Love Times Four My Stepbrothers Are My Mates (Alayah) novel Chapter 51

**When Broken Stars Drift Across Empty Midnight Skies**
**by Troy Mason Venn**
**Chapter 51: Disconnect**

**Unknown’s POV**

The entire weekend had slipped through my fingers like sand, each hour marked by my futile attempts to reach my family. The absence of their voices echoed in my mind, leaving me with no option but to head home. I needed to confront my Father directly, face to face. If he chose to unleash his fury upon me, I would remind him that he had brought this upon himself. How hard can it be to pick up a phone or return a missed call from one of your own Pups? The thought made my blood boil.

I had tried reaching out to my Mother and siblings, but their phones remained silent, as if they were deliberately avoiding me. With every unanswered call, my frustration grew. At least I had gathered some information about the female, and I hoped it would be enough to temper my Father’s temper. Patience was not a virtue he was known for. The tales of my Great-uncle lingered in my mind, stories that had been passed down through generations, shrouded in mystery. No one knew what had become of him—or rather, no one spoke of it anymore.

As I drove, the sun climbed to its zenith, and I decided to take a break for lunch, even though I was still far from home. It struck me then why no one had discovered our secret before; the distance between our Packs was vast. It wasn’t as simple as running into one another. Only with an invitation could one traverse another Pack’s territory. I recalled our past visits to the Crimson Moon Pack, but my memories were hazy, reduced to images of their Pack-house.

An hour into the second leg of my journey, my phone buzzed insistently, the screen flashing my Father’s name. As I answered, his voice erupted through the speaker, filled with rage. “Why the hell did you call so many times? You knew we had visitors this weekend!” I could almost picture him pacing, his frustration palpable. I rolled my eyes, irritation flaring within me. Those visitors were from a neighboring Pack, pushing my Father to consider their daughters as potential mates for me and my brothers—a prospect that would never come to fruition.

“Dad, just stop for a second. I need to find a place to pull over; I can’t drive and talk about this at the same time,” I snapped, spotting a perfect spot just ahead. I could hear my Father growl in response, his annoyance palpable, but I also detected the murmurs of others joining in on the call. I parked in a secluded area, a small clearing with a forest behind it—an ideal sanctuary for travelers seeking respite for their Wolves or Lycans. I mentally asked my Lycan if he wanted to stretch his legs after the call.

“I found our Alpha,” I declared as soon as I came to a halt.

“What do you mean? Did Alpha Gordon go missing?” Dad’s voice was filled with confusion, and I wished he would just listen for once.

“No, Dad. I said I found OUR Alpha,” I growled into the phone, and for a moment, silence enveloped the line. Then, chaos erupted as everyone began talking over each other. I pulled the phone away from my ear, wincing at the cacophony of voices.

It took a few moments for Dad to regain control, but finally, he asked, “What do you mean? How can you be sure he is our Alpha?” I couldn’t blame him for his skepticism; over the years, many Lycans had tried to deceive us, claiming to be descendants of our rightful Alpha.

“I’m certain, Dad. It’s not a he; it’s a she, and she resembles every other female in our bloodline,” I explained, and once again, silence fell.

When I finally opened up to Uncle Rex again, he promised he would never lie to me again, and to this day, he has kept that promise. If he had news that he feared would upset me, he would gently suggest that it was best to deal with my other emotions first. I learned that this approach was the best for me; it made it easier to process his answers once I had navigated through my emotional turmoil.

As I walked into the Pack-house, I felt the weight of curious gazes upon me, but I chose to ignore the stares. I climbed the stairs to the Gamma floor, seeking solace in my room. I dropped my bags in the corner before collapsing onto my bed, staring blankly at the ceiling. I began to sift through my memories once more, finding it easier to do so with my emotions muted. Each recollection unfolded before me, vivid and detailed, as I dissected them from beginning to end.

Hours later, Mom appeared to coax me into lunch. I followed her down the stairs to the main dining room, my mind still clouded. Dad had ensured my laptop was locked away in his office, a precaution to protect the sensitive information I held. I allowed him to take it from me without protest, knowing it was for my safety. As I made my way down, I answered the few questions directed at me, but it was clear to everyone that I was not fully present. Most chose to leave me be.

Lunch passed in a blur, my mind drifting through the events that had transpired. Even Topaz, my ever-watchful companion, granted me the space I needed. She understood me better than anyone else. After she arrived, she would revisit my memories, gently asking questions to help her get to know me.

As I ascended the stairs again, I sensed Mom and Dad trailing behind me. I noticed Mom was on the phone, her voice rising in frustration. Her heated words pulled me slightly from my daze, and when I caught snippets of her conversation with Grandma, I realized she was sharing the weight of my struggles. Grandma would understand; Mom had truly messed up.

I remained silent as Mom lay beside me, but I found comfort in her presence as she wrapped her arms around me. Slowly, I felt myself drift into sleep, my thoughts lingering on my stepbrothers and the complex emotions that awaited me upon waking.