CHAPTER FORTY

Zahra's excitement was palpable as the ceremony proceeded, and her joy became impossible to contain the moment Quil's name was called.

She clapped her hands enthusiastically, her voice carrying over the other attendees as she cheered for him, loud and unabashed. Joy, sitting beside her, joined in with equal fervour, their laughter and cheers filling the air without a care for the stares they were drawing. To them, this moment was more than just a graduation—it was the culmination of a long and difficult journey, and they weren't about to hold back their pride.

The crowd couldn't help but smile at the sight of these two women, so full of life and joy, celebrating Quil's achievement as if the world had just been given a beautiful gift. Even if some were initially put off by their loudness, no one had the heart to stop them. After all, it wasn't every day that such a heartfelt display of love and happiness took place.

Their infectious energy soon caught the attention of the others around them. The parents of the graduates, who had previously been silent and composed, found themselves picking up the rhythm of Zahra and Joy's enthusiasm, turning the quiet ceremony into something resembling a celebration. The staff and even the graduates themselves shared amused glances, unable to resist laughing at the infectious joy that was rippling through the crowd.

As the ceremony wore on, Zahra tried with all her might to calm her giddiness, but it was clear she was barely holding it together. Old Quil, who had taken it upon himself to try and keep her composed, was slowly realizing it was a lost cause.

Her energy was far too vibrant, and he found himself smiling every time she hummed, her happiness radiating through every note. He couldn't help but chuckle at her childlike excitement, though there was a flicker of fondness in his eyes. When she stopped humming, he couldn't help but frown slightly, wishing he could hear it again.

The final speech came to a close, and without hesitation, Zahra shot out of her seat, nearly tripping over herself as she hurried to find Quil.

When she spotted him, she ran into his arms, throwing herself onto his back, her arms around his neck as they made their way through the crowd. Every few steps, Zahra would plant a soft kiss on his cheek, congratulating him most endearingly, her lips grazing his skin

Quil, always playful, would tease her, encouraging her to give him more kisses, which only made the moment even sweeter. Jacob and Embry, who were watching from the sidelines, rolled their eyes at their playful antics.

They had seen this routine enough times by now—Quil always telling Zahra to kiss his cheek whenever she stopped. Yet, despite the repetition, they couldn't deny the warmth it brought to the moment.

After taking photos with the family and friends, Quil and Zahra decided to leave the gathering early to spend some time at the beach. They were eager to get away from the noise and enjoy some quiet time together. The feast, which was bound to last for hours, would still be there later, and they didn't mind missing out on the long banquet. They both longed for a peaceful moment away from the chaos.

Zahra, still under the tutelage of Sue and Emily, was continuing her homeschooling journey. Although she would be completing her education over the next few years, her progress had been remarkable.

Despite her memories of her past life as a Selkie slowly fading, her learning skills had advanced much faster than anyone expected. Her mundane memories, those that were forming around her new life, were more than enough to guide her forward.

However, as the days went on, the memories of her Selkie life continued to slip away. She was coming to terms with the fact that she might never remember everything—her connection to the sea, the stories she had once known so well, were now just distant shadows.

Though the possibility of those memories returning seemed slim, Zahra had come to peace with it. She understood that while they might be lost, she was still creating new memories, new connections, with Quil and the people around her. The past, while important, was not something she needed to cling to. Her life now, with Quil at her side, was enough.

One afternoon, Quil found himself holding his camera once again. It had become a familiar part of his routine, a way to capture the moments he didn't want to forget. Zahra, as always, was his willing subject, and when he called her name, she turned with a tilt of her head, her curiosity piqued.

"Yes?" she responded, her voice soft but filled with a playful curiosity.

Quil chuckled, her adorable gesture making his heart skip a beat. He walked over to a nearby bench, setting the camera down and adjusting it to face them before returning to her side.

He grabbed both of her hands, looking deeply into her eyes, his expression serious for the first time in what seemed like forever.

"You know I love you, right?" he asked, his voice soft yet filled with emotion.

Zahra, smiling in that comforting way she always did, nodded. "Yeah, you tell me every single day. No, we tell each other every day. Why?"

Quil let out a long breath, his nerves palpable as he knelt down in front of her. "I've told you every day since you came back that I loved you, and I will keep telling you for the rest of our lives," he began, his eyes never leaving hers.

"We've had our fights, our disagreements. We've even gotten under each other's skin. But no matter how bad things get, no matter what comes our way, my love for you only grows. Sometimes, I get scared that it's too much—too big."

Zahra's eyes softened, a laugh escaping her lips at his words. She shook her head, teasing him gently. "Never."

Quil winked, a playful glint in his eyes. "Careful now," he joked, making her laugh even more. "I love you so much, Zahra."

"I love you more," she replied, her hand gently caressing his cheek, her touch filled with tenderness.

He smiled, the warmth of her affection making his heart swell. Reaching into his shirt pocket, he pulled out a small velvet box and opened it to reveal a ring. "Marry me? Well, maybe not soon, but in the future?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper, but the sincerity in his words echoed in the quiet air between them.

Tears welled up in Zahra's eyes as she nodded, her heart racing in her chest. "Yes," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.

Quil, overcome with joy, leapt from the ground, lifting her into his arms and spinning her around. Laughter and kisses flowed freely between them as they revelled in the moment, both of them basking in the love they shared. But before they could fully lose themselves in their joy, they were interrupted by the sound of clapping and cheers from behind them.

Startled, they turned to see their family and friends gathered around, applauding their engagement. Zahra's eyes widened in surprise, her heart fluttering as she took in the sight of so many familiar faces. And there, at the edge of the crowd, was Aniya, along with the rest of their loved ones, all there to share in this special moment.

Before they knew it, both of them were swept into the crowd. Quil was immediately surrounded by his pack brothers, their hands patting him on the back, their voices full of teasing congratulations.

Zahra, meanwhile, was engulfed by the women of the family, their hugs and cheers filling the air.

Yet, despite the whirlwind of excitement surrounding them, both Zahra and Quil found each other across the crowd.

Their eyes locked, and in that brief moment, everything else faded away. Smiling, they mouthed the words they never needed to say aloud: "I love you."