Maris's POV
"Why should I bear your pain? Going to the sanctum was your choice. I had nothing to do with it."
Ethan tried to pull his hand away.
I gritted my teeth.
"You're my mate. You promised you'd always protect me. Have you forgotten?"
"I already took the whipping for you. My back still aches. Isn't that enough?"
"Ah... It hurts like hell... Ethan, are you seriously just going to watch me die? If you share even half of it, I can survive these five years! Ethan, help me, please!"
The silence stretched.
Ethan stared at me for a long beat, then said slowly, "Maris, I'm your mate. I promise I won't leave you. But..."
"You should think of me, too."
"You're already in this state, and you can't earn any more merit. But I can't stop. I still have to fight for the pack."
"If I endur
