Page 31 of Roommate Wanted (Knotty #1)

Nia

This was what they meant by rolling hills. The green mountain peaks on the journey took my breath away. The drive was long, but Lyall’s car was comfortable.

We waited a few days before leaving—long enough to prepare for the trip and for my body to stop aching. One day, we were simply walking outside, holding hands and talking as if we’d done it a million times before. The bond became less invasive and more informative. Lyall wasn't a monster, and neither was Conall.

I did some shopping, and Lyall refused to let me pay for it. Callum and Ewan didn't travel with us since we had to stop by my parents', but the bond told me Lyall was up to something.

“Beautiful, isn't it?”

he said, tightening his grip on my hand.

No matter where we were, he had to touch some part of me. My mother’s sharp eyes hadn’t missed a thing.

“Stunning. I don't know why I haven't travelled here sooner. We haven't even reached Scotland yet, and the beauty is breathtaking,”

I said with a sigh.

“So peaceful.”

“Ye’ll love the valley. Natural spaces tug at yae. Nature is where people are meant tae be. No in cinder block tiny apartments in a smog-filled city.”

I couldn't refute his words because when we stopped off for a break, the air was fresh and clean.

I looked out the window again. The green went on forever. Beautiful. Untouched. Isolated. Exactly the kind of place where no one would hear you scream.

After freeing my hand from Lyall’s, I took a picture of the countryside and sent it to Amara.

Amara: Where is that? Murderville? I can't believe you deserted me. Claire only has one target now.

Me: On my way to Scotland. Find a new job. Life is too short, my friend. X

I didn't add an emoji because I was serious. I was relieved that I didn’t need to work under that soul sucking harpy. She did everything to undermine me until I felt incompetent.

I put my hand on Lyall’s leg, and his hand covered mine without hesitation. He made the harpy stink of fish. I wish I’d thought of something so diabolical.

We sat in comfortable silence as we got closer to his home and his pack.

**

“Oh my God. You live in a mansion.”

The house was old but massive. No wonder he thought living in an apartment was an abomination.

“It’s a manor,”

he said, parking the car in front of his mansion because it was a mansion.

The towering house had tall stone pillars and arched windows that looked like they’d been watching the world for centuries. Ivy clawed up one side, wild and unbothered, and the roofline stretched so far I couldn’t tell where the house ended and the forest began.

I stepped out of the car and just stared.

“Is this where you’re going to bury me when I disappear?”

I muttered, only half joking.

“Aye, right,”

he scoffed.

“An wit am ah goin’tae do without yae?”

“Oh, look at yae. Aren't you gorgeous? Isn't she gorgeous, Finn?”

a woman said, gripping me into a bear hug while I stared helplessly at Lyall.

He grinned and shrugged his shoulders.

“Aye, she is. But yer gonna huv tae let the wee lassie breathe,”

a man said.

The man I recognised. He was Lyall’s double. Only with shorter hair, and it was a salt-and-pepper colour.

“Lovely to meet you, Mr and Mrs Macdugall,”

I said as his mother released me.

“Och. It’s Finn and Rhonda.”

Rhonda patted my cheek like I was a baby and not a grown woman she’d just bear-hugged. Her green eyes twinkled, though, and I saw the same mischief in them that lived in Lyall.

No wonder he turned out unhinged.

“She’s even prettier than yae described,”

she said, turning to Lyall and smacking his chest affectionately.

“Ye undersold her, ya wee sod.”

“He didn’t undersell me,”

I muttered under my breath, and Finn let out a bark of laughter.

“She’s got a bite tae her. Good.”

He slapped Lyall on the back.

“That’ll keep this yin in check.”

Lyall just rolled his eyes and grabbed our bags like a man used to being outnumbered.

“Come in, hen,”

Rhonda said, looping her arm through mine like we were old friends.

“We spruced the hoose up fur ye. Yer room’s ready. And don’t worry—we put extra cushions on the seats.”

My mouth fell open.

His dad started to whistle and walk away while Lyall coughed into his hand, grinning like the devil himself.

I was never going to live this down.

It didn't help that Rhonda began to tell me that we would be fucking like bunnies until we adjusted to the bond. Those weren't her exact words, but I got the gist of it.

**

They didn't stay for dinner, but Rhonda and Finn had cooked plenty of food for us. Their warmth and kindness weren't a front. I’d spent time studying them, and they were the most loved-up older couple I’d ever met.

They looked as if they were in their forties, which couldn’t be right. Not with a son Lyall’s age. But there was something…timeless about them. Finn had laughter lines, sure, and Rhonda’s hair was streaked with silver, but neither of them moved like people who creaked when they stood up. They were vibrant—alive.

Was it the mating bond?

Or maybe it was love.

The way Finn’s hand always found Rhonda’s hip. The way she leaned into his chest like it was her favourite place in the world. They were never far apart. Never distracted. It was like watching wolves in the wild—bonded, seamless, constant.

I caught myself watching them with a strange ache in my chest.

Was this how all mated couples were like? Would Lyall—

“Ye’r thinkin’ too loud,”

Lyall murmured beside me, brushing my hand with his thumb.

“Ah can feel it.”

I gave him a sidelong glance.

“Just wondering if your parents are immortal or if they drink unicorn blood for breakfast.”

He grinned.

“Neither. Just mated. Properly. It changes a lot, ye’ll see.”

“Do they have their own mansion, too?”

“It’s not a mansion.”

“How many bedrooms do you have?”

“The only one yae need tae worry about is the master bedroom.”

I chuckled as he pulled me off the couch. He scooped me up into his arms and walked to the grand hallway. Past the chandeliers and up the staircase. I traced my thumb around my teeth marks on his neck.

“When can I meet Conall?”

I asked softly.

“Tomorrow, darlin’. We can go intae the woods.”

When his chest rumbled with a low, satisfied purr, I dropped my hand from his neck to place it on his chest. The soft vibrations were soothing and addictive.

“He’s rarin’ tae meet yae too, darlin’,”

Lyall said, nudging the bedroom door open with his foot.

His bedroom was the size of my apartment. I noticed the piles of pillows. Some were in a window seat, and others were lying out strategically on the furniture. I was mortified that his mum knew about my ass situation. The thought made me drop my head on his shoulder.

“What did you tell your mum about my—butt?”

“Nothing. All I said was yer a wee bit tender an’ we would leave London in a couple of days.”

When I began muttering to myself, he lay me on the bed before climbing onto me.

We’re no human. We fuck when and however we want, darlin’. There’s nothin’ tae feel ashamed aboot,”

he said, unbuttoning my top.

“Tell my ass that,”

I mumbled.

“Yer arse stopped hurting the following day. Yae just wanted me tae pamper yae,”

he said with a chuckle.

Stupid bond, giving away all my secrets.

He spread my shirt open before he dragged my leggings down my hips.

“Ah miss yer wee grey skirt. It drove me crazy when you wore it tae work,”

he said, untying the laces on my boot.

Yes, he was crazy. And a wolf, but no one cared for me the way he did. I loved my family, but as the oldest, I was often left to look after the others and clean up after everyone. My apartment in London was my freedom.

Lyall was about to pull my boot off when his eyes flicked up to mine.

“I will always look after yae, darlin’. Ye’r mine tae love and protect until ah take ma final breath.”

I held my breath as I felt his words through the bond.

Fierce. Possessive. Tender.

The truth was right there, and for once, I didn’t flinch from it.

Maybe it was time to stop overthinking and just feel.

Okay, fine. The bond had its uses.