Love Times Four My Stepbrothers Are My Mates (Alayah) novel Chapter 41

**When Broken Stars Drift Across Empty Midnight Skies by Troy Mason Venn**
**Chapter 41: Realization**

**Unknown’s p.o.v.**

A smile spreads across my face as I catch sight of her entering the dining room for breakfast. Today, however, there’s a noticeable shift in her demeanor. Unlike yesterday, when she seemed more at ease, she now huddles close to her parents, flanked by two Warriors who keep a vigilant watch over her. It strikes me as odd; something must have transpired to warrant this extra layer of protection. But then, my curiosity piques when I overhear her mention to Alpha Gordon that she needs to discuss the books with him. Instantly, the presence of the two males fades from my mind, replaced by a burning desire to uncover what she has to say.

My friend once remarked on her sharp intellect, particularly when it comes to numbers. She’s set to handle the Pack’s finances once our Packs merge. Perhaps she’s unearthed some discrepancies, or maybe Alpha Gordon has summoned her to investigate something that’s been troubling him. Either way, I find myself desperate to learn the details of her conversation. I resolve to reach out to home again, hoping that this time someone will pick up the phone.

**Alayah’s p.o.v.**

What the hell is going on? I glance around the unfamiliar room I’ve woken up in, instantly recognizing it as Nathan’s. The remnants of a dream cling to me like fog, but the details elude my grasp. I woke up gasping for breath, my heart racing, yet I can’t recall the dream that haunted me last night, the one I had while nestled in Nero’s bed. Even Topaz, my ever-reliable companion, seems baffled by our strange predicament. We both distinctly remember drifting off to sleep in our own beds, in our own rooms.

As I swing my legs over the side of the bed, I notice I’m clad in a shirt that isn’t mine. My brow furrows in confusion. “Did you wake up in another shirt yesterday?” Topaz asks, her voice laced with curiosity. Without a second thought, I stride out of Nathan’s room, only to be halted by the sound of a throat clearing behind me. I turn to find my parents watching me, their expressions a mix of concern and confusion. “I have no answers for you,” I admit, my frustration bubbling to the surface. “I’m still hunting for them myself, and this is the second time I’ve woken up in a different room.” With that, I pivot and head toward my own space.

As I enter my room, I scan the area for any sign of my missing shirt, but find nothing. With a heavy sigh, I collapse onto my bed, the weight of the morning pressing down on me. My hands instinctively slide under my pillow, and to my surprise, I feel something there. I slowly sit up, lifting the pillow to reveal a neatly folded shirt that doesn’t belong to me. Staring at it, I’m suddenly transported back to yesterday morning when I woke up in Nero’s room, realizing this shirt doesn’t belong to him either.

I need to get to the bottom of this. I’m determined to uncover the truth and trace the missing money. If I can locate it, perhaps I can recover it for Alpha Gordon and the Autumn Pack.

As per our agreement, we leave the door to Alpha Gordon’s office slightly ajar. However, he doesn’t seem pleased with that arrangement. After discussing the bookkeeping and my insights into where things went awry, Mom steps out to fetch us some coffee. She makes a point of being loud, deliberately creating a distraction to deter anyone who might be eavesdropping. When she returns, she offers me a reassuring smile. “I spotted two Omegas in the hallway; either one of them could have been within earshot,” she informs me.

I’m not entirely convinced she truly saw them, but it’s the story we’re sticking to, and it appears to have convinced Alpha Gordon. I relay my suspicions to him, and he nods in agreement, recalling the Omegas on the Alpha floor. “Normally, they wouldn’t wait for us to finish dinner. They’d simply head back downstairs, and we’d link them when we were done.”

“That changed when we received the news that Crystal found her Mate,” he continues, his brow furrowing in thought. “But we still don’t know who she’s mated to or what impact it might have on our Pack.” As I glance at Beta Jacob, I can see the same realization dawning on him that’s settling in my mind.