I Ran From My Psycho Step-brother Straight Into The Alpha's Lap novel Chapter 38

**When Night Grows Softer Hope Returns To Lead Us by Asa Rowan Finn**
**Chapter 38**

Sophie quietly slipped out of the warmth of her bed, the chill of the morning air nipping at her as she moved. She rummaged through her clothes, pulling out a pair of jeans that Madison had generously gifted her. However, as she tried them on, she found they hung loosely around her waist, making her feel a bit lost in them. With a sigh, she opted for her trusty black leggings, which hugged her comfortably. She paired them with a long-sleeved gray shirt that belonged to Madison, its soft fabric a reminder of her friend’s warmth.

After undoing her braid, she ran her fingers through her hair, contemplating how to style it for the day. With a decisive nod to herself, she gathered her hair into a high ponytail, securing it with a hair tie. Feeling somewhat put together, she made her bed, smoothing out the covers with a sense of accomplishment before heading out into the hallway.

As she descended the stairs, the dim light from the kitchen illuminated her path. The world outside was still cloaked in darkness, but the glow over the stove provided just enough light for her to navigate her way to the living room.

“Good morning, Sophie!” came a voice that startled her. She hadn’t noticed Kyle had already come downstairs. “Sorry to startle you,” he added, a hint of amusement in his tone.

“Whew, no worries,” Sophie replied, her heart still racing as she attempted to regain her composure.

“Would you like some coffee or breakfast or anything?” Kyle offered, his voice friendly and inviting.

“I’m good, thank you,” Sophie answered, grateful for his thoughtfulness.

“Alright then, let’s go. Levi’s waiting out front,” Kyle said, gesturing towards the door. Sophie followed him, her mind already racing with thoughts of the day ahead.

“Hold up. Let me go first,” he instructed, and she stepped back, allowing him to lead the way. With a firm hand, she closed the door behind her, ensuring it was locked tight. The cold air hit her like a splash of ice water, and she hurried towards the car, eager to escape the chill. Kyle opened the back door for her, and she slid into the seat, grateful for the warmth inside.

“Morning,” she greeted Levi, who sat in the front seat, his expression unreadable. He merely grunted in response, his eyes still heavy with sleep.

Kyle turned to Sophie with a grin. “He’s not a morning person,” he said, playfully slapping Levi on the back, eliciting a small grunt from him.

Sophie couldn’t help but smile. “Neither is Liam,” she chimed in, recalling the many mornings they had spent together, both groggy and reluctant to face the day.

Kyle laughed heartily. “No, he’s definitely not.”

“But you are?” Sophie asked, her curiosity piqued.

“I have to be. Madison hates mornings and sleeps like the dead. One of us has to be functional,” he replied with a grin that warmed her heart. The affection in his voice made her wonder what it felt like to be loved so completely by someone. She shook off the thought, redirecting her focus to the day ahead.

“Thanks for the ride,” she said, breaking the silence.

“Of course,” Kyle said easily, and Levi nodded in agreement, though his eyes remained fixed on the road.

The drive was quiet, filled with the soft hum of the engine and the occasional rustle of their movements. When they arrived in front of Sip and Drip, Sophie opened her door and stepped out, feeling the cool air again. Kyle came around and stood beside her, his demeanor serious.

“Next time, wait for me, alright? I always want to make sure it’s safe before you climb out,” he instructed, his protective nature shining through. Sophie stared at him for a moment, slightly taken aback, before nodding and following him into the shop. She couldn’t help but think about how seriously they took their security.

“Good morning!” Sophie called out cheerfully to Helen, who responded from the back room. “Alright, well, I’m going to get to work now. Thanks again for the ride. Uh, will you pick me up from work later, or should I find a ride?” she asked, feeling a bit awkward.

Kyle gave her a puzzled look just as Levi stepped into the shop. “We’re staying,” Kyle stated firmly, moving through the shop towards a back table. Sophie noticed a laptop bag slung over his shoulder, and Levi carried one as well. She blinked at them, unsure of what to make of their sudden commitment to her safety.

“Uh, what’s going on? I thought we were going to start training,” Sophie said, confusion evident in her voice.

“I know. We were, but plans changed. We’re going shopping instead. You need clothes. Then we’ll train,” Madison explained, linking her arm through Sophie’s.

“But I don’t have any money,” Sophie whispered, a hint of panic creeping into her voice.

Madison simply pulled something from her pocket, flashing a sleek black card at Sophie. “This is Torin’s black card,” she said with a grin that could light up the darkest room. “Unlimited budget, so let’s go!”

Sophie felt a mix of disbelief and excitement as Madison began to pull her towards the entrance, with Kyle and Levi trailing behind. She wasn’t sure how to feel about this unexpected turn of events, but Madison’s joy was contagious, and she didn’t want to dampen it.

As they entered the first store, Madison’s energy was palpable. “Alright! We have an entire wardrobe to build. Let’s start with the basics and go from there,” she declared, her eyes gleaming with determination.

“I don’t know about this. I can’t spend Torin’s money,” Sophie protested, feeling a knot form in her stomach at the thought of using someone else’s wealth.

But Madison was already in motion, a whirlwind of fashion and enthusiasm. “What size are you?” she asked, not even pausing for a response.

“I’m not telling you,” Sophie replied, stubbornly crossing her arms.

But Madison was undeterred, her excitement propelling her forward. Soon, she had a towering stack of clothes in her arms and was heading towards the dressing room. “Let’s go!” she called over her shoulder, and Sophie followed, her mind racing with how she had found herself in this whirlwind of shopping and unexpected generosity.