**When Broken Stars Drift Across Empty Midnight Skies by Troy Mason Venn**
**Chapter 119 Brains**
**Alayah’s p.o.v.**
Hondo’s day spent with his childhood companion had proven to be remarkably fruitful. Not only had he unearthed a trove of evidence, but he had also stumbled upon a connection to his Mate. Admittedly, I had not anticipated that this bond would be with another male, but in the grand scheme of things, that detail seemed trivial. What truly mattered was Hondo’s happiness. If anyone dared to take issue with it, they could simply step aside and let us be.
Just as I was about to inform my leadership team that we were all set for tomorrow, my phone erupted into a cacophony of ringing, the tone unmistakably signaling an Elder’s call. The sound reverberated ominously through my office, a harbinger of the challenges ahead. With a resigned sigh, I reached for the device. “Hello, Elder Aimi. What pressing matters do the Elders wish to discuss today?” I greeted, catching Anton rolling his eyes at my tone.
“We have received yet another four complaints regarding your ascension to Alpha of the Blood Stone Pack, particularly concerning your choice of Mates among your Brothers. It’s the same old song, as per usual,” Elder Aimi responded, and I felt a surge of irritation rise within me. I was thoroughly exhausted by the incessant meddling of those who believed they could dictate the course of another’s life.
“Elder Aimi, please arrange a mandatory meeting with every Pack’s leadership for tomorrow afternoon. I am done playing nice, and I intend to make it abundantly clear that they can take their opinions and shove them,” I growled, my voice low and fierce, before abruptly disconnecting the call. Topaz, my inner wolf, was roaring with indignation, eager to unleash her fury on those who dared to challenge us. I could feel her anticipation for the confrontation that awaited us.
“Bastian, I need you to prepare everything. We must tackle this swiftly, and I want every Elite Warrior on standby. Anton, see if you can locate a family willing to adopt two young Mountain Lions,” I instructed, my mind racing as I settled onto Nikolay’s lap. I was simply done with the relentless negativity that seemed to lurk around every corner.
I was acutely aware that the turmoil would not cease anytime soon, but I yearned for the day when our Archive would finally be resolved, ushering in a period of normalcy that felt like a distant dream.
Beau had managed to reach out to Hondo, informing him of our change in plans. I could hear the low growl emanating from Hondo as he processed the news, and I knew he would seize this opportunity to gather more evidence. My only hope was that this unexpected detour wouldn’t inflict additional pain or stress on the members of the Bronze Crest Pack.
I found solace in the distraction provided by my Mates, a much-needed reprieve from the weight of Hondo’s revelations and the looming challenges of tomorrow. As I drifted off to sleep with my head nestled against Nero’s broad chest, I felt a warmth enveloping me. When morning light broke, I awoke to the comforting sensation of all four of my Mates surrounding me. It was a mystery how I managed to find such a cozy position amidst them, though I agreed with Noah that it might not be the most practical way to sleep.
The door creaked open, and I could already sense our Pups making their entrance. They relished exploring our top floor, and we had installed small stair gates to prevent Maxwell and Cassandra from wandering into the rest of the Pack-house. I couldn’t help but worry that this would lead to sleepless nights for Mom, who was trying to make up for her absence in my life. But I allowed her to do so, knowing how much she cherished those little ones.
Maxwell and Cassandra adored their Grandma, which eased my mind when I left them at home. Mom and Grandma were always vigilant in looking after our Pups, even when I was in my office with the door wide open. I knew they wanted to lend us a hand, to give us the space to confront the multitude of issues that had been festering for over a century.
I felt Nikolay shift slightly, helping the Pups onto the bed while ensuring he maintained contact with me. “Hello, Monkeys,” he greeted warmly, and I could hear both of them respond with their playful “Nuh, Nuh. Lycan.” I felt Nathan shake beneath me, sharing my amusement at their antics.


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