Page 23 of Roommate Wanted

Another gush.

The truth was in my body, not his words.

And it was already too late.

The bed creaked beneath his bulk as his knees settled on either side of me, and he straddled my body. He pulled my head away from the pillow, staring into my eyes.

“Ah’ve been here wae yae fur two months,” he said, his voice low and soothing, almost gentle. But there was something dark beneath the calm that made my skin prickle.

“Ah wusnae sure a human could go through heat—but ye’ve proved it’s possible. That yer body was always meant tae take mine.”

He tucked a curl behind my ear, his touch tender, reverent, like I hadn’t just screamed at him.

“Ah’m sorry ye’r in pain, but we’re in this together noo. Ah willnae leave yer side.” His gold-flecked eyes locked onto mine.“Not‘til I’ve seen yae through every last wave of it.”

His voice didn’t rise, didn’t waver. That terrified me more than if he’d shouted.

All I could do was stare at him in horror.

Two months?

What had he been doing all that time?

Chapter 13

Lyall

This wasn’t how I imagined her first time, and it sure as hell wasn’t how she deserved it. But This.

This was the calamity I’d tried so hard to steer her gently away from. After I told her she couldn't leave the apartment for her comfort and safety, she insisted on going back to her room. It didn't surprise me when she slammed it shut and locked the door.

I dialled Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum.

“Put me on loudspeaker,” I barked as soon as one of them answered.

“Aye, we cun hear ye,” Callum said.

“Ah need yae both tae move in next door. Ewan, I need yae outside her flat windae. Callum yae stand guard at mah door. Yae can rotate if yae get bored, but she cannae leave the building.”

“Aye, Alpha,” they chorused.

“Ah, triggered her heat, but she rejected me,” I added quietly.

“Aww, naw,” one of them muttered. “Shite,” the other said under his breath.

“If she’s in heat, then—”

“Ah ken,” I snapped at Callum. “That's why I need yoo two numpties ower ‘ere.”

“Be there in fifteen minutes. Anyhin’ else?” Ewan asked in a low and sombre voice.

A soft, broken sob leaked through the wall, and I closed my eyes.

“Naw.” I hung up.

I stood outside her door. One push. That’s all it would take to shatter that pathetic lock and take what was mine.

But this was her war now. Let the pain teach her what I already knew—there was no outrunning this bond.