The Lost Queen

Chapter Eleven

Daya's P.O.V.

The moment I stepped outside, time seemed to slow. The air felt thick with tension and emotion as my gaze locked onto the couple standing before me. The woman let out a broken sob, her hand flying to her mouth as fresh tears spilled down her cheeks. Her eyes, brimming with longing, searched mine like she was trying to memorize every detail of my face.

"Allison, we looked everywhere for you," she whispered, her voice shaking.

Allison. The name felt foreign on her lips, yet something deep inside me ached at hearing it.

A lump formed in my throat, my vision blurring as I fought back the overwhelming tide of emotions crashing into me. My body moved on instinct, my legs carrying me forward until I was wrapped in the warmth of their embrace. Strong arms encircled me—two sets at once, crushing me in a desperate, trembling hug.

My parents.

My mother sobbed against my shoulder, clutching me as if she were afraid I'd slip through her fingers again. My father buried his face in my hair, his grip firm yet gentle, as though trying to convince himself that I was real.

A choked sound escaped me, something between a laugh and a sob, and I squeezed them tighter, letting the unfamiliar yet comforting scent of home surround me. For the first time in a long time, I felt like a missing piece had been placed back where it belonged.

When they finally pulled back, a new warmth pressed against my side. I turned just as a younger boy, seemed to be no older than sixteen, launched himself at me, wrapping his arms around my waist. His shoulders shook, silent tears dampening my shirt as he buried his face into my shoulder.

My brother.

Something inside me twisted painfully. How much had he missed me? How much had I missed?

I hesitated for only a moment before bringing my arms up to hold him. "Hey, it's okay," I murmured, my voice thick with emotion.

He pulled back slightly, wiping at his damp cheeks with the sleeve of his shirt before giving me a small, wobbly smile. He was studying me, as if trying to make sure I was truly standing before him. I could see traces of our parents in him—our father's sharp jawline, our mother's expressive eyes.

I returned his smile, a silent promise passing between us.

Then, another presence stepped forward—a young woman with kind eyes and a hesitant expression. I recognized her from before, standing close to my brother. His mate, I realized. She offered me a small, nervous hug, one I accepted. The gesture was sweet, and it grounded me in the moment.

I should have said something—anything—but words failed me. How could I begin to process everything? How could I bridge the gap between the life I had and the life I had lost?

Before the silence could stretch into something awkward, a familiar warmth pressed against my side. Kaden. His arm slipped around my waist, a quiet anchor in the storm of emotions. I instinctively leaned into him, letting out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding.

But then, a thought crossed my mind.

If my parents were here... why did Kaden look so upset?

"Allison, we have missed you so much. We looked everywhere but couldn't find you. We are deeply sorry," my father said, his voice thick with emotion as he reached out, his hand resting lightly on my shoulder.

I nodded, swallowing down the knot in my throat. Their sorrow was evident in their eyes, a deep longing etched into their features. It was overwhelming—this sudden realization that I had a family, people who had spent years searching for me. And yet, a part of me felt distant, unsure.