ARIA'S POV
The first night in the Astral Pack’s territory was restless. My mind spun with everything I had seen so far—the exiles living in those wooden cabins, the peeling paint on my so-called “hotel,” and Kieran’s warnings about staying inside after dark.
Anxiety and curiosity twisted together, keeping sleep at bay. But eventually, exhaustion won, and I drifted off, dreaming of endless deserts and shadowy figures watching me from afar.
When I finally woke up, the sunlight streaming through my window caught me by surprise. It was so bright, flooding the small room with a golden glow that made the peeling paint and creaky furniture look almost charming. I stretched, letting the warmth on my skin chase away the lingering unease from the previous day. The desert might be harsh, but it
