would have to trust that Ingham would see this as an opportunity to redeem himself. i

I wanted to spring into action, but I needed to rest. I was mentally tired from the events in Snow, and I needed to empty my mind and let go of my anger to proceed wisely.

I hoped Aliana would be in the room and not in her father’s place. I did not want to link her, so it would be a surprise.

I got to the door of my room and turned the knob. Stepping in, I saw Ania and Lisa sitting on the couch with Aliana.

Aliana looked up and saw me.

There was fear in her eyes, but it was brief. She wasn’t quick to hide it because it registered. I walked in and felt the atmosphere in the room.

It was glum.

It made me wonder if I had brought gloom with me from Snow. Seeing Aliana’s reaction, I knew something was wrong. I began to fear that she might have lost her father even though Grant would have told me if the man had died.

As much as I disliked the man, I could not bear seeing Aliana hurt. Ania and Lisa looked worried too. Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

“Leave us,” I ordered the women, and they hurried out of the room.

Aliana got up and rushed towards me. She hugged me and rested her head against my chest. Her scent filled my senses, and I wrapped my arms around her and helped her relax by stroking her hair and her back.

“I missed you,” she whispered, and I held on a bit tighter.

“I was only gone for a day, little wolf,” I reminded her, and she held tighter without saying a word.

I knew something was wrong, but I was hoping she would tell me on her own without me prompting her.

We finally broke the hug, and I decided to take a shower. I removed my clothes while standing by the bathroom door and stretched my hands to Aliana to join me. Although she seemed excited, there was no light in her eyes.

Whatever was bothering her was eating her up from the inside. I wished I could figure it out and ease the pain, but I wasn’t a wizard.

My abilities consisted of listening to the mind links of those connected to me, blocking access and healing fast, among other things. Guessing people’s fears wasn’t among them. I doubted if any Lycan had that ability.

“Join me,” I said, and she t*ouched my hand and followed me into the bathroom, fully clothed. That was all the sign I needed to know something was wrong. Backing her against the wall, I gently took off her clothes.

“What is the matter, little wolf? You do not seem that happy to see me.” I said, and I could smell her fear.

“I t*ouched her chin, and she raised her head to look at me. Her eyes were teary, and she was shaking with fear.

“Please do not make me tell you now. I am handling the matter,” she said, tears streaming down her face, and I knew I would not be getting the peace of mind I had hoped for.

“You know I wouldn’t rest until I know, right?” I asked her, and she looked at me. Her lips were quivering. She was trying to speak, but the words seemed caught in her throat.

“Aliana,” I said, gently caressing her cheek, and she closed her eyes. I watched her tears roll down her cheek and caught them with my thumb, gently wiping them away from her face. “Little wolf,” I prompted her to speak, and she leaned her cheek against my palm. I guess my t*ouch gave her comfort. Did that mean she could also feel the bond?

“I do not want to talk about my father,” She finally said, and I was taken aback. I wondered why her father would stir up such strong emotions in her. Even when he suffered in slavery, and I tried to work him to death, she did not act this way. I wondered what must have

gone wrong to cause such strong emotions. She seemed afraid, and I could not understand why. “What happened to Gabriel,” I asked her and she opened her eyes and looked at me.

“His health is stabilising. I was just afraid, thinking what I would have done if something had happened to him.” She said, and I held her to my chest.

“Oh, little wolf,” I said, and she wrapped her arms around me and began to sob.

“I will be alone,” She said, sobbing profusely.

Her words cut deep because it meant she did not believe I would keep my promises. She did not believe I would remain with her. She did not believe I would not take a Lycan queen.

I wondered if my trip to Snow was a part of it.

Maybe she felt I would return home and tell her I was getting married?

How could I? The only reason I am pursuing the crown is so we can be together. Otherwise, I am okay being the Alpha of Forest.

My hope for a future with her is why I stood in the committee meeting and took Fredrick’s insults. It was the only reason it had come to that, and he had gotten away with it. I hated to admit it, but she was my

strength and weakness. How could she think she would be alone should anything happen to her father?