Aria’s POV)

The air in Kaelen’s kingdom felt different. Cleaner. Sharper. Every inhale burned faintly with pine and iron, a reminder that this was no longer Damien’s worn lands but a place carved in strength and discipline. His fortress loomed high above us, a citadel of stone and black steel, guarded by warriors whose golden insignias shimmered under the sun. Wolves moved in patrols with military precision, every step in rhythm.

It was a world ordered, unyielding, merciless.

And into ...