I Ran From My Psycho Step-brother Straight Into The Alpha's Lap novel Chapter 185

**When Night Grows Softer Hope Returns To Lead Us by Asa Rowan Finn**
**Chapter 185**

A week slipped by like a shadow before Paul finally gave the nod for Talya and Emma to leave. Talya had a nagging suspicion that they could have been cleared to go much sooner, but Paul, ever the cautious guardian, was not about to gamble with their safety. He had been attentive and nurturing towards both Talya and Emma, yet his focus remained steadfastly on Sage. It was a slow and painful process for her to awaken from her slumber, and when she finally did, she remained locked in silence, refusing to engage with anyone around her. Paul, in his protective wisdom, refrained from revealing his identity, as did the others.

Talya, sensing the weight of Sage’s trauma, decided to hold off for a few days before breaking the news. She could see the shadows of horror lurking in Sage’s eyes, a silent testament to whatever horrors she had faced before Talya and Emma had arrived. Concern gnawed at Talya’s heart, but she resolved to let Sage find her footing before burdening her with more revelations.

One morning, as light filtered softly through the window, Sage stirred, her eyes fluttering open as she propped herself up against the pillows. Talya, sensing the moment was right, approached her and settled beside her on the bed. “How are you feeling?” she asked gently, her voice a soothing balm.

Sage merely shrugged, the gesture heavy with unspoken words. “Okay,” she replied, but Talya yearned for more than just a one-word answer. She had made a pact with Paul to allow Sage the space to process her emotions at her own pace, even if it meant holding back her own worries.

“Are you leaving?” Sage’s voice was barely a whisper, filled with an undertone of uncertainty.

Talya nodded, feeling a pang of sadness at the thought of leaving. “I got the all clear to leave,” she replied, trying to infuse her words with optimism. Sage nodded in response, her silence speaking volumes. “So,” Talya ventured, her voice brightening, “how about you stay with me for the summer? I mean, wouldn’t you hate to lie to your parents?” A smile crept onto her face, attempting to coax a response from Sage.

Once Sage regained enough strength to be alert, she had reached out to her parents, informing them of her decision to spend the summer with Talya. She had expressed her apologies for the lack of communication, but thankfully, her parents had been away for most of the time she had been missing, blissfully unaware of her absence. Talya felt a twinge of guilt on Sage’s behalf, but at least it spared her from a chaotic uproar upon her return.

Sage hesitated, and for a moment, Talya’s heart sank, fearing rejection. However, Sage finally spoke, “Yeah, I guess that would work.”

Talya nodded, her smile returning, albeit with a hint of forced cheer. In the periphery, she felt Paul’s steady presence, always lingering close to Sage, a silent guardian. It seemed that Sage was oblivious to his watchful gaze. “Sage,” Paul interjected, his voice calm yet firm, “I want to keep you here for another twenty-four hours. Let’s see if we can get you to eat something. If everything checks out, you can go with Talya tomorrow.”

Sage didn’t respond; instead, she sank back into her pillow, retreating into herself. Talya leaned in, wrapping her arms around her friend in a gentle embrace. “It’s going to be okay; I promise,” she whispered, hoping to infuse some comfort into Sage’s troubled heart. The faintest hint of a smile flickered across Sage’s face, and while it was small, it was a victory Talya cherished.

Moments later, Liam stepped into the room, his presence a welcome relief. “You’re back!” Talya exclaimed, her voice brimming with gratitude.

He offered a weary smile in return. “I’m back.” Talya wasted no time and enveloped him in a tight hug. He had just returned from a harrowing mission, dismantling two vampire hideouts, and she was grateful for his safety.

Talya turned to Paul, her eyes filled with sincerity. “Thanks for everything, Paul.”

“Anytime,” he replied with a warm smile. “Don’t worry about her,” he added softly, “I’ll take care of her.”

“I know,” Talya assured him. “Just give her time; don’t push her into anything,” she cautioned, her voice laced with concern.

Paul nodded, understanding the gravity of her words. “I won’t,” he promised.

“Thanks, Paul,” Liam added, placing a supportive hand on his shoulder. He then took Talya’s hand, guiding her out to his car. The drive back to his place was enveloped in a heavy silence, each lost in their own thoughts.

Once they arrived, Liam escorted her to her room and placed a gentle kiss on her cheek. “You go ahead and get ready for bed. I’ll be back in a while,” he said, before stepping out. Talya watched him leave, her heart heavy with the knowledge that he was not okay, not by any stretch of the imagination. She resolved to give him a few moments of solitude before seeking him out herself.

Quickly, she changed into a comfortable tank top and shorts, the fabric soft against her skin. She lay down on her bed, the stillness of the room wrapping around her like a comforting blanket. But after thirty minutes, the urge to check on Liam became too strong to resist.

“It’s not your job to protect everyone, Talya!” Liam shouted, frustration pouring from him.

“You’re not the Dreamer! You have no idea what it’s like!” she shot back, her voice rising in defiance.

“No, I don’t know what being the Dreamer is like,” he admitted, his tone softening slightly. “But I do understand the weight of responsibility. I know what it means to try to protect others. I get it, Talya, I really do. But I’ve also learned to trust others over the years. My pack has my back, and I trust them just like Garrett trusts me to have his.”

“I’m so sorry, Liam,” Talya said, her voice trembling. “I did what I thought I had to.”

“I know,” Liam replied, the tension between them simmering down. They fell into silence, each lost in their thoughts, the air thick with unspoken emotions.

“I’ll do a better job of trusting you,” Talya said finally, breaking the silence.

“I’ll do a better job of protecting you,” he promised, a hint of resolve in his voice.

Talya wanted to argue against that, to assert her independence, but she didn’t want to ignite another fight.

“I should have been terrified out of my mind,” she began, her voice steady as she sat on the weight bench beside him. “And I was, at times. But honestly, what scared me the most was when…” she paused, her heart racing as the memories washed over her. “When I thought I’d never see you again, when I thought we wouldn’t have a future together.” Her voice wavered, emotion threatening to spill over.

Liam shifted closer, pulling her gently from her seat and onto his lap. He wrapped his arms around her, holding her tightly as if he could shield her from the world. “I guess I hadn’t realized how deeply I care for you,” Talya admitted softly, her heart laid bare in that moment. “And it kind of scares me.”