Aria’s POV.....

By the time we reached the edge of the forest, the sun was dipping low, painting the horizon with streaks of burnt orange and violet. My legs ached from days of walking, and even Damien had finally stopped humming. The trees thinned, giving way to open meadows dotted with small wooden structures — the first sign of civilization since we’d left the royal borders.

“This must be the Pinehaven Pack,” Kael said, scanning the area cautiously. His hand rested on the ...