31. End You Myself (Luke POV)

I was drenched in sweat, my heart still pounding from the exhilarating run. But man, I felt alive like no chemical concoction had ever made me feel. The world had sharper edges, brighter colors, and Clay was beside me.

The drugs never stood a chance.

We returned to the treehouse, our spirits high. Lexi looked at us, a smile forming as if she knew just how transformative that run had been for us.

"Do you want a ride back?" Clay asked her. "The house is a bit of a trek from here."

"Do we have to cross the river again?" Lexi questioned, raising an eyebrow.

Clay laughed, a hearty sound that filled the air. "Yeah, but we'll take the bridge this time. He has a thing for swimming when shifted. Me? Not so much."

Lexi agreed and then climbed onto Clay's back after he shifted, and I couldn't help but notice how natural it looked, like she belonged there.

This time, we moved at a gentler pace, unlike my earlier frantic sprint that had Lexi clinging onto me for dear life. Now, she seemed comforta