I Ran From My Psycho Step-brother Straight Into The Alpha's Lap novel Chapter 77

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

It wasn’t long before Sophie found her peaceful slumber disrupted by a series of unsettling dreams that left her feeling restless. Night after night, she was haunted by visions of ferocious wolves attacking her, and the terrifying thought of being kidnapped lingered in her mind. Thankfully, none of these dreams jolted her awake with screams echoing through the dark; nonetheless, the night felt interminable. As dawn approached, she was grateful for the opportunity to rise early and engage in a workout with Madison, a routine that always helped clear her mind.

With a sense of urgency, she quickly slipped into her workout clothes and made her way down to the basement. The absence of Torin and the other guys was a relief; she preferred the solitude of her training without their watchful eyes. Upon arriving in the basement, she was taken aback to find Kyle already there, chatting animatedly with Madison.

“I’ve got a proposition for you,” Madison announced, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

“What is it?” Sophie inquired, curiosity piqued.

“Well, every month, the pack organizes a fight night on the last Friday of the month. That’s next Friday,” she explained. “I think you should participate.”

Sophie blinked in surprise. “Who fights?” she asked, trying to wrap her head around the idea.

Madison shrugged nonchalantly. “Anyone who wants to! Everyone shows up at six p.m. If you’re interested in fighting, you simply sign up. Torin assigns the matchups based on size, build, and skill level. The night culminates in the best fight, which usually features someone going head-to-head with Torin himself. The regular contenders are Max and Liam, or one of the other enforcers, but sometimes they forfeit their spots to let someone else have a shot. Kyle’s done it several times. I got to do it once,” she added, her grin widening.

“How did that go?” Sophie asked, intrigued.

Madison chuckled, reminiscing. “Oh, he let me land a couple of swings before pinning me in five seconds flat! But hey, at least I got the chance to try.”

Sophie couldn’t help but smile at the thought. “It sounds like a lot of fun. Just to clarify, you don’t fight in your wolf form, right?”

“Nope! If you shift, you forfeit immediately. We actually have training for fighting in our wolf forms too, but fight night is strictly for human form,” Madison clarified.

“I don’t know,” Sophie admitted, her uncertainty creeping in. “I’ve only ever sparred with you.”

“I know,” Madison replied, a determined look crossing her face. “That’s precisely why I brought Kyle today. You’re going to spar with him for the next few days to prepare for next Friday night.”

Sophie turned to Kyle, who flashed her an encouraging grin. “He’s going to decimate me, isn’t he?” she asked Madison, a grimace forming on her face.

“Yep, but it will be good for you,” Madison said, her tone unwavering.

“Oh boy. Whenever someone says something is good for you, it usually means it’s going to be terrible,” Sophie remarked, cringing at the thought. Madison’s laughter echoed in the basement, lightening the mood.

Without wasting another moment, Madison initiated the warm-up exercises, and soon it was time for Sophie to face Kyle. For the next two hours, he dedicated himself to training her, pushing her limits and helping her grow stronger. By the end of their session, Sophie felt utterly exhausted but accomplished.

After lunch, she found herself reaching for her phone, contemplating whether to call Amy. It had been too long since she had checked in on her friend and Olivia. Scrolling through her contacts, she finally located Amy’s number. When her call went unanswered, Sophie decided to leave a heartfelt message.

“Hey, Amy, it’s Sophie. I’m really sorry for being such a terrible friend. I’ve basically vanished from your lives, and I feel awful about it. I just wanted to see how you and Olivia are doing. I’d love to catch up and maybe meet up sometime soon, if that’s okay with you. I really hope to hear from you. Bye.” She hung up, placing her phone down with a mix of hope and anxiety. Would Amy hold a grudge for her sudden absence? Sophie wished to mend their friendship, to reignite the connection they once shared.

Hours later, her phone chimed with a call from Amy. “Hey, Sophie!” Amy’s voice came through, warm and welcoming, easing Sophie’s apprehension.

“It’s so good to hear your voice. Please don’t apologize. Life happens; I get it. Olivia and I are doing really well. Torin helped us settle into an amazing apartment, and he arranged childcare for Olivia. He even offered me a job as a secretary at his firm! I can’t believe everything he’s done for us,” Amy shared, her voice trembling with emotion.

“You can do it, Sophie,” Madison encouraged, her confidence unwavering.

Kyle joined them, sitting down beside Sophie. “You’re more than ready, and it would be good for you,” he added.

“But what?” Sophie pressed, sensing there was more to his words.

Kyle shrugged, his expression serious. “I’m just not sure how Torin is going to take it. He might lose it.”

“Why would you say that?” Madison countered, her brow furrowing. “He lets all the females fight.”

“Yeah, but the women who fight are all shifters with shifter speed and strength. Sophie’s human. And you’ve seen how protective he is of her,” Kyle explained, concern lacing his tone.

“All the more reason to do it then,” Sophie declared, determination rising within her. Kyle and Madison turned to her, surprise evident in their expressions. “I don’t want him to worry about me all the time. I want him to know I can handle myself in a fight. Maybe it’s time to show him that.”

Madison erupted with excitement. “Yeah, girl! That’s the spirit!” Sophie laughed, feeling a surge of adrenaline as Kyle pulled Madison close, beaming with pride.

“Tonight!” Madison cheered.

“Tonight,” Sophie echoed, her voice steady with newfound confidence. The hours dragged on as anticipation built within her, until finally, Friday evening arrived. A knock on her door startled her from her thoughts.

“Are you ready?” Madison called out, her voice bright and eager, cutting through the tension in the air.