Forged in the Flames
Chapter 87

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 genuinelyhonest. I could sense a hidden pain in his eyes, and I didn’t dare imagine what his childhood must havebeen like.

“How was it growing up in Snow?” I asked him, motioning for him to join me at the table by pushing myfood 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 seemedwell 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 theguests. The event was beautifully organised for a kingdom without a queen. It’s the best one I’veattended,” 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 Iwould become an alpha. Fortunately, my wolf was an Alpha. I was told continuously that my parentsdidn’t want me from the time I was a child until my teenage years. They said my father rejected mebecause he considered me worthless.

I was told that he ordered my execution along with my twin sister and mother because my motherdefied 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 offto 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 mychildhood and teenage years. By the time I acquired my wolf, I was already a skilled warrior,” heexplained, 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 hewas 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 herbrother. They spared her life because she was pregnant with me and because they realised thatsomeone 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 ownlife 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 upin the wilderness. That’s why I’m called the rogue prince,” I revealed, and he looked at the scar nearmy 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, butbefore 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 kindwords.

“I was shocked by the things Fredrick told you about our father. I have evidence that proves he waswrong,” 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 waswilling 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 thecase 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 thewerewolf 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 hersake.

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

Your mother remained our father’s mistress, and he never took a queen while she was alive. He lovedher 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 caseeverything 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 seizecontrol of the Forest and make it his territory. That’s why he refuses to accept my coronation. TheForest is just a source of wealth to him, and he won’t stop until one of us is gone. I have given him timeto reconsider, and I am willing to wait patiently for him to see reason,” I declared, choosing not to revealmy true intentions. I only shared what I wanted him to relay to my uncle if he chose to tell him of ourconversations.

“That’s a bad idea, Nikolas. He won’t change his mind. That man is stubborn. Let’s join forces andbring 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 sametime. 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 andcontinue doing what I can for my people and live my life,” I asserted, and he nodded, understanding mystance.

“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 havea 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 relaxednow than when we first met. I realised he wasn’t weak; he was simply sensible, and he would be aformidable opponent. There was a certain dominance about him, similar to mine, but I controlledmyself, not revealing that I could sense his presence. “I will ask Alpha Gabriel, our father’s former Betabefore the uprising, to show you around the place. He can tell you more about your mother, herrelationship with our father, her family, and also take you to her grave, as well as your twin sister’s. Allthe memories are preserved. I will also look through the archives for any pictures of her. I hope youenjoy your time here,” I offered, and he beamed at me. His smile was that of an eager little boy, excitedto explore wonders.

“I’m grateful for your hospitality. And I swear on my wolf that I will never betray you. This gift ofknowledge 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 sawMiles, 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 inhis voice, confirming what I had told Miles.

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

“Yes, Your Highness. It will be an honour,” he replied, and Israel and Gabriel took a seat on the couchin 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 retiringlast 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 couldunderstand why Lena fell for him. I only hoped their relationship would survive the challenges aheadbecause 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 mybreath. I also had to prepare myself for horse riding with Piotr and, later, the conversation with Gabrielabout Gwen.

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