I Ran From My Psycho Step-brother Straight Into The Alpha's Lap novel Chapter 164

**When Night Grows Softer Hope Returns To Lead Us by Asa Rowan Finn**
**Chapter 164**

The wolf inclined his head slightly, a gesture that conveyed both understanding and urgency. “He could survive. But if the vampires aren’t halted, many lives will be lost.”

Talya felt a wave of uncertainty wash over her. “I-I can’t,” she stammered, her voice barely escaping her lips.

Rising to its full height, the wolf exuded a sense of power and inevitability. “It is your choice,” he stated, his tone firm yet laced with a hint of compassion. He began to turn away, his silhouette gradually merging with the shadows of the forest.

A surge of panic ignited within Talya, a visceral reaction that clawed at her insides. “Wait! Will Liam be okay?” she called out, desperation lacing her words. The wolf continued to retreat, his form becoming indistinct. Just as frustration and anger threatened to overwhelm her, the world around her began to dissolve into darkness.

When Talya finally opened her eyes again, she found herself sitting up abruptly. They had come to a halt. She cast a quick glance down at Liam, relief flooding her as she confirmed he remained unconscious, his breathing steady but shallow. With a heavy sigh, she buried her face in her hands, feeling the weight of her worries pressing down on her. She shook her head in disbelief, running her fingers through Liam’s soft fur one last time, grounding herself in the moment before she shuffled to the back of the car.

Steven emerged from the vehicle, his silence speaking volumes. He walked around to the rear and opened the door for her, an unspoken promise of support.

Talya stepped out and stretched, her muscles protesting the confinement. As she turned back to Liam, Steven’s voice broke through her thoughts. “I’ll keep a watch over him,” he assured her, his tone steady and reassuring.

A small smile flickered across Talya’s face, gratefulness mingling with her anxiety. “Thank you,” she replied softly. With a resolute breath, she began her trek toward the gas station. The urgency of her bodily needs was compounded by the monumental task ahead: she had to find a specific Alpha and persuade him not to take his dying friend to the only person capable of saving him, but instead to divert his attention to hunting down vampires in an undisclosed location somewhere in Chicago. “Yep, seems like a solid plan to me,” Talya muttered under her breath, a sarcastic edge to her voice. “Why me?” she lamented aloud, the weight of her predicament pressing heavily on her shoulders.

Entering the gas station, she made a beeline for the bathroom. The relief was momentary, and when she stepped back into the store, she spotted Max waiting for her, his imposing figure a stark contrast to her frazzled state. He followed her as she navigated through the aisles and out the front door, his presence both comforting and intimidating.

Tilting her head back to meet his gaze, Talya swallowed hard, feeling a knot form in her throat. “I need to talk to Garrett,” she said, her voice trembling slightly.

Max regarded her with a nod, leading her toward another Land Rover parked a short distance away. Just as Garrett was about to slide into the driver’s seat, Max called out, “Boss.”

Garrett turned, his expression unreadable, and Talya felt her heart race as she approached him. Max gestured toward her, and Garrett’s attention shifted fully to her, a weighty silence enveloping the moment.

Taking a deep breath, Talya struggled to find her voice. “Um, so I had a dream,” she began, struggling to articulate the gravity of her message. A quick glance at Garrett revealed his sunglasses obscuring his eyes, leaving his expression a mystery. “I don’t really know how to say this, so I’m just going to say it. We have to stop. There’s a,” she hesitated, the word feeling heavy on her tongue, “vampire site.” She fell silent, her heart pounding as she awaited his reaction.

Garrett’s response was immediate, his voice sharp and clipped. “Where?”

Talya let out a weary sigh, bracing herself for the scrutiny that lay ahead. “Somewhere in Chicago. That’s all I know.”

The aftermath of her outburst left a heavy silence in its wake. Talya flinched when she felt a gentle hand on her arm. She turned to see Emma’s reassuring touch. “It’s okay, Talya. You’re doing the best you can,” she said softly, her voice a balm to Talya’s frayed nerves. “Garrett, what are we going to do?” Emma inquired, her eyes shifting to the Alpha.

Madison appeared at Emma’s side, flanked by Kyle and Wyatt, their presence adding to the gravity of the moment.

Talya hadn’t realized they had rejoined their group, and the silence stretched painfully long before Garrett pushed his sunglasses up onto his forehead, revealing his eyes, which locked onto Talya’s with an intensity that made her heart race. In that moment, she could see the turmoil within him; it mirrored her own internal struggle.

Should they gamble with Liam’s life to confront vampires at a location they had no concrete information about? Garrett averted his gaze, and Talya seized the opportunity to catch her breath, the tension easing slightly.

“It’s young girls,” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper, but the weight of her words hung heavily in the air.

She watched as the fight seemed to drain from Garrett. He surveyed the other members of his pack, their expressions a mix of concern and determination. “If we do this, we have to all unanimously decide to pursue the vampires,” he said, his voice low and resolute. “We are risking the life of our Beta and our friend. We must be absolutely certain that this is the right course of action.” He inhaled deeply, the tension in his shoulders evident. “As your leader…” he paused, the internal battle visible on his face. Talya could see when he reached his conclusion.

He straightened, a newfound resolve emanating from him. “As your leader, I believe we have no choice but to follow Talya’s lead, but I am open to hearing from anyone who feels differently.”

The air was thick with uncertainty, a palpable tension hanging in the balance. After a moment, Emma spoke softly, her voice cutting through the stillness. “I don’t think we can afford not to.”