ARIA’S POV
I was running, running, running. Hearing Claude behind me struck me with fear and made my legs move quicker. He was so close behind me, but I kept myself from going in a straight line. Instead, I zig-zagged and ducked under branches and shrubs, which I knew would be more difficult for someone of a larger frame to bypass easily. And it seemed to be working since he hadn’t caught me yet.
I wasn’t sure how long it took a shifter to get tired, but I was already starting to feel winded. I needed to get in shape. Crushing branches behind me pulled me out of my head as I entered a clearing, looking around desperately for somewhere to hide. There was a pond that looked absolutely disgusting, muck and mud, and flying insects close to the surface. I closed my eyes for a brief moment and
