***BLAKE***
The house felt too quiet when I pushed the iron door open. Hot air hit my face and I paused, catching my breath. Tricia sat on the couch, all folded into herself. Her eyes were defined by small slits of pain; her face had the tiredness of someone who had stopped hoping. She looked at me like I was a stranger.
Ryker had followed me inside a few steps and then stayed back. He thucked his knuckles into his pockets like a man who wanted to do something and didn't know how. He said nothing. I didn't want him to. But then, he finally spoke after a few seconds of silence.
“Blake, you're being too hard on her. She's your wife.” His voice held that rare, soft edge he only used with me since he swore as my beta.
Anger rose in me like a hot tide. My jaw tightened. “She'll keep get
