Ethan’s POV:
I don't answer. Can't. Won't.
'Our mate is safe. That's all that matters.'
Ten lashes. Twenty. Thirty.
My vision starts to blur at the edges. The pain is everywhere now, a consuming fire that makes it hard to think, hard to breathe. Each breath feels like inhaling broken glass. The wolfsbane spreads through my system, making everything worse—turning what should be manageable pain into agony that threatens to drown me.
My muscles spasm involuntarily. Sweat pours down my face, mixing with the blood that's now running down my legs to pool at my feet.
'Use the protection spell.' Theron begs desperately. 'The one from the Academy. The shield that blocks pain and damage. Use it now before he kills us—'
"No." The word comes out as barely a whisper, lost in the sound of the wh
