CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY SIX – LEARNING THE CUSTOMS

A few days after their heart-to-heart, Cassie found herself once again at Elena's cottage. The older woman had invited her over for tea and, as Cassie soon realized, a much-needed conversation. Elena's hands trembled slightly as she poured the steaming liquid into delicate cups. "Cassie, there's something I need to tell you. Something about my past." Cassie leaned forward, sensing the gravity in Elena's tone. "What is it?" Elena took a deep breath, her eyes distant with memory. "I told you before that I understood what it was like to be an outsider. The truth is, I was once part of another pack. A rival to the one led by Karl von Steiner." Cassie's eyes widened. "Karl? Florian's brother?" Elena nodded grimly. "The very same. Our pack was smaller, but we had a good life. Until Karl decided we were a threat to his power." "What happened?" Cassie asked, her voice barely above a whisper. Elena's hands clenched around her teacup. "Karl's forces attacked us one night. It was... brutal