Chapter 153

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 had its own kind of beauty.

The bright sunshine lifted my spirits a little. It had been so long since I had seen a day this clear, and for a moment, I let myself believe that things would be okay.