Love Times Four My Stepbrothers Are My Mates (Alayah) novel Chapter 80

**When Broken Stars Drift Across Empty Midnight Skies by Troy Mason Venn**
**Chapter 80: Fast Asleep**

**Noah’s p.o.v.**

“Grandpa, can you tell us more about the attack that took place over a hundred years ago?” Alayah’s voice, filled with curiosity, broke the heavy silence in the room. I could sense that we were all eager to uncover the secrets surrounding the Blood Stone Pack’s dark past. Yet, deep down, I knew that if we had been aware of the gravity of what he was about to share, many of us might have preferred to escape the confines of this room altogether. Grandpa took a moment, his brow furrowing slightly as he gathered his thoughts, the weight of history resting heavily on his shoulders. Finally, he met Alayah’s earnest gaze. “Your Great-Great-Grandmother possessed extraordinary abilities, much like you do. Many Alphas coveted her Mate, driven by jealousy.”

As he spoke, I could see the memories flickering in his eyes, shadows of a time long gone. “Your Great-Great-Grandmother was acutely aware that one day she would inherit her father’s position as the leader of the pack. However, she was never comfortable with the idea of stepping into such a role. After much contemplation, she struck a deal with her father. Like every She-wolf, she yearned for a true Mate-bond and turned down every Alpha, Beta, and Gamma who sought to claim her as their own.”

The tension in the room thickened as Grandpa continued, “From the ages of sixteen to eighteen, she declined every single proposal, knowing that the suitors were more interested in her powers than in her as a person. It wasn’t until she was nearly twenty-one that she finally met your Great-Great-Grandfather. The moment their eyes locked, her Lycan instinctively recognized the profound connection between them. She took her time, allowing the Mate-bond to blossom naturally, savoring each moment spent together.”

As I listened, I could almost feel the warmth of their bond, the way love flourished amidst the chaos of their world. “During the time they shared, the Alphas she had previously rejected kept pestering her, knocking on her door relentlessly. Even when she assured them she had found her Mate, they refused to accept her decision. It was only after she and your Great-Great-Grandfather had marked each other and held their Alpha and Luna Ceremony that those persistent suitors finally understood she meant every word she had spoken.”

Grandpa’s voice grew somber as he recalled the years that followed. “For many years, they governed the Blood Stone Pack in harmony, raising two fine young men as their heirs. Yet, beneath that facade of peace, your Great-Great-Grandmother harbored a lingering fear that one day, someone would muster the courage to challenge the mightiest Lycan Pack in existence. Tragically, her fears came to fruition when she was murdered by what we initially believed to be Rogues. But we were gravely mistaken; it was another Lycan Pack that orchestrated her death, aiming to weaken her Mate.”

He paused, his gaze drifting out the window, lost in the memories of loss and betrayal. “Our Pack rallied around him, desperate to keep him safe, fearing that he would be the next target. Yet, as time passed and no further attacks came, we gradually slipped back into a semblance of normalcy. That was the gravest error we ever made. Ten years after your Great-Great-Grandmother’s death, that same Lycan Pack struck again, and this time, they succeeded in killing our Alpha and the heir to the Blood Stone Pack.”

I entered the room last, only to collide with Nathan, who stood blocking the doorway. Peering around him, I noticed that the others had formed a barrier, preventing him from entering. As I looked over Alayah’s head into the room, I was struck by the sight of a massive bed dominating the space. It was the largest bedroom I had ever encountered, with a cozy sitting area to my left, furnished with a plush couch and several inviting armchairs. To my right, a desk nestled in the corner boasted a large, curved screen.

Along the wall, just a few feet from the desk, were two doors. I speculated that one led to a bathroom while the other likely opened into a walk-in closet. Like the bed, I assumed both were spacious enough to accommodate all five of us comfortably. Nikolay effortlessly lifted Alayah into his arms, allowing the rest of us to step into the room. I quickly verified my assumptions about the doors, while Nathan wandered over to the floor-to-ceiling windows. “Damn, this looks incredible,” he muttered, pulling back one of the curtains to let in the light.

“A little further to your left, there are patio doors that lead to a balcony, along with a spiral staircase that will take you to your private garden,” Grandpa added, his voice warm with nostalgia. He turned to Alayah, urging her to rest and promising that she could find him in the living room whenever she felt ready to learn more about the history of the Blood Stone Pack.

Gently, Nikolay placed her on the bed, carefully removing her shoes before crawling in beside her. It wasn’t long before the two of them succumbed to sleep, their breathing softening into a peaceful rhythm. I watched them for a moment, feeling a mix of protectiveness and warmth, grateful for the bond we shared as a pack, even amidst the shadows of our past.