Page 13 of Traveler (Soulbound #1)

Aly

The next few days go by without anything crazy happening. I was supposed to go to Saul’s house for dinner yesterday, but he had a last-minute staff meeting and had to cancel. Xander was still trying to pretend I didn’t exist. Jerk. I still didn’t know what his problem was, but I also didn’t have the time or energy to figure it out. He can pull his head out of his ass whenever, but I won’t be doing it for him .

Today was my first Saturday at the academy and I wanted to go wonder around for a bit. There was so much of the campus I hadn’t seen. Vivianne had told me about a cafe near the dinner hall and honestly, I could go for a latte. Making my way out of my room I’m looking down at my tablet responding to the group chat with Saul and Barrett when I slam right into someone toppling both of us.

“Umph.” The person below me grabs my hip and rolls me to the side caving in on himself. Full fetal position. Looking down I notice my knee is still firmly lodged between his legs.

“Oh my god! are You okay?” I reach my hands out not sure if I should try to help him or not.

Cruel joke-6 Aly -1 this average is not getting any better....

He sticks his hand in the air waving me off “I’m good, I’m good. “He wheezes moving to his knees.

“God, I’m so sorry! I wasn’t paying attention and I- “

“You’re fine, it was an accident.” He mumbles still folded in half. After a minuet he sit’s up eyes closed taking a deep breath. When he opens them, he smiles

Oh no, the weird pull I get when my mates are near Is currently rushing through me full force. Now that he’s no longer writhing in pain, I’m able to feel it. I just kneed my mate in the balls! My mate! Is this a bad time to add another tally to the cruel joke tally? Maybe I'll just add it to number 6? Way to fuck this up before it starts Alyssa.

His eyes fly wide the smile dropping from his face. “What-“ I start to ask but I’m currently being scooped up and pulled into the biggest bear hug.

“Uh- Hi?” I mutter pulling my head back to get a good look at my newest mate. his dark hair looked like it was a little messy, like h e’ d just rolled out of bed and did n’ t care. His green eyes were rich, deep, and full of shock. Even though he was still on the floor with me I could tell he was tall, like Really Tall. He’s not overly buff but built enough that he doesn’t look lanky.

Like he just realized he had grabbed me he stands keeping hold of my hands to pull me to my feet. “Hi, I’m Alex” he says his voice calm and sultry. Hello wet dream.

“Alyssa” I say pointing at my door. “I’m so sorry again I was just Heading out I really didn’t see You.”

“Feel free to run into me whenever You want sweetheart.” A smirk plays on his face.

God this man is sex on a stick and trying to get ahold of the bond and my hormones is not easy “Do You have time for coffee? Maybe I can buy You a drink as a sorry?”

“I’ve got time. But I don't know about You buying. We can talk about it.” He laughs grabbing my Hand and pulls me down the hall. Pulling out my tablet I shoot off a text to the guys

A laugh escapes me in case anyone was wondering this is the best example of my mate’s personalities I’ve ever seen. “What’s Your last name?” I ask Alex

He glances down at my tablet understanding dawning on his face. “Danvers.” He says

“So how many mates do You have? “Alex asks a slight laugh to his voice.

“Right now, there are three of you.”

“Do You think that will be it?” His voice doesn’t hold any contempt just curiosity.

“Uh- no. there will be seven.” I say Sheepishly God this is so uncomfortable. Having to tell my many boyfriends? That there are going to be more of them is so weird. But Alex takes it in stride nodding his head.

We walk into the cafe and order our favorites. I do not get to pay. Alex decided to play dirty, by pointing outside and pulling the ‘what is that?’. It worked. When the barista is done making our drinks, we take them and walk over to a bench just outside the door.

We sat there for a moment, both of us stirring our coffees quietly. “So, you’re new right? Where are you from?” he asked, casually leaning back in his chair.

I look up from my coffee and shrugged, a slight smile tugging at my lips. “I’m from Ender. Small town. I came here for school”

“Really?” He raised an eyebrow. “I thought Your last name was James?” is that not a common last name?

I let out a nervous chuckle, shaking my head. “Yeah, it is, my mom found her mate there and so she moved. After my parents died, I decided to move closer to my mom’s family.” the lie rolls off my tongue my mouth tastes bitter. I hate to lie to him. But I have to

He tilts his head, “My parents died when I was fourteen. I’m sorry You lost them.”

He hesitated, a little flicker of something crossing his face. “Are you settling in all right. I bet it’s overwhelming being in a new place without them.”

I smiled, letting that sit for a moment. “It’s been going well. I miss them though. It’s hard to be here, where my mom grew up, without her.”

He met my eyes, and I see the understanding flicker in his eyes. “I feel that way all the time.”

“So, did You move in with family after Your parents?” I asked, leaning forward a little.

He took a long sip of his coffee before answering, eyes shifting to look out the window. “No, none of my parent’s family wanted to take me in, I moved in with my best friend’s family. They adopted me. Honestly it was for the best. They are all the family I need.”

I nodded slowly, a smile on my face "I’m glad You had someone. Screw everyone else."

There was a brief silence as he considered my words, and then his lips twitched in a slight grin. “Life would have been very boring if gran had decided I was worth the time.”

I laughed, “Fair, I mean it would be kind of screwed up to take out all Your teenage angst on some poor old lady”

We both laugh. When we calm down, we sit there for a moment, just enjoying the ease of it all.

He takes a deep breath and looks at me out of the corner of my eye “You know we are neighbors, right?”

I couldn’t help but laugh. “Oh, so we can play tackle football more often?”

“I’m always down for a workout.” he said with a grin. My face heats as I take a drink of my coffee

The next moment, both our tablets go off. pulling them out we laugh. Barrett has added him to the group chat.

Alex is still laughing when he adds

Alex puts down his phone and holds and hand out to me. “Let’s go sweetheart. We should probably get out of the sun.”

***

Opening the door to the hallway, I realize I forgot my tablet on my desk. I rush over to grab it and turn to shut and lock the door.

Vivianne is leaning against the wall next to the door. “ Are You ready?” she asked, practically rolling her eyes. “We are going to be late to class.”

I smiled, though part of me wanted to smack her. “I’m ready,” I said, grabbing my bag and slinging it over my shoulder. “But we’re not going to be late We have an hour before class.” Locking the door, I turn to look around the hall, glancing at Vivianne. “Did You see Alex yet?” I whisper.

Vivianne’s eyes sparkled mischievously. “You mean the guy who lives right next door? No, I haven't. Although I'm sure if You knock on the door. You'll be able to see if he's home.... You know like a normal person?” She says all too loudly. Fuck

I rolled my eyes. “Fine. I'll knock.” I raise my hand to knock on the door when it swings open what I think is Xander is standing in the doorway. The bond snapping into place almost immediately. That’s not possible me and Xander don’t have a bond at least not one like that. Oh. My. Gods. He’s a twin. “Oh, you’ve got to be fucking kidding me!“ I practically shout in his face. Vivianne of course drops to the floor laughing. Oh, she totally knew, didn’t she?

Whirling around I point a finger at her “You and I will discuss this later.” This of course only makes her laugh harder.

The man clears his throat. Raising his eyebrow. “Can I help You?” My mouth drops.

“Well- I- uh. I was knocking to see if Alex was here.” I finally. Get the words out. A look of confusion crosses his face....

“Alex? Uh- sure one second.” He pushes the door open more turning his head “Hey Alex, there is someone here to see You.”

Alex appears over the man’s shoulder. “Aly! This is my best friend I was telling You about, Jared. And Jared this is my mate, Alyssa. “A proud smile on his face until he notices both of us are still frozen staring at each other. “What’s wrong?” He asks

“Oh! I’d be happy to give You a play by play. Aly knocked to ask if You wanted to grab coffee with us and walk to class but then Bam Jared here opens the door and they both freeze for a second before Aly loses her mind and all but screams in Jared’s face that he has to be ‘fucking joking’ “Vivianne’s smile only makes me consider shaving her head in her sleep that much more. It’s on.

“Wait, so… You two are...”

“Mates yep. Now that we are all on the same page lets go get coffee. Jared You too.” Vivianne says before turning and walking down the hall.

We all kind of just stare after her before we all move at once in silence. Seriously a mate a day is exhausting I just found Alex yesterday You’d think the gods would give me a break.... famous last words.

We all walk in silence to the cafe and order when we turn to sit down, I see Xander sitting with a man on the couch. They look adorable. I want to offer to have him come sit with us but after the freak out about him thinking I thought he was jarred which is totally valid without the bond I would totally think they were the same person. I don't know what their relationship is like, and I don’t want to make him uncomfortable.

Apparently, I’m staring to long because when I look back over, I see jarred is glaring at me. “What- is there an issue with a man sitting with his boyfriend?” Jared spits. Clearly misunderstanding. Men, shoot first and ask questions later. Cue eyeroll.

“No, but they do have a kin bond and he’s been ignoring her so she’s wondering if it’s because he thought she thought he was You or if it’s because he shy about having a boyfriend. Or if he thought she was hitting on him,” A deep voice says from somewhere behind me. Barrett. He scoops me up from where I’m standing and sits down on a couch with me in his lap.

“I have no issue with Your brother being gay. This week has been super confusing and I’m taking things one at a time. I would have thought You were Xander had it not been for the bond, so his concern was valid. But we have this bond and it’s pulling me to him, I was just thinking about how to approach it.” I roll my eyes.... Barrett runs his hands over my hair, forcing me to relax.

“I told You to just give him time. Obviously, you being mates with his clone will hopefully make it easier but try not to stress. It’s not good for your particular magic “Vivianne adds softly so only I can hear. Moving to sit next to me and Barrett. Jared and Alex are standing close by Jared looking properly chastised for accusing me of being a homophobe. “I- I’m sorry Alyssa, I shouldn’t have assumed. People are sometimes just awful to Xan and well- “

“You wanted to protect him. I can get that. But assuming the worst of me when You literally just met me 20 minuets ago is not cool.” I understand the need to protect his brother but I’m also not down with someone accusing me of something so horrible when they literally don't know me. Bond or not.

Jared nods in understanding “I should have asked What was going on. I’m sorry. Could I maybe take you out sometime this week? I’d like to make it up to you. Maybe explain everything?”

“Yeah, we can do that. How does tomorrow work? I don’t have anything I need to get done this weekend.”

“It works perfect. Thank you.” He says