Love Times Four My Stepbrothers Are My Mates (Alayah) novel Chapter 88

**Chapter 88: Wrath**

As Alayah grappled with the whirlwind of revelations from her newly discovered family, a brewing storm quietly loomed over the Crimson Moon Pack. Two Lycans, ensnared in their own turmoil, teetered on the brink of igniting a rift between the Packs, a fracture that could widen before the two had even begun to unite.

Marc ascended the stairs to his office, his mind racing with thoughts as Anton sped off to track Alayah to the Blood Stone Pack. He needed solitude—time to untangle the web of knowledge that had just been thrust upon him. A serious conversation with his Lycan companion was imperative. Somewhere along their journey, they had miscalculated; they had stumbled upon secrets that were far more profound and perilous than either had anticipated. The most significant of these secrets had the potential to obliterate their carefully laid plans for the future.

It seemed like a lifetime ago, nearly eight years, when Marc had unearthed a set of documents tucked away in the dusty corners of the library. He had always suspected that his father was oblivious to their existence, and it took him an arduous journey of investigation to piece together the intricate details hidden within those pages. The moment clarity washed over him, he was filled with exhilaration; he yearned to share his findings with his father. Yet, his Lycan, Tybalt, had intervened, questioning whether Marc still harbored dreams of leading the most formidable Pack in existence. Tybalt insisted they needed a strategy to turn those dreams into reality.

Tybalt, a fierce and ambitious creature, shared Marc’s aspirations of ruling over the largest Lycan Pack. When Tybalt realized the path to his desires lay in winning over his Human counterpart, he saw an opportunity. Marc, still young and impressionable, was easily swayed. What Tybalt hadn’t anticipated, however, was that Marc was equally driven by ambition. It didn’t take much persuasion for him to seek a way to reclaim what had once belonged to his family.

In his quest for power, Marc discovered that Crystal was the heir to the Autumn Pack and, remarkably, still unattached. All he needed to do was weave a narrative that would convince her of a profound connection between them. At the age of fourteen, Marc was already tall and had a maturity that allowed him to navigate the complexities of female perceptions. He understood that some might mistake his age for greater experience, and he exploited this to extract the information he craved.

During a meeting with several Alphas, accompanied by his father, Marc found his golden opportunity—a female who was pilfering funds from her Alpha. He clandestinely recorded their conversation and used it as leverage, coercing her into assisting him in keeping Crystal away from potential suitors and Elder meetings. Time was of the essence; he needed to concoct a scheme that would convince Crystal of their destined bond. The success of his plan hinged on the coerced female’s ability to persuade Crystal of their supposed connection.

To grasp the importance of this female’s involvement, one must understand Crystal’s upbringing. Raised by her maternal aunt, Sandra, after the loss of her mother, Crystal had always believed in the existence of a true Mate-bond with an Alpha. She spent her formative years in search of an Alpha who would choose her as his Mate. However, even after Alpha Gordon suffered the loss of his own Mate, he showed no interest in his sister-in-law, relegating her to the role of caretaker for his daughter while expecting her to fulfill the duties of a Luna.

Sandra felt a deep-seated resentment, convinced that Alpha Gordon owed her for all she had done for him and Crystal. Yet her desires remained unfulfilled. When Marc confronted her about her misdeeds, she was left with no choice but to comply with his demands. Their clandestine meetings took place in a secluded stretch of land between the two Packs. Despite Sandra’s attempts to sway Marc against pursuing Crystal, she ultimately acquiesced, albeit reluctantly, and managed to extract some of her own wishes in return.

As time passed, Marc and Sandra found themselves entangled in a romantic liaison. Marc, with an eye on the future of the combined Packs, decided to keep her as his mistress, envisioning her as the mother of his heir. If Sandra bore him a child before Crystal did, he would reject Crystal and elevate Sandra to the status of his Mate. However, unbeknownst to Sandra, these were mere empty promises. Marc was unwilling to risk the loss of the other half of the original Pack once more; rejecting Crystal was simply not an option.

However, as the night wore on, Crystal found herself increasingly distracted. A sense of unease settled over her, prompting her to seek the Pack doctor’s assistance. Her father remained steadfast by her side, enduring test after test. It was a perceptive nurse who inadvertently set the doctor on the right path by suggesting the possibility of poisoning.

Hours dragged on as the doctor worked diligently to uncover the source of Crystal’s ailment. Those involved in the diagnosis were sworn to secrecy by Alpha Gordon, who was seething with anger yet determined to allow Crystal the opportunity to make Marc pay for his actions.

Finally, the time came for Crystal to return to the Crimson Moon Pack with her father. As they arrived, Crystal waited in the main living room, her heart pounding with anticipation. Dinner was nearing, and she knew Marc would soon arrive. The moment he stepped through the door, the memory of the drugs he had administered rushed back to him, and he instinctively placed a glass before her.

Crystal couldn’t help but laugh, a sound that rang out like a bell in the tense atmosphere. “How long can I go without that drug before I uncover your true intentions?” she challenged, locking her gaze onto Marc, a mixture of defiance and curiosity lighting her eyes.