Page 29 of Traveler (Soulbound #1)
Aly
Family Day . The words hung over my head like an ominous cloud as I stared out the dorm window, watching the courtyard buzz with activity. Parents, siblings, cousins—all the usual suspects were arriving in droves. Hugs, laughter, and excited chatter filled the air.
And soon, my family—the family I did n’ t even know existed a few months ago—would be here too.
I shifted uncomfortably, tugging at the hem of my academy-issued jacket. What if they did n’ t like me ?
A knock at the door made me jump. Vivianne, poked her head in, her face split into a grin. “ You ready? Pretty sure the y’ re down at the entrance waiting for You.”
“ Waiting for me?” My voice cracked slightly, and I cleared my throat to cover it. “ Are You sure? What if they don't like me... maybe You should just go ahead and-”
Vivianne snorted. “ Not happening, they are here for both of us. Stop stalling and common. Yo u’ re gonna be fine.”
I grabbed my bag and trudged toward the door, my nerves building with each step down the winding halls. By the time I reached the front entrance, I could feel my palms slick with sweat.
Then I saw them.
They stood off to the side, looking around like everyone was trying to spot us first. Deep breath Aly You can do this. My uncle was the first I noticed—tall and broad-shouldered, wearing a worn leather jacket that screamed Next to him was Vivianne’s brother, shifting awkwardly from foot to foot, his hands jammed in his pockets. And then there were my grandparents. My grandmother stood with a serene smile, her silver hair shining in the sunlight, while my grandfather’s. Stood slightly behind her my aunt gonna was talking to the four of them her mates stood close by.
I froze in place.
They had n’ t seen me yet, but my heart was already pounding like a drum. What if this was a mistake? What if I’ m not what they expected? I mean this family was huge Aunt gonna had three mates herself Grandma Joyce had 3. So, like tons of people.
“ Hey, kiddo!” My uncl e’ s voice boomed through the courtyard, snapping me out of my spiral. He waved, grinning at Vivianne. His eyes slid to me, and he freezes.
Grandma Joyce looks to where Uncle Ander is staring and her face lights up, and before I could blink, she was bustling toward me with open arms. “ Oh, look at You,” she said, pulling me into a warm hug that smelled faintly of lavender. “ You look so much like Your mom” a tear escapes her eye. She brushes it away pulling me further into the group.
Callum Vivianne’s brother shuffled up next, offering a sheepish grin. “ Hey,” he mumbled. “ It’s, nice to meet You, I guess.”
“ I t’ s Nice to meet You.” I replied, my voice unsteady.
Aunt Genna introduces me to my grandpa’s George, Alan, and victor. Each pull me into a tight hug and smile. “It’s so good to have You here, after Your mom… well, it was hard not being able to say goodbye. But knowing she was happy and had You. Well, that makes it a little easier.” Grandpa Alan says squeezing me a little tighter.
Ander my mom’s younger brother stands behind the group just watching. Pain lacing his face. I step closer to him to introduce myself. But before I get the chance, he yanks me into a hug. His shoulders shake before pulling back enough to look at me his eyebrows furrowed. “I’m so sorry about Sarah. But I’m glad Your home now.” He says softly a small smile appearing before he pulls me back in. “If You need anything, anything at all. You call me.”
We all spend the next hour getting to know each other. Vivianne says hi to her other mom and dads. Before making her way to torment her brother. They share stories about my mom’s childhood and ask me questions about mine. Out of the corner of my eye I see Alex and Jared walking over with their family. Before they make it over to us, I open my bag and pull out a family photo I found in the box under moms’ bed and hand it to my grandma.
She takes it with shaking hands. Sobs wracking her body before coming to me and hugging me tightly. “We are all so glad You are here. “
“I heard You’re building quite the harem.“ Ander says smirking an eyebrow cocking at the approaching group. I blush turning to look at the guys. I smile and wave them over Jared’s mom and dads as well as his sister come over large smiles plastered on all of their faces, except… uh oh. Jesse the older of the two has her eyes firmly planted on a blushing Callum. Vivianne’s eyes narrow briefly before I elbow her in the side.
Be nice. I hiss in her mind.
‘ He’s too Young to date she can keep her eyes off of him.’ She snaps.
‘ He’s 17 and so is she. They are just looking at each other. Not proposing marriage or trying to form a mate bond.’ Rolling my eyes I glance at Callum
‘She is going to break his heart. Besides she’s a twin if he’s looking at her, he’s looking at Juliet.’ She grinds.
‘Jared is a twin. I have no interest in Xan.’ She doesn’t respond. Poor kids.
‘ Be careful, your sister looks ready to punch Jessa and Juliet in the face. ‘
His eyes blow wide for a second his eyes finding me before melting briefly. ‘Jessa. she’s stunning.’
‘Yeah yeah, don’t forget three of her brothers are also here.’ I snark a smirk falling to my lips.
“Hey pretty girl. This is our mom, Arianna. And our dads Steven James and Matt.” Jared points to all of his parents.
Arianna pulls me into a hug before whispering “Thank You, Jared and Alex have been inseparable since they started walking and we were worried they would be separated if they mated.”
I huff a laugh hugging her back. “To be fair I didn’t really do anything. The goddess did. But You raised amazing men. Including Xander, he’s been a breath of fresh air.”
“Hey, rude. I’ve been taking care of your crazy self since You got here.” Vivianne huffs crossing her arms.
“ My crazy self? As in you’re sane?” I laugh.
“Okay so I have a bit of an attitude problem. But if You didn’t want sarcastic answers, you really shouldn’t ask stupid questions all the time.” She says completely exasperated.
We all laugh and soon Elliot and his mom Marissa have made their way over. His little sister marina who is 6 is so adorable. We make our introductions. And eventually all of my mates have made their way over here. All but one. The guys told me about Carion’s dad. And since then, I can’t get it out of my mind. Looking around I try to find him, but cant.
We spend the day playing games and getting to know each other. By the end of it all we all feel like one big family. And when I say big, I mean BIG there are a total of thirty of us when You count me and my mates, plus our families. Saul and Barrett didn’t even bring their families and the more I think about it the more I realize it’s likely we end up with close to 50 people in our family. But it’s worth it, I can’t remember the last time I smiled and laughed like this.
We all line up to take a huge group photo. Me and my mates in the center our families surrounding us. right as Maddie Kale’s friend goes to take the photo, we are all posed and about to say cheese. Fuck me sideways. The pulling in my chest strengthens and my face drops.
“Uh, girl You’re supposed to smile for a photo.” Maddie says smiling here eyebrows have hit her hairline.
A bolt of pain slams into me, stealing my breath. My knees buckle, and Vin's arm is the only thing that keeps me upright. "Aly? What's wrong?"
The pain fades, then returns with shattering force. Carion . I try to open the bond, to understand what's happening, but the agony is like a living thing, writhing and lashing out. I can't—I have to find him.
Without thinking, I tear myself from Vin's grasp and bolt toward the gap between the buildings, my powers flaring to life. Shouts echo behind me, my family and mates calling my name, but the pull is a vice around my heart. I have to get to him. Need to get to him.
When I skid to a halt in the alley, the sight that greets me twists my stomach into knots. Carion is on his knees, his back a charred mess of blisters and blood. A man stands over him, face contorted in fury as he rains down blows of fire. Rage consumes me, and before I can stop it, tendrils of purple magic lash out, slamming into both of them.
The man collapses, convulsing, while Carion hunches forward, the arc of energy still tethering them together. I rush to his side, my hands hovering uselessly. "Carion—oh gods, Carion, what happened?"
He looks up, eyes wild. "Aly, you have to run—"
Footsteps echo, and a black van peels into the alley, its tires screeching. Two men burst out, their faces obscured by masks, and reach for me with gloved hands.
I try to summon my fire, to fight back, but I used too much magic… I don't have enough energy… One of the men grabs me, their grip like iron, and the world lurches as they drag me toward the van.
Carion screams , straining against the energy still binding him to the other man. "ALY! NO!"
The doors slam shut, cutting off his voice. I thrash, but the men hold me fast, a damp cloth pressed over my mouth and nose. Panic claws at my throat, and as the world starts to fade, I hear a voice Familiar voice murmur, "Sweet dreams, Traveler."
Then nothing.