Forged in the Flames

Chapter 87

Forged In The Flames By Karima Sa’ad Usman

Chapter 87 Family and Bonds (Nikolas POV)

I glanced at Miles for a moment, trying to detect any signs of deception, but he seemed genuinely honest. I could sense a hidden pain in his eyes, and I didn’t dare imagine what his childhood must have been like.

“How was it growing up in Snow?” I asked him, motioning for him to join me at the table by pushing my food tray to the center so we could share the meal.

“Thank you,” he replied, reaching for an extra fork.

“I was surprised to see the half-breeds and werewolves here without brands or collars. They seemed well taken care of and confident. They don’t have the slave mentality that is common in other places, nor do they face segregation. It was clear from the way they interacted and served everyone, even the guests. The event was beautifully organised for a kingdom without a queen. It’s the best one I’ve attended,” he remarked. I thanked him and remained silent, waiting for his response to my question.

“It wasn’t easy, Nikolas. I lived like a slave in a cell until I got my wolf. Fredrick wanted to know if I would become an alpha. Fortunately, my wolf was an Alpha. I was told continuously that my parents didn’t want me from the time I was a child until my teenage years. They said my father rejected me because he considered me worthless.

I was told that he ordered my execution along with my twin sister and mother because my mother defied him by becoming pregnant and giving birth to us.

When they found her, she had already given birth to twins.

His brother Leon arrived just as the soldiers were killing my mother and twin sister. He fought them off to rescue me and entrusted me to his friend for care.

Fredrick didn’t want half-breeds in his kingdom, but since Leon was his friend, he had no choice.

I was told to be grateful for what I had and always prove myself useful. I fought my way through my childhood and teenage years. By the time I acquired my wolf, I was already a skilled warrior,” he explained, sighing.

“Deep down, I still felt like a lost boy, wondering why my mother went against her master and had me, bringing me into a world that despised my kind. The unity law that King

Mathias signed was the epitome of his evil. I don’t expect you to fully understand my struggle since he was your father too, but…” he began, and I interrupted.

“I never knew him. The werewolves revolted and forced my mother to return to Snow to be with her brother. They spared her life because she was pregnant with me and because they realised that someone other than our father was pulling the strings.

The Alpha werewolf who spared her was our father’s closest friend and beta. Our father took his own life when he realised he had been deceived and everything was a lie.

My mother was spared and sent to Snow, but Fredrick rejected her for not taking over Forest. I grew up in the wilderness. That’s why I’m called the rogue prince,” I revealed, and he looked at the scar near my eye.

“Did you get that scar there?” he asked, and I nodded, tracing my eye.

“A feral wolf did this to me when I was just ten years old,” I explained, and he gasped.

“You were brave. Where was your mother? Why didn’t she shift and fight the wolf?” he inquired, but before I could answer, he realised the truth from my silence.

“That’s terrible. I admire your loyalty, love, and bravery,” he expressed, and I thanked him for his kind words.

“I was shocked by the things Fredrick told you about our father. I have evidence that proves he was wrong,” I said, and Miles paid close attention. I could see a glimmer of hope in his eyes.

He desperately wanted the things he had heard to be false, yearning for a different truth and I was willing to give it.

“Father loved your mother deeply. She was his destined mate,” I informed him, and he was in disbelief.

“Is that possible?” he asked, and I nodded with certainty, knowing it to be true because that was the case for Aliana and me.

“Father had no issues with werewolves or half- breeds. In fact, he had a half-breed ancestor himself. And above all, he never signed the unity law.

His signature was forged after his brother’s death.

Leon, his brother, conspired against him and sought to seize power with the help of Fredrick. But the werewolf officers discovered the plot and put an end to it.

As for your mother, she was beloved, and Mathias would have given up everything for her sake.

Leon advised her to remain a mistress claiming our father was willing to face the consequences for her sake.

It seemed like he was looking out for his younger brother, but I later found out it was because he had plans to plant my mother as queen instead, so he could manipulate things. Unfortunately for him, things did not work as he had anticipated.

Your mother remained our father’s mistress, and he never took a queen while she was alive. He loved her deeply.

There are werewolves in the settlement who could testify to their love.

It was said that she died while giving birth. It devastated Mathias.

Leon convinced him not to tarnish his memory of her by burying her himself. Now I understand why.

I must say, you were fortunate to be spared. You were meant to be a last resort, a trump card, in case everything went wrong.

Leon arranged for our father to marry my mother, Fredrick’s sister. Despite never knowing your mother, my mother resented her because she lived in her shadow. If Father had known about your existence, he would have moved heaven and earth for your sake,” I shared, leaving him stunned.

“The evil perpetrated by Fredrick, Leon, and Isaac Lucas is unforgivable. Fredrick wants to seize control of the Forest and make it his territory. That’s why he refuses to accept my coronation. The Forest is just a source of wealth to him, and he won’t stop until one of us is gone. I have given him time to reconsider, and I am willing to wait patiently for him to see reason,” I declared, choosing not to reveal my true intentions. I only shared what I wanted him to relay to my uncle if he chose to tell him of our conversations.

“That’s a bad idea, Nikolas. He won’t change his mind. That man is stubborn. Let’s join forces and bring him down,” he proposed, and I sighed. “I don’t want to do anything that would cost lives. You’re

the only sibling I have, Miles. We’ve just met, and I don’t want to say hello and goodbye at the same time. I hope it doesn’t come to that. But one thing is certain, if

Fredrick brings war to my doorstep, I will fight him. However, if he doesn’t, I will wait patiently and continue doing what I can for my people and live my life,” I asserted, and he nodded, understanding my stance.

“I would like to have a brotherly relationship with you. You’re the only family I’ve got,” he expressed, and I smiled at him.

“I would like that as well. We were both lost princes who grew up in harsh and deprived conditions, feeling cheated and abandoned.

There’s no reason for us to hate or envy each other. I’m sure our father would have wanted us to have a healthy and trusting relationship. I’m open to it, with no deceit,” I said, and he smiled back at me, almost disbelieving that I would agree to such a relationship.

“I am honoured and grateful,” he replied, finishing the last piece of bacon. He seemed more relaxed now than when we first met. I realised he wasn’t weak; he was simply sensible, and he would be a formidable opponent. There was a certain dominance about him, similar to mine, but I controlled myself, not revealing that I could sense his presence. “I will ask Alpha Gabriel, our father’s former Beta before the uprising, to show you around the place. He can tell you more about your mother, her relationship with our father, her family, and also take you to her grave, as well as your twin sister’s. All the memories are preserved. I will also look through the archives for any pictures of her. I hope you enjoy your time here,” I offered, and he beamed at me. His smile was that of an eager little boy, excited to explore wonders.

“I’m grateful for your hospitality. And I swear on my wolf that I will never betray you. This gift of knowledge that you’re about to give me is greatly welcomed and appreciated,” he pledged, and I

contacted Gabriel and Israel to come to my office.

Fifteen minutes later, they arrived, indicating that they weren’t in the building. The moment Gabriel saw Miles, he instantly knew. Miles bore a striking resemblance to our father, albeit with softer features.

“That’s Olive’s son,” I informed Gabriel, and tears welled up in his eyes as he bowed to the lost prince. Israel looked at Miles with awe. Both men couldn’t contain their joy.

“Leon is a wretch for what he did. Mathias mourned his entire life,” Gabriel declared, anger evident in his voice, confirming what I had told Miles.

“I want you to teach Miles about our father, his mother, their relationship, their love, her people, and also inform him about the treachery of Leon, Fredrick, and Isaac Lucas,” I instructed, and Gabriel nodded.

“Yes, Your Highness. It will be an honour,” he replied, and Israel and Gabriel took a seat on the couch in my office.

Miles seemed eager, but we needed to finish the food Aliana had sent me first.

We engaged in light conversation, and Miles shared stories about Fredrick’s frustration upon retiring last night.

He could even imitate Fredrick voice and mannerisms, which made us all laugh.

Beneath Mile’s complex facade and fearsome reputation, Miles was an amazingly playful guy. I could understand why Lena fell for him. I only hoped their relationship would survive the challenges ahead because I wouldn’t back down until I achieved justice for my father and get the throne.

After Lisa came to collect the empty plates,

Miles and Gabriel left to embark on their history tour.

I decided to return to my room to rest. There was much to do, but I needed a moment to catch my breath. I also had to prepare myself for horse riding with Piotr and, later, the conversation with Gabriel about Gwen.

I knew it would be difficult for him, but the truth remained that he wouldn’t be able to reunite with her until Fredrick was defeated.