He watched her cry silently, her trembling shoulders a reflection of her fear.

The pain in her eyes mirrored his own hurt, and if she continued hurting like this, it could make her ill.

Her fragility bothered him; she was his mate, and as such, she should exude strength, not frailty.

It wasn't right that she was frightened of him. Despite others' fear, she should have been an exception. Being his mate, she ought to possess resilience. The inexplicable challenges their bond presented demanded strength, especially from her as a human of a weaker race.

"Annabelle," he murmured softly, wiping away her tears with his thumb.

The sensation of her...