Bella could feel her heart racing in her chest, and her mind grew muddled with questions. She had to know, needed to address the feeling that had been pulling at her since they met, plus the crazy dream that she had. Gathering her courage, she took a deep breath, her voice barely a whisper.
“Asher… I have a question.”
His hands slowed for just a moment before he resumed, his voice low and inviting. “Go ahead.”
She hesitated, swallowing hard, but pressed on. “Are we… Are we mates?”
For a second, his fingers paused, his silence heavy. Then, with a sigh, he continued to run his hands along her shoulders, the warmth of his touch easing her tension. “There’s a strong possibility, yes. But unfortunately…” He hesitated, his voice tinged with a sadness she didn’t expect, “I can’t feel Banja, t
