CHAPTER EIGHT

It was finally Friday, and Quil couldn't help but feel a sense of relief wash over him. The weekend was here, and with it, more time to spend with Zahra. He was excited, eager to share moments with her, to show her even more of the world she had come to be a part of. However, as much as he wanted to indulge in the happiness of being with her, a nagging worry lingered at the back of his mind. Sam had been keeping something from the pack—a meeting that everyone was waiting for and that Quil dreaded. He knew the pack, especially Sam, was curious about Zahra's past, about who she really was. But the thought of learning something that might change the dynamic of their routine was terrifying. He wasn't ready for that reality yet.

Quil wanted, just for a little longer, to remain in this bubble where Zahra was simply Zahra—his imprint, the one person he wanted to protect and care for. He wanted to stay oblivious to whatever pain or truth she was hiding, to keep everything simple. But deep down, he knew he couldn't remain in this sheltered world forever. Zahra hadn't given them any clues about her life before this new world, and the only things they really knew about her kind were the stories Emily had shared—stories that painted Zahra as something rare, something unlike anything the pack had ever encountered. The truth of her origins, her history, it all remained a mystery. And that was exactly what terrified him.

When Quil finally arrived at Sam and Emily's house later than planned, having had to run errands for his grandfather, he didn't expect to find Zahra sitting in the corner of the room, her body hunched, her arms wrapped tightly around her knees. His heart sank. She wasn't the playful, curious Zahra he had come to know. No, this Zahra was withdrawn, anxious, pouting in a way that sent a wave of concern through him. It was clear something was wrong.

He moved toward her quickly, instinctively—his protective nature taking over. The moment Emily saw him approach, she gave him a look of quiet understanding before leaving the room. She knew Quil would be the one to help Zahra, to calm her in a way no one else could.

"Zahra? What's wrong?" Quil's voice was soft, a whisper of concern as he crouched down beside her. He could see the way she was hugging her knees close, her face buried in her arms, and it made his chest tighten with worry.

Zahra looked up at him, her face filled with confusion and distress. "I was watching that weird box you guys call a television, and I..." Her voice trailed off as her nose scrunched in discomfort, her lips pursed. "It was scary—the man had this weird contraption, and he killed a wolf."

Quil's heart sank, and a wave of anxiety washed over him. He couldn't imagine the horror Zahra must have felt witnessing such violence, especially after all she had already been through. He could sense her unease, her fear that maybe something similar could happen to the pack, to the people she cared about.

"Why did he hurt the wolf?" Zahra whimpered, her voice trembling. Quil's protective instincts flared. He immediately reached out and pulled her into his chest, offering comfort in the only way he knew how. Her body felt fragile in his arms, and the last thing he wanted was for her to feel unsafe in this world.

"I can't speak for him," Quil said softly, trying to find the right words. "And I'm not sure how to explain it, but sometimes... humans do things that just don't make sense. They do horrible things, and I'm sorry you had to see that, Zahra."

Zahra pulled back slightly, her eyes now searching his, a deep sadness clouding them. "It's okay," she murmured, lowering her gaze. "My kind does terrible things too." Her voice was quieter now, and there was a softness to her words that tugged at Quil's heart. "But it just scared me to think that someone could hurt you or the boys."

Quil's breath caught in his throat. He had never seen Zahra this vulnerable before. It was clear how deeply she cared about him and the pack, how much her fear of losing them, of seeing them hurt, weighed on her heart. Her words cut through him more than he expected, and for a moment, he was speechless.

He smiled gently, trying to reassure her, his voice filled with warmth. "Oh, Zahra, nothing like that will happen here. Not with us. We keep to our own, and the humans who do know about us, they know we don't harm them. We're safe."

Zahra's eyes softened, but there was still a hint of worry in her expression. "But what if someone gets hurt, Quil?" she whispered, her voice barely audible. She reached up, her hand resting against his, seeking comfort in his touch.

Quil swallowed hard, his thoughts racing. He couldn't tell her everything, couldn't bring himself to explain the darker side of their world. The vampires. He had been avoiding this conversation, knowing that telling Zahra about the bloodsuckers who lurked in the shadows of their world would only add to her fear. She had already been through so much, and the last thing he wanted was for her to lose the little bit of trust she had in the world above the water.

But deep down, Quil knew he couldn't shield her forever. He couldn't protect her from the truth. He was just waiting for the right time to tell her, to help her understand the dangers that loomed over them all.

"I don't want to see any of you hurt," Zahra continued, her voice trembling slightly. The pain in her eyes made Quil's heartache. He wished he could promise her that everything would be okay, that no harm would ever come to her or the people she had come to care about. But deep down, he knew that wasn't a promise he could keep.

Instead, he just held her tighter, trying to give her as much comfort as he could. "I won't let anything happen to you, Zahra. To any of us."

She looked up at him, her eyes wide with worry and uncertainty. Quil could see the deep concern in her eyes, and he knew the weight of her words. The fear wasn't just about the wolves on TV, it was about something deeper, something far more painful. Zahra was afraid—afraid for him, for the pack, for the world she had been thrust into.

And as much as he wished he could shield her from that fear, he knew he couldn't. All he could do was be there for her, to reassure her as best as he could, and to be the strength she needed in moments like this. He was her protector, but even more than that, he was the one person who could help her find a sense of peace in a world that didn't make sense.

Quil held Zahra close, his arms wrapped tightly around her as he tried to soothe the turbulence of emotions she couldn't fully express. The weight of her fears pressed heavily on him, but he knew that, for now, his presence was the only comfort he could offer. He had promised himself, and her, that he would protect her—that he would help her find her place in this world, no matter how difficult it became.

Zahra's breathing slowed, her body relaxing slightly in his embrace, though the worry in her eyes never fully dissipated. She was still new to all of this—the land, the people, the world above the water—and it was so much for her to process. She had come so far in such a short time, but there were still so many uncertainties weighing on her heart.

Quil could see that she wasn't just scared of the world around her. She was scared of losing him, of losing the family they were slowly becoming. And that fear was something he couldn't simply erase. It was something she had to work through on her own, with his support and the support of the pack. But he also knew that the more time she spent with them, the more she would begin to understand and trust the world she was now a part of.

"I'll be here," he whispered, his voice calm and steady, though his own heart was racing with the uncertainty of what the future held. "We'll get through this together, okay?"

Zahra nodded against his chest, her small form trembling slightly as she took comfort in his words. "Together," she repeated softly, her voice muffled by the fabric of his shirt. It was a small comfort, but for the first time since the unsettling moment with the television, she seemed to relax, her shoulders unwinding just a little.

Quil gently pulled away, giving her enough space to look up at him. He smiled softly, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face. "You're stronger than you think, Zahra. Don't forget that."

She met his gaze with wide eyes, the sadness still lingering in them, but now there was something more—a spark of determination, a flicker of hope. It was subtle, but it was there, and that was all Quil needed to see.

The sound of footsteps echoed down the hallway, and Quil turned to see Emily peeking around the corner, a quiet understanding in her eyes. She had known Zahra would need him in moments like this, and though she had given them space, she was always there to support them when needed.

"Is she okay?" Emily asked gently, her voice soft enough not to disturb the fragile moment between them.

Quil nodded, his gaze still on Zahra. "Yeah. She's just... adjusting. It's a lot for her, Em. But we're getting there."

Emily's face softened as she took in the scene. "She's lucky to have you, Quil. And you're lucky to have her, too."

Zahra looked up at Emily, her eyes still full of questions but now a little more at ease. "Thank you... for everything," she said quietly, her voice still unsure but more confident than it had been just moments ago.

Emily smiled warmly, walking into the room and kneeling beside them. "You're welcome, Zahra. We're all here for you. Don't ever feel like you're alone."

Zahra hesitated for a moment before finally offering a small, tentative smile. "I'll try... I just don't want to be a burden anymore."

Quil's heart clenched at her words, but he reached out, gently taking her hand. "You're not a burden, Zahra. You never have been. We're all learning together. And we'll keep learning, one step at a time."

The weight of those words hung in the air, and for the first time, Zahra looked at him with something like peace in her eyes. She was still uncertain about the world, still unsure about her place in it, but there was a spark of something more now—hope, trust, and a sense of belonging.

The journey ahead was far from easy. There would be more moments like this—times when Zahra would struggle when the world would feel overwhelming when the fear of the unknown would press in. But Quil knew that with every small step, every new victory, Zahra would continue to find her way. And with his help, and the support of the pack, she would eventually learn that she didn't have to carry the weight of her fears alone.

For now, that would have to be enough. But Quil had a feeling that with Zahra by his side, they would face whatever came next—together.