Love Times Four My Stepbrothers Are My Mates (Alayah) novel Chapter 40

**When Broken Stars Drift Across Empty Midnight Skies by Troy Mason Venn**
**Chapter 40: New Pack-house**

**Noah’s p.o.v.**

“Brace yourself, Anton,” Crystal warns, her eyes glinting with a playful mischief that dances like starlight. “You have no idea what Alayah can unleash when pushed.” She leans in closer, lowering her voice conspiratorially. “She’s been holding back for quite some time now, but believe me, she’s more than ready to unleash her fury if you dare to provoke her even a little more. Calling her a liar? That might just be the final straw.” The sheer horror that flashes across Anton’s face is almost comical, and I can’t suppress a chuckle at the mental image of him facing Alayah’s wrath. It would be a spectacle worth witnessing.

Nikolay, always the voice of reason, interjects with a calmness that’s almost soothing. “Relax, Anton. She’ll be back on Monday. I seriously doubt she’s still holding a grudge against us. If she were, she would have sent that message Crystal received straight to your father or Alpha Randell. By now, she must have pieced together what really went down. It’s possible she didn’t even grasp the full extent of her own abilities.” His words seem to weave a comforting spell over the room, easing the tension that had begun to coil around us.

Yet, beneath the surface, a flicker of fear simmers within each of us—the fear that Alayah might still be harboring some resentment for our earlier doubts. The mere thought of confronting that reality sends a shiver down my spine. I’ve heard whispers about Alayah from various members of the Pack, each story painting a picture of a woman who is always strategizing, always several steps ahead, fiercely protective of those she holds dear.

Marc, eager to shift the mood, breaks the silence. “So, what do you all think about the new Pack-house?” His curiosity is palpable, and it draws our attention. Nathan, practically vibrating with enthusiasm, begins to enumerate the differences between our new home and the old one. “I’m absolutely thrilled about having my own space! No more interruptions from the three Stooges while I’m trying to watch TV or dive into a good book!” he exclaims, only to be met with a playful smack on the head from Nero. Nikolay and I exchange mock disapproving snarls at Nathan’s antics, feigning outrage.

“Just wait until the new Pack-house is finished,” Crystal teases, her eyes sparkling with mirth, a lightness that contrasts with the underlying tension.

Eiji, ever the pragmatic one, interjects thoughtfully, “Does she even realize we might not be living here for long? If Alayah steps into her rightful role as the Alpha of Blood Stone Pack and accepts us as her Mates, we could very well be relocating with her. Have you seen what their Pack-house looks like?” His question lingers in the air, heavy with implications. Alayah is indeed the rightful heir to the Alpha title, and if she acknowledges our bond, we will follow her wherever she leads.

Crystal’s sudden outburst jolts me from my thoughts. “No way in hell am I sharing a floor with all of you!” Her tone is a mix of seriousness and jest, and I glance at my brothers, who are all pointing fingers at Anton, their expressions a blend of accusation and amusement. I hesitate, trying to piece together what I’ve missed, but Anton quickly clarifies. “Why not? If we convert the top floor of the new Pack-house into three separate apartments, we can all live there together. I’m not suggesting we need to eat every meal together or be glued at the hip. Each apartment would come equipped with its own kitchen, living room, and dining area. This way, if anyone wants some family time, they can have it without having to trek up and down the stairs.”

Anton’s reasoning is compelling and hard to dispute. “Moreover,” he continues, “it’s more practical and cost-effective to implement security measures on one floor rather than spread out across four. We could even designate an apartment for our Deltas. I’m merely proposing an idea here.”

For a fleeting moment, I find myself siding with Crystal; the thought of living on the same floor as the Beta and Alpha doesn’t exactly thrill me. But Anton raises a valid point regarding security. The more I mull it over, the more I see the benefits. Centralizing our leadership could provide an added layer of protection for the Pack, especially for any Pups residing on the top floor. Yet, it also poses a risk; if an enemy were to strike, they could easily corner our entire leadership.

“If they decide to house the Alpha, Beta, and Gamma on one floor, we’ll be living there too. Alayah will have four Mates, not just one, as Anton seems to think,” Eiji adds, his voice steady and pragmatic. This realization prompts me to reconsider the layout. Perhaps it would be wise to ensure that Erick has an apartment on the top floor as well.

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