I Ran From My Psycho Step-brother Straight Into The Alpha's Lap novel Chapter 188

**When Night Grows Softer Hope Returns To Lead Us by Asa Rowan Finn 188**

**Chapter 188**

The following fortnight sped by in a blur as Talya settled into a routine that revolved around her job at the coffee shop and her adventures with the wolves. Each day seemed to blend seamlessly into the next, marked by the thrill of their recent successes in shutting down two more sites. The anticipation of tracking down the next target filled her with a renewed sense of purpose. Talya couldn’t help but feel a surge of excitement at the thought of what lay ahead.

“Hey Sage!” Talya called out, rapping lightly on the bedroom door that separated her from her friend. For the past two weeks, Sage had been staying in the room adjacent to Talya’s at Liam’s house, and though their time together had been limited, Talya cherished every moment.

“Come in!” Sage’s voice floated back, warm and inviting.

Talya pushed the door open and stepped inside, her heart light with the prospect of their friendship growing stronger. “I’m heading over to the coffee shop for my shift. Want to join me?”

“I’m good, thanks,” Sage replied, her tone casual but with a hint of something unspoken lingering in the air.

“I’ll bring you back an iced coffee,” Talya promised, knowing it was Sage’s favorite. The thought of her friend sipping on the chilled drink brought a smile to her lips.

“Thanks,” Sage said, a small smile breaking through her earlier reserve. Talya closed the door behind her, a twinge of guilt settling in her chest. She wished desperately that she could coax Sage out of her shell, but both Liam and Paul had advised her to let Sage find her own way, at her own pace.

Hours later, the familiar jingle of the coffee shop door announced Liam’s arrival. Talya looked up from behind the counter and met his gaze, her heart fluttering at the sight of him. “Can I steal you for a little bit?” he asked, a playful smile dancing on his lips.

“Emma, I’m taking my break now!” Talya called out, her voice carrying through the shop.

“Sounds good!” Emma replied from the back, her tone cheerful.

“What’s up?” Talya asked, falling into step beside Liam as they exited the shop together.

“I have a surprise for you,” he said, his eyes twinkling with mischief. When he didn’t elaborate, Talya’s curiosity piqued.

“What is it?” she pressed, her excitement bubbling beneath the surface.

“I can’t tell you. It’s a surprise,” Liam replied, grinning like a cat that got the cream. He placed a reassuring hand on the small of her back, guiding her toward his car.

“Where are we going?” Talya asked, glancing around as they walked.

“You do know how a surprise works, right?” he teased, clearly enjoying her impatience.

“Fine,” Talya huffed, unable to suppress a grin as he opened the car door for her. Though a million questions swirled in her mind, she refrained from asking any more, eager to see what he had in store.

Moments later, they arrived at his house. Talya scanned the familiar surroundings, searching for any signs of change but finding none. She climbed the steps to the front porch, her heart racing with anticipation. As she cautiously opened the door, she half-expected something to leap out at her, but nothing happened. Taking a deep breath, she stepped inside and peered around the quiet home.

It wasn’t until she passed the kitchen that she halted in her tracks. “Grandma? Grandpop?” Her voice trembled with disbelief as tears sprang to her eyes. Without a moment’s hesitation, she rushed toward them, wrapping her arms around them in a tight embrace. “What are you doing here?” she asked, her voice shaky as she fought to regain her composure.

Her grandmother was busy wiping her own eyes, a smile breaking through her tears. “That boy of yours flew us here,” Grandpop said gruffly, his voice thick with emotion.

“I can’t believe you actually flew,” Talya exclaimed, astonished.

“They sent a lovely man to accompany us. He took care of all the luggage, the tickets, everything,” Grandma explained, her eyes sparkling with joy.

Of course he did, Talya thought, a warm smile spreading across her face. “How long are you staying?” she inquired, her heart racing with hope.

“Positive,” Talya assured him. “Is that okay with you? Is that what you want?” she turned to her grandparents, her voice laced with hope.

“Yes, dear. That’s what we want,” Grandma said with tenderness.

“Then, I’ll make it happen,” Liam said simply, followed by a soft kiss on her cheek. “We’ve got a pack meeting to attend in just a few minutes. Do you want to come, or would you prefer to stay here?”

“I’ll go with,” Talya decided, her voice firm. “Do I have time for a quick shower?”

“Yeah, go ahead,” Liam encouraged, his eyes warm with affection.

Talya hugged her grandparents once more, her heart brimming with joy. “I can’t believe you’re really here. Are you sure this is what you want?” she asked, her voice filled with concern.

“Talya, all we’ve ever wanted was to love you and take care of you. You’ve grown into an amazing, capable, beautiful woman. We realize it’s time to let you forge your own path. But if living beside you is what we can do, we would love nothing more!” Grandma said, her voice thick with emotion.

Talya turned to her Grandpop, who nodded in agreement. “What she said,” he said gruffly, his eyes glistening with pride. Talya hugged them both again, wiping away the tears that had escaped her eyes. Once their embrace ended, she turned to Liam, pulling him down the hallway with her.

“I can’t ever thank you enough,” she said sincerely, her heart full.

His expression softened, radiating tenderness and love as he gazed down at her. “You don’t need to, Talya. I love you.”

Talya wrapped her arms around his waist, holding on tightly. He enveloped her in his embrace, grounding her in the moment. After a few heartbeats, she leaned back to meet his gaze.

Taking a deep breath, she asked, “Do you still want to mate with me?”