Love Times Four My Stepbrothers Are My Mates (Alayah) novel Chapter 34

**When Broken Stars Drift Across Empty Midnight Skies by Troy Mason Venn**

Nikolay’s p.o.v.

“No, Grandma. We’re curious about what the law states regarding a Mate-bond between Stepsiblings,” Noah interjects, settling himself beside her. I can almost see the gears turning in her mind; if there’s any insight to be had, it’s likely buried deep within the recesses of her vast knowledge. “Absolutely nothing, because Stepsiblings don’t share blood. Consequently, it’s just as valid a Mate-bond as any other,” she replies, her voice steady yet inquisitive. “But why do you ask, Noah?” Her gaze sharpens, and I can’t help but marvel at how she can distinguish between us so effortlessly.

“First of all, how on earth can you tell us apart? No one in our Pack has ever managed to do that, and within just two days, we’ve encountered five people who can differentiate us,” I remark, my incredulity spilling over. Grandma bursts into laughter, her joy infectious yet maddening. “This isn’t funny, Grandma,” Nathan whines, his frustration only fueling her amusement. It takes a good while for her to regain her composure, her chuckles echoing in the room.

“Nathan, you make me feel like I’ve found a partner in crime. Nero, you inspire me to want to wrap you up in a blanket and cuddle with you all day long,” Grandma beams, her smile radiating warmth. Nero looks at her, his expression a mix of confusion and disbelief, as if she’s just suggested something utterly absurd. “And Nikolay, you make me want to share all my secrets with you because I trust you to keep them safe. Noah, on the other hand, you make me feel like I’ve done something wrong and that you’re about to deliver a punishment,” she finishes, her eyes twinkling with mischief.

Noah’s face flushes a few shades deeper, and I suspect that was Grandma’s intention all along; she knows precisely how to phrase things that sound innocuous yet carry an underlying punch. “Now that I’ve addressed your query, it’s your turn to respond to mine,” Grandma states, her tone shifting to one of authority. Without a moment’s hesitation, we each recount our version of events, including our theories on why Alayah seems so furious with us.

Nathan expresses his worry that Mara will never allow Alayah to embrace the Mate-bond, but Grandma is quick to reassure him. “Mara would never interfere with a Mate-bond,” she asserts confidently. “You see, Mara had a friend from her childhood, and I’m not talking about Maxwell. This girl came into our Pack when she was just two months old, having moved here with her mother, who had found a second Mate. He had a son too—a one-year-old boy at the time.

“Well, that at least answers one question,” I assert, and a chorus of voices chime in, eager to know which question I’m addressing. “Why has Nero never encountered her in all these years? Nero has spent considerable time at the Pack-house since he first met Marc, yet he never crossed paths with Alayah before. Her absence from the Pack-house clarifies that mystery,” I explain, glancing at Nero, wondering if he had pondered this question in the past few days. It appears my younger brother may not have been quite so observant.

A playful smack on the back of my head from Nero tells me I may have voiced my thoughts too loudly. Grandma’s laughter fills the room, though I can’t tell if it’s directed at me or Nero’s obliviousness. “I’m not stupid! I’ve had a lot on my mind. Do you really think it would have clicked for me after being given a new position, hearing about a Stepsister, and then discovering that my Lycan feels a connection to a female who, by the way, turns out to be my Stepsister? She’s declined the position she was born into, only to have it offered to her again by her future Luna. A Stepsister who is smarter than you and your three brothers combined, who actually enjoys paperwork and has a degree in psychology,” Nero rambles, and as I listen to him recount the whirlwind of his past few days, I can’t help but agree—it would have slipped my mind too.

After I apologize for my earlier comment, Grandma instructs us to return to our tasks and reminds us not to miss Sunday dinner. None of us would dare skip that, especially since, according to Anton, it’s the one event Alayah would never dream of missing. Yet, when we heard Crystal read her message aloud, it became clear that she intended to skip Sunday dinner altogether.