Bella's eyes widened in shock as she stared up at Asher. "You're my mate?" she repeated, her voice barely above a whisper.
Asher nodded, his eyes locked onto hers. "Yes, I'm sure of it," he said, his voice filled with conviction.
Bella's mind was reeling. She had always known that she would find her mate one day, but she had never expected it to be the Alpha. Especially the alpha of the most powerful pack.
"How do you know?" Bella asked, trying to process everything.
Asher's face softened. "I've been feeling the connection between us sincei met you," he said. "The way my heart beats for you, the way my wolf responds to your presence. I know it's you, Bella."
Bella felt a mix of emotions: happiness, excitement, and a dash of fear. She was happy to have found her mate, but she was also scared. What if she didn't get her wolf on time? What if she wasn't a good mate for him?
And then there was the other fear, the one she couldn't shake off. What if Asher found out she didn't have a wolf? Would he still want her as his mate?
"Asher, I'm...I'm happy that you're my mate," Bella said, her voice hesitant.
Asher's face lit up with a smile. "I'm happy too, Bella," he said, his voice filled with warmth. "We'll face everything together, okay?"
Bella nodded, feeling a sense of relief. But she knew she couldn't keep her secret hidden for long. She would have to tell him about her condition, and soon.
"Asher, I...I have something to tell you," Bella said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Asher's expression turned serious. "What is it, Bella?" he asked, his eyes locked onto hers.
Bella took a deep breath, but the words got stuck in her throat. She couldn't bring herself to tell him, not yet. Maybe later, when she knew him better. Maybe later, when she was sure he would still want her.
For now, she just smiled and let him pull her into a gentle hug. "Let's just enjoy this moment, okay?" she said, trying to sound carefree.
Asher nodded, holding her close. "Okay, my mate," he said, his voice filled with affection.
Bella felt a sense of peace wash over her, but she knew it was temporary. She would have to face her fears soon, and tell Asher the truth about her condition.
Bella and Asher were sitting on a bench, chatting about their favorite books and hobbies. Bella was laughing at Asher's humorous anecdotes when her phone suddenly rang. She glanced at the screen and saw Naomi's name flashing.
"Excuse me, Asher, I need to take this," Bella said, answering the call.
"Hey, Naomi, what's up?" Bella asked, trying to sound casual.
"Hey, girl, where are you?" Naomi's voice was laced with concern. "Your parents have been looking all over for you. They called me asking if I'm woth you saying you weren't at home when they got back from parol ."
Bella hesitated for a moment before responding. "Oh, I...uh...I was just out for a walk," she said, trying to think of a plausible excuse.
Naomi's voice was skeptical, but she played along. "Okay, well, can you make up something better than that? Like, tell them you were on your way home or something? I already told them that you were on your way."
Bella nodded, even though Naomi couldn't see her. "Yeah, sure. I'll tell them I was on my way home. Thanks, Naomi."
Asher's eyes were on her, curious about the conversation. Bella smiled apologetically "I have to go" she said to him.
Asher's expression turned disappointed, but he stood up nonetheless. "I'll walk you home," he said, his voice gentle.
Bella nodded, feeling a pang of sadness. She didn't want to leave Asher's side, but she knew she had to get back home.
As they walked,when they got to her pack gate, Asher turned to her. "We'll meet again soon, okay?" he said, his eyes locked onto hers.
Bella smiled, feeling a flutter in her chest. "Definitely," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Asher nodded, seeming to accept her agreement. "Take care, Bella," he said, his voice low and husky.
Bella smiled again before turning to leave. "You too, Asher," she said, waving goodbye.
As she walked away, she felt Asher's eyes on her, watching her go. She smiled to herself, feeling a sense of excitement and anticipation. She couldn't wait to see him again.
Bella pushed open the front door and stepped into the house, feeling a mix of emotions swirling inside her. She had just left Asher, and her mind was still reeling from their conversation. But as soon as she entered the living room, she was bombarded with questions from her parents.
"Bella, where have you been?" her mother exclaimed, her voice stern.
"I'm sorry, Mom," Bella apologized, trying to placate her. "I got held up."
"By what?" her father asked, "You know you don't have your wolf and its dangerous outside."
Bella hesitated, unsure of how to explain everything that had happened with Asher. She didn't know how to tell her parents that she had found her mate, or that he was the alpha of the most powerful pack She didn't know where to start.
"I'm sorry, Mom and Dad," she repeated, feeling frustrated and overwhelmed. "I'll try to be more careful next time."
Her parents exchanged a look, and her mother's stern voice said. "Bella, you need to be more responsible."
Bella nodded, feeling a sense of frustration over her. "I know, Mom."
With that, she made a hasty retreat to her room, feeling like she was escaping an interrogation. As she closed the door behind her, she let out a sigh of relief.
Just as she was about to collapse onto her bed, her phone rang. It was Naomi.
"Bella! Spill!" Naomi's voice was excited and demanding. "What happened with Alpha Asher today? Don't think you can get away without telling me!"
Bella couldn't help but smile. Naomi always knew how to make her feel better. "Naomi, it's...it's a lot to explain," she said, feeling a sense of trepidation.
"Try me," Naomi said, her voice full of enthusiasm. "I've been dying to know what's been going on between you two. Come on, Bella, dish!"
Bella took a deep breath, feeling a sense of anticipation. Maybe talking to Naomi would help her figure out how to tell her parents everything. "Okay, okay," she said, settling onto her bed. "But you have to promise not to freak out."
Bella's phone pressed to her ear as she began to recount every detail of her encounter with Asher. "Okay, so I was talking to Asher, and he just dropped this bombshell on me," she said, her voice filled with a mix of excitement and disbelief.
Naomi's voice was eager on the other end of the line. "What did he say? Spill the tea, Bella!"
Bella took a deep breath, reliving the moment. "He told me that he's my mate," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
There was a pause on the other end of the line, followed by a squeal of excitement. "No way! Oh my gosh, Bella, that's amazing!"
Bella couldn't help but laugh at Naomi's enthusiasm. "I know, right? I was totally caught off guard. But the best part is...he kissed me," she said, her voice filled with a dreamy tone.
Naomi's voice turned into a squeal again. "What?! Details, Bella! I need details!"
Bella giggled, feeling a flush rise to her cheeks. "It was...magical. He pulled me close and just...claimed my lips. It was like the whole world melted away, and all that mattered was us."
Naomi's tone turned romantic. "Aww, that sounds so perfect, Bella. I'm beyond happy for you. You deserve it."
Bella smiled, feeling a sense of happiness wash over her. "Thanks, Naomi. I'm still on cloud nine. I don't know what the future holds, but for now, I'm just going to enjoy this feeling."
Naomi's voice was filled with excitement. "You should! You're mated to the Alpha, Bella. Your life is about to get a whole lot more interesting."
Bella laughed, feeling a sense of anticipation. "I know, right? But I'm ready for whatever comes next. As long as Asher is by my side, I feel like I can handle anything."
But the weird thing is, he didn't try to mark me or anything. He just said he knew we were mates and that he'd been feeling the connection between us."
Naomi's tone turned thoughtful. "That's so sweet, Bella. He's really into you, huh?"
Bella smiled, feeling a flutter in her chest. "Yeah, I think so. And the craziest part is, I feel it too. Like, I feel this deep connection to him that I've never felt with anyone before."
Naomi's voice was filled with excitement. "This is so romantic, Bella! I'm beyond happy for you. You're going to make an amazing Luna!"
Bella's face grew warm with happiness. "Thanks, Naomi. I'm just...I'm still trying to wrap my head around everything. It's a lot to take in."
Naomi's tone turned serious. "I know, but you'll figure it out. You're strong and capable, and Asher seems like a great guy. You two will make it work."
Bella nodded, feeling a sense of gratitude towards her friend. "Thanks, Naomi. Just talking to you makes me feel better."
Naomi's voice was filled with warmth. "Anytime, Bella. That's what friends are for."
Bella glanced at her clock, realizing that the conversation had gone on for a while. "Naomi, I think I'm going to go to bed now," she said, stifling a yawn.
"Okay, goodnight, Bella," Naomi replied, her voice soft.
But before Bella could hang up, she added one more thing. "Naomi, can I ask you something?"
"Yeah, what's up?" Naomi asked, her voice curious.
"Please don't tell Dylan about Asher and me being mates," Bella said, her voice serious. "I want to tell him myself."
Naomi's tone turned slightly confused. "Okay...but why don't you want him to know? He's your best friend, right? And I'm sure he'll be happy for you"
Bella hesitated for a moment before responding. "Just...just keep it a secret for now, okay?"
Naomi's voice was agreeable, despite her confusion. "Okay, Bella. I won't say anything."
Bella smiled, feeling a sense of relief. "Thanks, Naomi. Goodnight, I'll see you in school tomorrow."
"Goodnight, Bella," Naomi replied, her voice soft. "Do you think Asher will come see you in school tomorrow?"
Bella chuckled. "You know he's an Alpha, right? He has duties and responsibilities. I'm not sure if he'll school come tomorrow, but i hope he does."
Naomi's tone turned thoughtful. "Yeah,I bet you do,and I guess you're right. I'll see you tomorrow, Bella."
"Goodnight, Naomi," Bella said, smiling as she hung up the phone.