CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY FOUR – LOVE FOR ONE OR LOVE FOR ALL?

Over the next few days, Cassie found herself spending more and more time with Elena. They explored the village together, with Elena patiently explaining local customs and introducing Cassie to friendly faces. One afternoon, as they sat in Elena's small but cozy cottage, Cassie watched her new friend prepare a traditional Romanian dish. "So, this is sarmale?" Cassie asked, peering into the pot where stuffed cabbage rolls simmered. Elena nodded, a fond smile on her face. "My grandmother's recipe. It's a staple at pack gatherings." Cassie's expression faltered slightly at the mention of pack gatherings. Elena, ever observant, caught the change. "What's wrong, dear?" Cassie sighed, slumping into a chair at the small kitchen table. "It's just... Florian's been attending a lot of these gatherings lately. Pack meetings, rituals... things I'm not really a part of." Elena wiped her hands on a towel and sat across from Cassie. "And how does that make you feel?" "Isolated," Cassie admitte