See, she's blushing!

Back at the house, I found Christine in the kitchen again, bustling around with three other women, all prepping lunch. They moved with the ease of familiarity, clearly accustomed to working together. Christine greeted me with a warm smile.

"Hailey, meet my daughters, Chloe and Elena." She gestured towards two young women in their early to mid-twenties, both bearing a striking resemblance to her.

The only difference was their brown hair, untouched by the streaks of grey that adorned their mother's. Next to them stood Chloe's friend, Natalia.

Natalia offered a shy smile, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. Her pale blue eyes and average build made her blend easily into the background. A quick assessment told me she was likely a lower-ranking pack member, content to follow the lead of others. No challenges there.

We exchanged greetings, and I quickly joined the women in preparing lunch. Chloe and Elena, both married with two children each, explained that their little ones were off w