CHAPTER NINE

Once Quil had finally managed to settle Zahra to sleep, a deep sense of relief washed over him. It had been a long and emotionally exhausting day, but there was something about seeing Zahra rest peacefully that gave him the strength to face the conversation that had been looming over him for weeks. The time had come for him to speak to Sam, to have the long-needed talk that had been hanging in the air since Zahra's arrival. As much as he wanted to avoid it, the reality of the situation was undeniable. It was on him to initiate the discussion, and he knew it was time.

He hesitated at the doorway, looking at Zahra's door one last time before stepping into the hallway. His footsteps were quiet as he made his way to the living room, where he found Sam and Emily talking. The laughter in Emily's voice caught his attention, and for a brief moment, he allowed himself to be lost in the warmth of the scene. Sam was chuckling at something Emily had said, his face lit up with affection as she playfully teased him. The sight brought Quil a sense of peace, a reminder that love and connection were still possible in a world that could sometimes feel so chaotic.

Quil had always admired the bond between Sam and Emily. He knew the hardships they had faced together—both personal and as a pack—and it had only made their connection stronger. It was something Quil longed for in his own life. He didn't need it to be with Zahra, though the idea had crossed his mind more than once. The imprinting was something he had accepted and tried to understand, but he knew that just because he had imprinted on Zahra didn't mean they had to become lovers. He wasn't even sure what the future held for them. He hadn't expected any of this—Zahra's sudden arrival, her vulnerability, her confusion—but with each passing day, he found himself more and more drawn to her. She made him feel alive in a way he hadn't felt in a long time. Her presence, her struggles, her growth—they all reminded him that even in the chaos, there could be moments of beauty.

But he couldn't ignore the weight of his responsibility. There were things Zahra needed to know, things that he had been keeping from her. Things about their world, their pack, and the dangers that lurked in the shadows. He couldn't shield her from everything forever, and he knew it was time to face the truth.

As if sensing Quil's presence, Sam turned his head, a knowing smile forming on his face. Emily glanced up at Quil as well, a quiet understanding passing between them. Emily's eyes softened, and with a subtle nod, she kissed Sam on the cheek before standing up to leave the room. It was clear to Quil that Emily recognized the weight of the conversation ahead, and she trusted Sam to guide him through it.

Quil took a deep breath as he walked over and sat in the chair across from Sam. He felt the pressure in his chest as he gathered his thoughts, unsure of how to start. But there was no avoiding it any longer. The words tumbled out of him before he could second-guess himself.

"I want to tell Zahra everything," he said, his voice steady but carrying the weight of his decision.

Sam raised an eyebrow, his expression thoughtful as he studied the younger man. "Everything?" he asked, his voice gentle but curious.

Quil nodded, the resolve in his eyes clear. "About the Cold Ones... everything. I know we've kept that subject off-limits, but I need her to know. Even if it scares her." His voice faltered slightly at the last part, but he knew there was no turning back now. Zahra deserved the truth, even if it meant unsettling her.

Sam leaned back in his chair, folding his arms across his chest as he considered Quil's words. "I'm open to telling her, Quil," he said after a moment. "I told you before—whenever you feel ready, the boys and I will be behind you. We'll stand by you, no matter what. I know things are changing with the Cullens and all, but you don't have to do this alone. We're with you." His voice was firm, but there was an underlying note of reassurance. "Zahra is important to the pack. And we protect our own."

Quil let out a long breath, his mind racing with the implications of what he was about to do. He had been so focused on Zahra's well-being, on protecting her, that he had neglected the larger picture. Telling her about the Cold Ones wasn't just about confronting her fears—it was about preparing her for the harsh reality of their world. And, for all his courage, that scared him more than anything.

"Because she's my imprint?" Quil asked, the words laced with uncertainty. He didn't want to think that Zahra's place in the pack was conditional upon his imprinting on her. What if it wasn't? What if the pack had only accepted her because of him? What would happen if she didn't want to stay once she knew the full extent of their world?

Sam's expression hardened slightly, his eyes narrowing as he looked at Quil. "No, Quil," he said, his voice firm. "Imprint or not, supernatural or not, we are protectors. And we protect those who have blood in their veins. We're a family, and we stand by each other. Always."

Quil felt his heart steady at Sam's words. He hadn't realized how much he needed to hear them until now. He nodded, his eyes closing for a moment as he let the words sink in. Sam always knew exactly what to say to put him at ease, and for that, Quil was grateful.

But there was still one more question that lingered in the back of his mind. One that he had been meaning to ask Sam for days but hadn't found the right moment. He took another breath, his gaze locking with Sam's. "Why haven't you told the elders about Zahra?" he asked, his voice tinged with frustration and worry.

Sam's face tightened at the question, his posture shifting slightly. Quil could tell that the question had hit a nerve. Sam had always been the leader—the one who kept the pack together, who made the hard decisions. But this was different. This wasn't just about pack politics. This was about Zahra's place in their world, and Sam knew how complicated that was.

"Old Quil," Sam began, his voice low and heavy, "your grandfather... he might not be as open to the idea of Zahra. He follows the old traditions, and he's not as accepting as the rest of us. I'm not sure how he'd react to her, especially given her... background."

Quil's heart sank as the reality of the situation hit him. He had always known that his grandfather was a man of rigid beliefs, a stickler for tradition. But hearing it out loud made it all the more real. The elders had always been a part of their world, and their approval was important, even if they didn't hold the same power they once had. But Old Quil was different. He was an old-school man, and the idea of Zahra being accepted by him felt like an impossible dream.

"I know, Sam," Quil murmured, his gaze falling to the table in front of him. "That's my biggest uncertainty too." He felt the weight of the decision pressing down on him. Telling the pack, telling the elders—it was all so much. He didn't know how to navigate it all, especially when his future with Zahra was still uncertain.

For a long moment, neither of them spoke. The silence in the room was heavy, filled with unspoken fears and doubts. Quil's mind was spinning with the enormity of the situation, but deep down, he knew he had to face it. He couldn't keep hiding from the truth.

Finally, Sam spoke again, his voice softer now. "We'll figure this out, Quil. Together. We've always managed to overcome whatever challenges come our way. And we'll do it again. For Zahra. For you."

Quil met Sam's gaze, and for the first time in a long while, he felt a flicker of hope. They were in this together. All of them. And that was something he could hold onto, no matter how uncertain the future seemed.