Love Times Four My Stepbrothers Are My Mates (Alayah) novel Chapter 128

**When Broken Stars Drift Across Empty Midnight Skies by Troy Mason Venn**
**Chapter 128 Holds Out**

**Nikolay’s p.o.v.**

As our Elite Warriors diligently handle the grim task of executing the death penalties, we slide into our SUV, ready to escape the weight of our territory. The air inside the vehicle feels heavy with anticipation, but I know a brief reprieve awaits us. Just ten minutes away, Grandma is waiting with the twins, and I look forward to spending some quality time there until the rest of our family is prepared to return home.

My brothers and I sit in the vehicle, our eyes glued to our Mate and our little Pups, who are giggling and playing together. Their laughter fills the air, a sweet sound that I cherish deeply. I can’t help but hope that soon, we will find a way to weave some semblance of normalcy back into our lives. Alayah, my beloved, finds this part of her life particularly burdensome, but we all understand that such duties must be fulfilled. It’s a heavy burden, but one we bear together.

I feel a swell of gratitude as I reflect on our family—how they are always ready to put in the hard work needed to create moments of joy for us and our Pups. Our Pack is equally committed, always prepared to spring into action at a moment’s notice to bring justice to those who have been wronged. It is a comforting thought amidst the chaos.

Anton has been preoccupied, tirelessly seeking the best approach to handle the numerous requests for breaking Mate-bonds. There are countless Shifters who desperately need Alayah’s assistance, and he is resolute in making this process swift and efficient. Yet, despite his determination, he has kept his thoughts to himself, leaving us in the dark. The magnitude of the task ahead is daunting; some have been waiting for decades, while others have only been in limbo for a few short months. I know that for some, it may already be too late.

“Where did your thoughts wander off to, Bro?” Nathan’s voice pulls me back to the present. I glance up and see that everyone has gathered in the clearing, ready for the next leg of our journey.

“Let’s save that conversation for when we get home. Right now, I want to see how our Pups react to this little adventure,” I reply, a smile creeping onto my face as I scoop up Cassandra and place her on my shoulder. In mere moments, we are all settled in our SUV, the engine purring to life as we head toward home.

Maxwell and Cassandra’s chatter keeps my mind off the weight of our responsibilities for a while. They babble endlessly about the sights outside, their imaginations running wild. I can’t help but chuckle each time they engage in one of their spirited debates.

Their arguments often sound like a foreign language to me, a jumble of words only they seem to understand. Occasionally, I catch snippets of familiar phrases, but their discussions are a delightful enigma. It’s amusing to watch them lean in close, their voices rising in playful contention, only to suddenly retreat behind Grandma, giggling as they hide. This game of back-and-forth lasts just a moment before they are at it again, their little voices filling the car with laughter.

If I were to guess what they were arguing about, I would say it revolves around the wonders of nature surrounding us. Cassandra is fascinated by the world outside—how the trees sway and the birds flutter. Maxwell, on the other hand, lacks the patience to appreciate it all, and therein lies the source of their playful conflict.

By the time we roll into Blood Stone territory, both of them have succumbed to sleep, their tiny bodies peacefully nestled against each other. The quiet that envelops the car is soothing, and I relish the calm. Mom and Dad step out to retrieve their Grandpups, and I know they will remain blissfully unaware of the world until morning.

“Alayah, I need to discuss something important with all of you. Can we do this after dinner, or would you prefer first thing in the morning?” Anton’s voice breaks the silence, carrying a note of urgency.

“First thing in the morning sounds best. I want a peaceful dinner and a quiet evening with my Mate,” Noah replies firmly. He gestures for an Omega to bring our dinner upstairs, then lifts Alayah into his arms, carrying her with the tenderness of a lover who knows her worth.

“Brock and Bryson have uncovered something troubling in the Archive. They found records of rejections that originated from family members or friends, rather than the rejector or rejected themselves. They suspect that in these instances, the Alpha was aware of the rejection and intervened to prevent justice from being served,” Anton reveals, his voice tinged with concern.

He gestures toward a table in the corner, where files lie scattered, and soon we are all engrossed in reading through them. A growl escapes my lips as I come across Alpha Randell’s name in one of the files. Three separate reports from different Pack members echo the same sentiment, and I can’t help but feel a surge of anger—he is fortunate to be dead.

“Alright, let’s dispatch Elders alongside Elite Warriors to reach out to those involved in the oldest cases. We’ll conduct these sessions twice a month, from Monday through Wednesday, beginning with the files from our Archive. Any request that lacks a corresponding file will be investigated first, as I want to understand why there is no record to match,” Alayah declares, her voice firm and resolute.

Moments later, the door swings open, and Brock and Bryson enter, ready to help us establish the framework for these trials.

“They will be tasked with linking requests to our existing files and probing those requests that lack documentation,” Anton explains, and the atmosphere in the room shifts with a renewed sense of purpose.

“Alayah, perhaps it would be wise to send you and Nathan with an Elder. Both of you possess the ability to discern when someone is lying, and that skill could prove invaluable in these cases,” Harper suggests. After a brief pause, Alayah nods in agreement, her determination evident.

“Let’s tackle the most pressing cases first and schedule the hearings for two weeks from now,” she states as she reaches for the file that Brock is extending toward her, ready to take on the challenge ahead.