I Ran From My Psycho Step-brother Straight Into The Alpha's Lap novel Chapter 142

**When Night Grows Softer Hope Returns To Lead Us by Asa Rowan Finn**
**Chapter 142**

Talya felt utterly drained, her energy reserves depleted after everything that had transpired. When Liam swept her into his arms, she instinctively rested her head against his chest, finding solace in the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. He carried her effortlessly into the kitchen, setting her down gently in a chair as if she were made of glass. The familiar scent of food wafted through the air, and he reached into a bag, pulling out a sub sandwich. “It’s chicken salad,” he announced, holding it out to her.

“Yummy. Thank you,” Talya replied, her voice barely above a whisper, but the warmth of gratitude filled her heart.

Liam then retrieved three more sandwiches and a couple of bags of chips from the bag, his movements fluid and confident. “Two of the guys guarding the house are joining us for lunch, if that’s alright with you,” he said, glancing at her for approval.

Talya nodded, a small smile gracing her lips. “Of course. I forgot there were guys outside keeping watch.”

“Good. Then they’re doing their job,” Liam replied, a hint of satisfaction lacing his tone.

“They can come inside,” Talya offered, her heart swelling with kindness. “They don’t have to stay outside the whole time.”

“No, they do,” Liam insisted, his voice firm yet playful. Just then, the front door swung open, and two men stepped into the kitchen.

“Talya, this is Wyatt and Steven,” Liam introduced, gesturing towards the newcomers. Talya’s gaze lifted, taking in the sight of two strikingly handsome, muscular men who seemed to radiate strength.

“Good night! Is it a wolf thing that you all look so handsome and are built like tank trucks?” Talya teased, unable to hide her amusement.

Wyatt and Steven exchanged grins, their confidence shining through, while Liam shot her a mock scowl. “Talya,” he growled, his tone low and playful.

“What? I’m just sayin’,” she replied, her grin widening as she enjoyed the banter.

“Well, don’t,” Liam retorted, moving closer to her. He leaned down, his voice dropping to a husky whisper. “You’re only supposed to notice one man in this room.”

“Oh, right,” Talya replied, her tone teasing. “Which man is that supposed to be again?” The playful challenge danced in her eyes.

Liam took a seat beside her, his expression a mix of annoyance and amusement. “Eat your sandwich, woman.”

Talya burst into laughter, the sound ringing through the kitchen, and in response, he offered her a begrudging smile.

Turning her attention to Wyatt and Steven, she said, “Thanks for doing security. I really appreciate it.”

They both nodded, their expressions serious but appreciative of her gratitude. The atmosphere settled into a comfortable silence as everyone began to eat. Talya lifted her sandwich to her lips and took a hearty bite. “Mmm,” she murmured, savoring the flavor. After swallowing, she turned to Liam, her eyes sparkling with delight. “It’s really good. Thank you.”

Liam’s face softened as he responded, “You’re welcome.” Throughout lunch, he kept the conversation lively, ensuring that everyone felt included. Once they finished their meal, Wyatt and Steven excused themselves, heading back outside to resume their duties.

Liam turned to Talya, lifting her effortlessly once more. “Where do you want to settle?” he asked, his voice gentle.

“Um, I guess the couch,” Talya replied, feeling the weight of fatigue settle over her.

Once in the kitchen, she sank into one of the chairs, taking a moment to catch her breath. Her eyes scanned the list of meals she had planned, trying to decide what to whip up for dinner that evening. After a moment’s thought, she settled on Chicken Alfredo. It seemed manageable and wouldn’t require her to stand at the stove for too long.

Just as she was getting into the rhythm of her thoughts, a quick knock sounded at the front door, followed by Wyatt’s voice. “Talya, your groceries are here.”

“Oh, great! Come on in!” she called back, hopping out of the way as Wyatt and Steven entered, arms laden with bags. They carefully set everything down on the counters, and she felt a wave of relief wash over her.

“Thank you so much,” she said, her gratitude sincere.

“We’ll help put them away,” Wyatt said, already starting to pull items out of the bags. Together, he and Steven efficiently organized the groceries, while Talya attempted to assist but soon realized she was more of a hindrance than a help. With a resigned smile, she stepped aside and let them work their magic. Once they finished, they checked in with her to see if she needed anything else before slipping back outside.

With the kitchen finally quiet, Talya took a deep breath and got started on her cooking, knowing she would need to pace herself. She decided to tackle dessert first, opting for cream cheese brownies—always a crowd-pleaser. As she mixed the ingredients, she couldn’t help but ponder what kind of desserts Liam might enjoy.

Time slipped by quickly, and although she worked at a slower pace with one arm, by the time five o’clock rolled around, she felt a sense of accomplishment. The salad was prepped and just needed dressing, while the pasta, chicken, corn, and sauce were all ready to go. The garlic bread was finishing up in the oven, filling the air with a mouthwatering aroma.

Suddenly, she heard the front door open, and her heart raced as she turned to greet Liam.

He appeared around the corner, his gaze locking onto her with a mixture of surprise and admiration. “Hey,” she greeted, her smile bright.

“I can’t decide whether I should hug you for making what smells like an amazing dinner or scold you for doing all this when you’re supposed to be resting,” he said, a frown tugging at his lips, but the concern in his eyes was unmistakable.