Seeing his mate in tears brought a whole new level of pain to Rhett's heart. And knowing that he might've been the cause of it, made it even more jarring.
They couldn't go on like this. She needed to learn how to confide in him, and he in her. So he'd decided there and then to discuss things with her. A way forward.
He rushed to her side, embracing her gently. He felt her body tremble with sobs, but soon she began catching her breath. The mate bond allowed him to feel her relaxing under his hold. The feeling of having her under his protection was soothing, to say the least.