From what I know you have to make one dribble from every two steps, so does that mean you can take two steps and release the ball before the third?

For example, is this a travel?

(Bounce once as you step with left foot) then (Take no bounce but step with with right foot) then (Step with left foot no bounce) then (Step with right foot no bounce) then (Release the ball for lay up before taking the third step)

So, is this a travel?

First, for National Federation of High School (NFHS) rules it is not possible to travel during a legal dribble. This is outlined in NFHS rules 4-15 and 4-44 as well as clearly stated in NFHS casebook comment 4.15. So you could take as many steps as you want while actually dribbling.

Your example comes down to whether the dribble has ended. A dribble ends when the ball is touched with both hands at once or palmed. Then rules regarding traveling (4-44) come into play.

Hope it helps,
Steve