Love Times Four My Stepbrothers Are My Mates (Alayah) novel Chapter 2

**Chapter 2: A New Future**

**Alayah’s p.o.v.**

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow over our territory, I reflected on the changes that lay ahead. With Marc having discovered his Mate, it was only a matter of time before Alpha Randell would pass the torch of leadership. My cousin Anton, who had long been waiting in the wings, would take over from Uncle Paul when that pivotal day arrived. I could sense his eagerness, but I also knew he harbored a wish of his own—to have his Mate by his side when he stepped into that role.

There was a time when Anton worried that I harbored aspirations of becoming the Pack’s next Beta, a position that my father was destined to inherit from my grandfather. But ever since I reassured him that I had no intention of pursuing it, we had become inseparable. Anton thrived on everything that came with being Beta; he would often regale me with tales of Uncle Paul’s lessons, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm as he spoke.

“Can you explain to me why it’s necessary to go over the Pack’s finances?” I inquired, curiosity piquing my interest as I turned to my Grandfather.

With a nod of approval from Alpha Randell, Grandfather began to unravel the complexities of the financial responsibilities he shared with Uncle Paul. Each time he mentioned a budget or any numerical detail, his expression morphed into one of sheer horror, causing me to stifle giggles. It was amusing how something so serious could elicit such a reaction.

“The Alphas are keen on ensuring that our finances can support a Pack of our size,” he explained, his voice steady but tinged with concern. “That means we need to scrutinize everything—from investments to the kitchen budget.”

“I had no idea we had funds allocated across so many areas,” I mused aloud. “There’s a budget for the kitchen, the training grounds, daycare, school, and so much more. If Anton has to step into Paul’s shoes, he’s going to be in quite a predicament. Like me, he’s never had a knack for numbers. I can only hope he can handle the avalanche of paperwork that comes with leading such a large Pack,” Grandfather continued, shaking his head slightly as if the weight of it all pressed down on him.

“What about the Gamma position?” I asked, my curiosity leading me to consider the implications of our Pack dynamics. Our Gamma had experienced profound loss when he lost both his Mate and Pup when I was just a toddler, and he had never sought another Mate since then.

“The Gamma from the Autumn Pack has four sons, and his youngest has accepted the position. He and Marc have been friends for years, which makes it all the more fitting. Dividing the roles between both Packs will streamline things as we merge, and our future Luna has already decided on a new name for our united Pack: Autumn Moon Pack,” Grandfather said, a smile creeping onto his face as he mentioned the name. My heart swelled with joy at the sound of it.

“Alayah, it is indeed possible, but it’s more intricate than you might think. This can occur when a Wolf or Lycan and their human side are aligned in their desires. However, you would need a potion to suppress the animal instincts. Detecting a false Mate bond isn’t always straightforward; by the time it’s recognized, the damage is often irreparable. Typically, it results in one or both parties suffering dire consequences, including the loss of their Wolf. If it involves a Lycan, the outcome can be more favorable, as they have a better chance of recovery,” Grandma explained, her voice steady yet filled with the weight of experience.

We delved deeper into this topic, with Anton asking Grandma if there were ways to identify a false Mate bond. She explained that while it is possible, it’s a challenging endeavor. Our Wolf or Lycan tends to resist stepping back to scrutinize the bond closely. However, if one can manage to encourage their Wolf or Lycan to do so, they might discover whether the connection is genuine. It would feel as though some links in the bond are weaker than others, often indicating that one party isn’t fully invested.

I noticed a flicker of concern in Grandfather’s eyes, and I understood the direction of his thoughts. My father’s family had long held the belief that Mom was superficial, that she had mated with my Dad merely for his high rank.

“Grandfather, it’s important to know that Mom had no idea Dad had declined his position until after they were marked and mated. Their Mate bond was authentic; she didn’t attempt to forge a bond for personal gain,” I communicated through our mind-link, sensing the relief wash over him as he acknowledged my words. It brought him comfort to know that his son had found the perfect female for him and his Lycan.

As we gathered around the dinner table, I mulled over Grandfather’s remarks about the financial responsibilities of running a Pack. An idea began to take shape in my mind, one that could potentially ease the burden of paperwork that lay ahead for Anton and Marc. I resolved to discuss it with Alpha Randell first before broaching the subject with Anton and Marc. This could be my opportunity to contribute meaningfully, utilizing my education and intellect to simplify the complexities of managing a vast Pack.