Noah's POV
When there's too much going on—when my head's a mess and my thoughts are a jumbled knot of dread and doubt—I run.
Not from the problem, exactly. Just away from the noise.
Running helps Finnian settle. Helps her remind me that some things are still simple. That the feel of cool earth beneath her paws and the scent of rabbits hiding underground are constants. That the wind through her fur will always feel like freedom. That she still knows how to be wild even if I forget how.
But lately… even that doesn't help.
Because how do you run away from something that's everywhere?
When I jog or drive to work, I pass Shepherds patrolling the streets with eyes like x-rays and hands resting too comfortably on the hilts of their swords. I'm always reminded that the swords only look so imposing because of the Virilite guns beside them.
