Love Times Four My Stepbrothers Are My Mates (Alayah) novel Chapter 57

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

**Chapter 57: Stiffen**

**Nathan’s p.o.v.**

My heart sinks as I witness our Angel step into the living room, her presence illuminating the dim space like a beacon in the dark. In that very moment, Nero takes the opportunity to settle beside her on the couch, and a wave of irritation washes over me. Damn it, I really can’t stand my brother right now. I can’t tear my gaze away from her; she’s like a magnet pulling at my thoughts. Noah is trying to clarify his earlier comment, and I notice how her expression begins to soften with each word he speaks. Yet, the instant he mentions his willingness to step back, I see sheer panic flash across her features.

It’s painfully evident to everyone in the room that Noah is struggling with the idea of stepping aside, but for her, he’s prepared to make that sacrifice.

Inside my mind, Yuma is howling with frustration the moment she tells Noah that he is part of this connection. I know she won’t let him walk away, not after all the chaos he’s caused.

“Alayah,” I call out, hoping to capture her attention. She turns to me, a smile lighting up her face, but it falters as she registers the seriousness etched into my expression. “You’re aware that Noah and Grandma didn’t tell you the whole truth about what transpired after you left. We didn’t intend to deceive you. Grandfather insisted that if it could remain a secret, it should. But Noah realized that revealing it to you wouldn’t impact his request.”

I take a deep breath, my heart heavy with the weight of the truth. “You understand better than anyone that it’s for the best if this stays private, which means it will remain a secret. Before we share what Grandfather revealed to us, I want you to know that we’ve finally grasped what transpired in the gardens, and I believe you’re aware that none of us were lying to one another.” I watch as she nods, absorbing my words.

“Yeah, it was while I was on my way here that I pieced together what must have happened, and none of you knew about something Grandfather confided in me. I’m guessing he informed all of you about my bloodline, and Anton is probably blaming himself for not believing me; he can be such a worrywart at times. However, I have a feeling he shared much more about my lineage with you than he ever did with me.” A small smile dances on Alayah’s lips, a glimmer of understanding shining in her eyes.

Nero, sensing the depth of the moment, gently takes her hand. He knows what’s coming next. “You’re right; he did tell us a bit more about your bloodline,” I admit, my voice steady yet cautious. “But to be honest, I think Grandma explained it with more clarity. She nearly lost her mind when she realized who you truly are—or perhaps it’s more accurate to say what you are. I believe Grandfather mentioned the females born into your bloodline, but he never disclosed which Pack your family hails from.”

A thoughtful silence envelops us as we allow Alayah the space to digest the gravity of today’s revelations. None of us anticipated that she would connect the dots on her own. “Blood Stone Pack,” she whispers, slowly lifting her gaze to Noah, who can only nod in affirmation. This is precisely why he hesitated to involve them.

“I am the rightful Alpha,” she murmurs, shaking her head in disbelief, struggling to accept the magnitude of her identity—not merely a Beta, but an Alpha.

By now, Alayah is nearly whispering, and I can see Nero has pulled her onto his lap, offering her comfort as she recounts the tragic tales of her ancestors. “Every time they visited his family, or when his family came to Blood Stone Pack, he would attempt to seduce her. It took her Mate considerable time to gather enough evidence to confront his father, demanding that action be taken against his brother. But that ended in a bloodbath—he killed my ancestor, and his younger brother, and in turn, his father murdered his own son.”

Silence envelops the room, heavy with the weight of Alayah’s revelations. We all sit in contemplation, grappling with the grim fates that befell her ancestors. No wonder Grandfather wanted this kept secret; I know none of us would ever allow anything to happen to her like what her ancestors endured.

“The most troubling aspect for me is knowing that the Blood Stone Pack will stop at nothing to keep me away from my Mates,” she continues, her voice trembling with emotion. “In one of my great-grandfather’s journals, he wrote about a vow every Alpha must take upon assuming leadership.”

She takes a deep breath, her eyes scanning each of us as she shares the chilling details. “If a female is born into the Alpha bloodline, they will do everything in their power to prevent her from being with her Mate unless he is a Pack member. They will never allow her to be alone with an unmated male from another Pack, and if necessary, they will choose a Mate for her.”

As her words hang in the air, we all growl in unison, a primal response to the injustice she faces. No one will keep us from our Mate, and I know my brothers and I will do everything within our power to protect her from any harm that may come her way.