I Ran From My Psycho Step-brother Straight Into The Alpha's Lap novel Chapter 144

**When Night Grows Softer Hope Returns To Lead Us by Asa Rowan Finn Chapter 144**

“Hey there!” Emma greeted warmly as she approached Talya, wrapping her arms around her in a comforting embrace. Madison quickly followed suit, adding her own hug to the mix.

“What brings you two here?” Talya inquired, her curiosity piqued.

“Are you gearing up for fight night with Liam?” Emma asked, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

Talya nodded, her heart fluttering at the thought. “Yeah, he just filled me in on the details.”

Emma’s brow furrowed slightly as she scrutinized Talya’s outfit. “Is that really what you’re planning to wear?”

Talya glanced down at herself, a frown creasing her forehead. “I asked Liam if this was okay, and he assured me it was fine. Is it really not?”

Madison exchanged a knowing look with Emma, a silent conversation passing between them. “Not at all, girl,” Madison declared with a hint of urgency in her voice. “We need to get you ready, or you’ll get chewed up and spit out tonight.”

Talya’s confusion deepened. “I don’t understand.”

“Listen, Talya,” Madison began, her tone serious yet encouraging. “You’re the mate of the Beta. He’s the most sought-after guy in the pack now that Garrett is married off. Every woman here has their eyes on Liam. This is your first night meeting the pack, and you need to dress the part. You want everyone to know he’s yours and that they can’t mess with you.” Her fierce determination was palpable.

“Yeah, trust me on this,” Emma chimed in, a frown crossing her face. “My first fight night was a disaster.”

“What happened?” Talya asked, intrigued.

“Well, let’s just say there were these two wicked girls trying to steal Garrett away from me,” Emma recounted, her expression darkening momentarily.

“That sounds awful,” Talya replied, her sympathy evident.

“Yeah, but I showed them who was boss,” Emma said, her grin returning as she recalled the moment.

Now fully engaged, Talya leaned in, eager for more details. “What did you do?”

“I fought Garrett,” Emma shrugged nonchalantly, her eyes glinting with mischief.

Talya’s jaw dropped in shock, while Madison and Emma burst into laughter. “Do I have to fight Garrett?” Talya asked, half-jokingly.

“Absolutely not,” came Liam’s voice from behind her, making her jump slightly. “Leave my girl alone,” he said, directing his words toward Emma and Madison.

“We’re just getting her ready for tonight,” Emma replied, her tone light yet determined.

Liam frowned, clearly not pleased. “I told her she looked fine in that.”

“Yeah, well, we don’t want ‘fine’ tonight, Liam,” Madison countered, her voice firm. Liam’s frown deepened, but Emma and Madison brushed it off. He stepped closer to Talya, lifting her effortlessly into his arms.

Madison grabbed a bag, and Emma followed closely behind as Liam carried Talya to her bedroom. He gently set her down on the bed, his expression softening. “I can send them away if you want,” he offered quietly, his eyes searching hers.

“No, you can’t,” Madison insisted, her tone leaving no room for debate. “Now shoo.” With a lingering glance at Talya, Liam exited the room.

“Okay, first things first,” Emma announced, her eyes scanning Talya’s wardrobe. “We need to figure out what she can wear that accommodates that leg cast.”

Liam shook his head, muttering under his breath, “I’m going to kill them.” Talya couldn’t help but grin at his protectiveness. He strode forward, closing the distance between them in two long strides. “You look incredibly sexy,” he said in a low, husky voice. “But I can’t let you wear that. You’re literally going to attract every available male in there tonight, and I’m not even fighting, so I can’t beat them to a pulp.”

“That seems a bit overkill, don’t you think?” Talya replied, a teasing smile playing at her lips.

Liam shook his head, his expression serious. “You have no idea. Now, go change.”

“She’s not changing, Liam,” Emma’s voice rang out from the hallway. Moments later, she and Madison re-entered the room. Liam turned to scowl at both of them.

“She’s going to be facing the pack for the first time, and she’s in an arm cast and a leg cast. She’s going to need all the help she can get. This is her power outfit. It shows that she’s not afraid of anybody,” Madison asserted, her voice firm.

“It shows something,” Liam muttered, clearly still unconvinced.

“Besides,” Emma added, crossing her arms defiantly, “you deserve this after all that you put Garrett and me through.”

Liam glanced between Emma and Talya, his resolve wavering. “Fine, but you’re not leaving my side for the night,” he relented.

Talya huffed in response. “I can’t even walk. Where am I going to go?” Before she could voice any further protests, Liam scooped her up into his arms.

“I need my phone,” Talya said, realizing she had left it behind. Emma quickly retrieved it and handed it to her. “Thanks,” Talya said gratefully.

Liam carried her effortlessly through the house and out the front door. Talya squirmed slightly in his embrace, trying to adjust her skirt as he carried her. “Maybe I should have rethought the skirt since I’m going to be carried around,” she muttered, a hint of embarrassment coloring her cheeks.

“You think?” Liam replied, sarcasm lacing his tone. She caught his gaze flicking down to her blouse and then to her legs before he closed his eyes and shook his head in disbelief. Talya smiled to herself; perhaps this outfit was indeed the perfect choice after all.