Page 55 of Roommate Wanted
I handed the phone back, feeling rather pleased with myself.
“She likes you,” Nia said after she hung up.
“What can ah say?” I said with a shrug.“It’s the Wulver charm.”
She looked at me as if I were both a miracle and a nightmare.“I cannot believe you just talked down my mum. Like it was nothing.”
“Did yae expect any less?” I tugged her into my arms, whispering into her ear,“Ah telt yae no one messes with yae.”
She smiled as she looked at me.
This time, she believed me.
Chapter 30
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 rooflinestretched so far I couldn’t tell where the house ended and the forest began.
I stepped out of the car and just stared.
