"You've been patient with me," she began, toying restlessly with a cloth napkin as the Alpha regarded her with that piercing stare from across the intimate table setting. "More patient than I probably deserve, after everything."

Ryker was silent for a beat, then reached over to still her anxious hands with one of his own. The calloused pad of his thumb stroked over her knuckles in a soothing caress.

"I could never be anything but patient with you, my mate," he rumbled, his deep timbre sending delicious shivers down her spine. "Not when it comes to matters forged in such pain and turmoil."

Aria felt her cheeks flush beneath the...