I Ran From My Psycho Step-brother Straight Into The Alpha's Lap novel Chapter 138

**When Night Grows Softer Hope Returns To Lead Us by Asa Rowan Finn 138**

**Chapter 138**

“Paul, put her down and get out of here!” Garrett’s voice thundered through the chaos, slicing through the tension like a knife. The urgency in his tone was unmistakable, and it jolted Paul into action. With a determined stride, he moved into the kitchen, his grip firm as he placed Talya onto the counter.

“Don’t put weight on that leg,” he warned, his voice a mixture of concern and authority. It was the last thing he said before he vanished, leaving a heavy silence in his wake. Madison approached Talya, her expression softening as she took her place beside her.

“You okay?” Madison asked, her voice laced with empathy. Talya could hear the distant sounds of struggle—another snarl followed by a heavy thud, as if Liam was being forcefully shoved back to the ground. “They’re not hurting him, if that helps,” Madison added, trying to provide some comfort. But the words felt hollow. Each sound that reached Talya’s ears only deepened her dread.

The moment Talya heard another noise that suggested Liam was in pain, a surge of panic overwhelmed her. She couldn’t remain passive any longer. With determination, she hopped off the counter, landing on her good foot, and began to make her way around the corner, desperate to see what was happening.

Horror washed over her like a cold wave when she spotted the three men pinning Liam down. The sight ignited a fire within her. “Get off him, you brutes!” she shouted, her voice ringing with fierce defiance. Time seemed to freeze for an instant as everyone turned their attention to her. “I’m not kidding! Get off him!”

“Are you in control?” Garrett asked, his voice low and steady, almost menacing. Talya couldn’t hear Liam’s reply, but moments later, the men released him, stepping back. Garrett was the last to rise, and as he did, Liam sprang to his feet, urgency fueling his movements. He strode towards Talya, scooping her into his arms without hesitation, and carried her down the hallway with purpose.

He entered his bedroom, slamming the door behind them with a resounding thud. “Are you okay?” he asked, his voice low and tinged with anger, a protective growl that sent shivers down her spine.

“Yes, are you?” Talya replied, her voice nearly frantic. Her eyes roamed over him, taking in the split lip, the bruised eye, and the torn fabric of his shirt. But more than his injuries, it was the palpable fury radiating from him that unsettled her. His body trembled with restrained rage, and she felt helpless to soothe him.

Tentatively, she placed her hand on his chest, hoping to bridge the gap between them. He pulled her closer, inhaling deeply as if her presence could anchor him. Slowly, she sensed the anger ebbing away from him, but it was still there, simmering just beneath the surface. Gently, she traced her fingers over his split lip. “Why did they hurt you?” she asked, confusion clouding her thoughts. “I thought they were your friends.”

Liam exhaled heavily, the weight of his words hanging in the air. “They restrained me, or I would have killed Paul,” he stated, his tone grave and unwavering.

Talya gasped, her heart racing. “Why?” she asked, incredulous.

“Because he touched you; more than that, he carried you,” he replied, anger flaring in his eyes.

“But you carry me all the time,” Talya countered, her brow furrowing in confusion. “He was just helping me to the kitchen because of my leg.”

Without uttering a word, Liam moved with purpose, guiding Talya behind his house and towards the woods that enveloped his home. She felt a flutter of anxiety in her stomach; she wanted to ask him what he was about to reveal, but the words caught in her throat. Whatever it was, it felt significant, monumental even.

After walking a short distance into the woods, Liam finally halted. He carefully set her down on a sturdy log, kneeling in front of her with a seriousness that made her heart race. He placed a reassuring hand on her knee. “I want to reveal my true self to you. Don’t be scared. I would never hurt you,” he said, his voice steady yet filled with an undercurrent of vulnerability. Then, taking a step back, he prepared her for what was to come.

Talya’s breath caught in her throat. She had no idea what to expect, but nothing could have prepared her for the transformation that unfolded before her eyes. In an instant, the man she knew was gone, replaced by a magnificent brown wolf standing before her. Her heart raced, not out of fear, but sheer shock.

Suddenly, the words from the wolf in her dream echoed in her mind, reverberating like a distant bell. “Now you have a new protector. One of my own. He will protect you with his very life. I have created him to do so. There are hard times ahead, Talya. You must let your protector do his job. Your life is too valuable.”

She remembered asking, “Who’s coming? Who’s my protector?”

And she recalled the wolf’s response, “You already know who he is.”

Tears welled in Talya’s eyes as she gazed at the wolf before her, realization dawning upon her like the first light of dawn. Yes, she already did know who he was.