CHAPTER FIVE

Quil could already feel the aching pull of separation, the kind of emptiness that made every moment away from Zahra seem unbearable. It was only a few hours since he'd left her with Emily and Sam, but it felt like a lifetime.

He was reluctant to go to school, to leave the comforting familiarity of Emily and Sam's home, where Zahra was being cared for, even if she wasn't exactly comfortable with the surroundings yet. It was hard to explain, but the thought of being away from her—of not being the one she sought comfort from—left him with an anxious, heavy feeling. In the end, it took both Embry and Jacob practically dragging him out of the house before he finally gave in and went to school, his thoughts constantly drifting back to Zahra.

Zahra, or Zahrasephenia Kanelamorus as she had introduced herself with a name that felt too grand and unpronounceable, was still struggling to adjust to her new reality. The few hours that she spent alone in the room, without Quil by her side, had been filled with uncertainty and discomfort. She had barely spoken to anyone, retreating into herself, feeling the weight of the world pressing in on her. Emily and Sam tried their best to help, but they could sense the unease Zahra had around them. She had always been someone used to her own space and, having lived as something else for who knows how long, she wasn't ready to open up to them just yet.

When Quil returned, he had hoped the distance would have given her a chance to calm down, but as he walked through the door, he found Zahra in the same corner, her back turned to him, and her body language still radiating frustration. She wasn't ready to face him, not yet.

He knew better than to push her. She needed time, and Quil was more than willing to give it. Instead, he stayed at the far end of the room, near the door, where Emily would often peek in and check on them.

"She's still not talking?" Emily whispered softly, her concern evident as she took in the situation. Quil just shook his head, his eyes never leaving Zahra's form. "Well, I cooked something for you both. Hopefully, she'll eat."

Quil nodded his thanks, trying to stifle the twinge of guilt that settled in his chest. He wished he could be more present for Zahra, but he had responsibilities, and he knew he couldn't ignore them forever. "Thanks, Em," he murmured, hoping the food would help break through Zahra's wall of silence.

Once Emily left the room, Quil approached Zahra slowly, his voice gentle. "Zahra, Em cooked something for you. Don't you want to eat?"

She didn't respond right away. Instead, she remained with her back to him, her lips pressed tightly together in defiance. It wasn't about the food—it was about the principle of the matter. She didn't want to let go of her anger just yet, but Quil wasn't going to give up that easily. He could tell she was hungry, her body betraying her with the low growl of her stomach. Quil raised an eyebrow, hearing it echo through the otherwise quiet room. "I guess I'll just eat it all, then," he teased lightly, hoping to coax her out of her pout.

Zahra gasped, her head snapping toward him, eyes wide with panic. "No! Don't! I'll eat!" She scrambled to her feet, her face flushed with embarrassment, and Quil's heart lightened at the sight. The moment had worked; he could see her softening already.

"There she is," Quil said, his tone warm, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "I knew you were hungry."

Zahra mumbled under her breath, still irritated but unable to hide the slight smile tugging at her lips. "I'm mad at you," she admitted, though her words were quieter now. "But I do like Emily's cooking—it's..." She trailed off, clearly searching for the right word.

"Delicious?" Quil offered, and Zahra looked at him, her expression unsure.

"What does that mean?" she asked, genuinely curious.

Quil chuckled, his gaze softening as he explained, "It's another way to say something tastes really good."

"Delicious," Zahra repeated, testing the word on her tongue as though she were trying it out for the first time.

Quil smiled at her, feeling a warmth that had nothing to do with the food in front of them. "I'm sorry I had to leave, Zahra. I would've done anything to stay, but I need to go to school."

Zahra's brow furrowed as she watched him, confused. "Why do you need to go to school... whatever that means?" she asked, her voice tinged with genuine curiosity.

Quil gently picked up the spoon and fed her a bite of rice, taking a moment to explain. Zahra, still unfamiliar with utensils, seemed more focused on using the fork as a comb, trying to comb through her hair, much like Ariel from The Little Mermaid. Quil couldn't help but laugh softly to himself, not having the heart to correct her. It was too adorable, and she was still learning the ways of the human world.

"It's a place we go to learn about things like history, laws, and all sorts of stuff," Quil explained. "Honestly, I think it's mostly just a place where adults send us so they don't have to deal with us all the time," he added, finishing with a small joke.

Zahra's eyes widened in disbelief. "Are humans that cruel?" she asked, completely serious, and Quil burst out laughing.

"It was a joke, Zahra," he said, still chuckling. "You remember what a joke is, right?"

Her face scrunched in concentration before she nodded. "Something funny."

"That's right," Quil said, smiling at her with approval. "You're getting the hang of it."

Zahra smiled back, her mood lightening with each passing minute. As she continued to eat, she asked him more questions—about humans, about the world she had found herself in. Quil was more than happy to oblige, answering her questions with patience, never once feeling frustrated with her constant inquiries.

He was glad that Sam had given him the space to let Zahra feel comfortable, to ease into this new reality on her own time. Sam, the alpha, had been understanding and supportive, never pushing Quil to question her or force answers from her. The pack, too, had chosen to respect Zahra's space, understanding that being suddenly thrust into a world she didn't know existed was disorienting and overwhelming. They knew that, in time, she would share what had happened to her, but only when she was ready.

Quil, for his part, was simply happy to be by her side, to see her settling in and slowly beginning to trust him. He was patient, knowing that their bond would only grow stronger, and for the first time in a long while, he felt like he was exactly where he was supposed to be. The imprint had changed everything for him, but it was also the one thing that made everything feel right.