Bella closed her bedroom door softly, the weight of the conversation with her parents still heavy on her heart. She sat down on her bed and a shiver ran down her spine as she tried to process it all. It felt surreal, but this was her reality now, and it terrified her.
She wrapped her arms around herself, as if trying to ward off the cold that came from within. Why now? she thought. Why is this happening just when things were starting to make sense? Her fingers lightly touched her lips, remembering the electricity she had felt when Asher kissed her. It was still fresh in her memory, as if it had just happened moments ago. And now, with the uncertainty of their future as mates hanging over her, everything felt even more intense.
A soft ping broke through her thoughts. Bella blinked, glanci
