I Ran From My Psycho Step-brother Straight Into The Alpha's Lap novel Chapter 157

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

**Chapter 157**

After what felt like an eternity of walking, Talya turned abruptly to confront the wolf. “Why did you do that?” she demanded, her voice laced with frustration. “You had to know he would be there!”

The wolf met her gaze with an unsettling calmness. “I did,” he replied, his tone steady and unflinching.

“Then why didn’t you say anything? Why didn’t I think about it?” Talya’s anger was a tangled mess of emotions, directed at both the wolf and herself. The realization hit her hard, the weight of her oversight pressing down like a boulder.

“If I had uttered a single word about his presence, you would have hesitated. You would have never ventured far enough in,” the wolf explained, his voice devoid of any hint of remorse.

Suddenly, a wave of exhaustion washed over Talya, leaving her feeling drained. She sank to her knees, the cool ground grounding her in the midst of her turmoil.

Opening her eyes, she groaned in frustration. “Are you kidding me?” she shouted into the emptiness of her room, her voice echoing back at her. Just then, a soft knock interrupted her thoughts.

“Talya, are you okay, honey?” her grandmother’s concerned voice floated through the door as she gently pushed it open.

“Yeah, I just remembered something for, uh, a class today that I forgot about,” Talya replied, her words feeling flimsy and inadequate.

“Okay, sweetie,” her grandma said, her eyes filled with warmth. “Is there anything I can do to help?”

Talya offered her grandmother a smile, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “No, thank you, though.” As the door clicked shut behind her grandma, Talya’s smile vanished, replaced by a gnawing frustration. She was left alone with her thoughts, and the weight of unanswered questions loomed heavily. With a resigned groan, she pulled herself from the comfort of her bed.

She had to push the thoughts of her dream walking aside; exams were looming, and she couldn’t afford to be distracted in these final days before the big tests. After an exhausting afternoon and evening of studying alongside Sage, she bid her friend farewell and prepared for bed. Sleep came quickly, and before she knew it, she was slipping into her dream state.

As if summoned, the wolf appeared before her. “Are you ready?” he inquired, his demeanor unwavering.

Talya crossed her arms defiantly. “Nice ending last night,” she retorted, sarcasm dripping from her words.

The wolf chose to ignore her jab. “Let’s get you to the vampire realm,” he instructed, his focus unbroken.

“What about the vampire?” Talya hesitated, her heart racing.

“I don’t think he can hurt you,” the wolf reassured her.

Talya raised an eyebrow, skepticism etched on her face. “You don’t think?” she echoed incredulously.

“You are his opposite—a being composed of shifter energy. I believe you will repel him,” the wolf stated confidently.

“Well, what if I don’t?” she countered, her anxiety bubbling to the surface.

“I’m sure you will,” the wolf replied, continuing on his path without a hint of doubt.

Talya hurried to keep pace with him. “Not to be the negative one here, but I really don’t think this is going to work.”

“It will be fine,” he assured her, his unwavering confidence both infuriating and oddly comforting.

That night, however, Talya didn’t venture into her dreamland. Nor did she the following night or the one after that. A week passed, and she experienced a whirlwind of emotions—from relief to worry, frustration to fear, anger to a numbing sense of defeat.

She was at a loss, unsure of what was happening, but she couldn’t afford to waste any more mental energy on it. There was nothing she could do about the situation until the wolf decided to bring her back.

With a heavy heart, she set aside that part of her life, focusing instead on the finish line of her schooling.

The next two weeks sped by in a blur. Her birthday came and went, celebrated quietly at home with her grandparents and Sage. Suddenly, graduation day arrived, and Sage was at Talya’s house bright and early, ready to start the festivities. Talya navigated around her room carefully, her boot finally off.

“How does it feel?” Sage asked, a bright smile on her face.

Talya shook her head, a grin breaking through her earlier worries. “It feels weird but good. I’m so glad my doctor let me get it off a few days early.”

“I know! That’s fantastic; now all your graduation pictures won’t feature you in that boot,” Sage replied, her enthusiasm infectious.

“Yeah! Are you ready to get started?” Talya asked, her excitement bubbling over. “I was thinking we could do hair first, then makeup, and finally get dressed.”

“You’re the expert,” Sage said, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

“Alright, let’s tackle your hair first,” Talya declared. The next hour was spent curling and styling Sage’s hair, weaving it into a beautiful creation. As Sage began applying the basics of her makeup, Talya turned her attention to her own hair. She had finally gotten it cut, the weight lifted, though it still cascaded halfway down her back. She decided to straighten it and let it flow freely for the day.

Once she finished with Sage’s makeup, Talya stepped back, admiring her handiwork with a proud smile. “What do you think?” she asked, her heart swelling with satisfaction.