chapter seven

CHAPTER SEVEN

When Quil, Embry, and Jacob finally returned from their patrol, they were greeted with an unexpected sight that left Quil momentarily stunned. He stood at the doorway, unsure if his eyes were deceiving him or if he was just imagining what he saw. Zahra—who had spent most of her time keeping to herself—was standing, though not without a few wobbly steps. The mermaid was nervously yet excitedly moving across the floor, her focus entirely on Quil as she hurried toward him, stumbling along the way. She was determined, her legs still unsteady beneath her, but she was making progress.

Before she could reach him, her foot caught on the floor, and she tumbled forward, falling straight into Quil's chest. Quil instinctively wrapped his arms around her to steady her, a soft laugh escaping his lips at her clumsiness. For a moment, the air was filled with a light, shared sense of affection and amusement as he held her, but before he could speak, Zahra leaned back slightly, her face lighting up with excitement.

"Quil!" she exclaimed, her voice brimming with energy. "Emily taught me how to cook! And she showed me all kinds of foods I can make!" Her eyes sparkled with a new sense of accomplishment, and her smile was infectious. "I never knew there were so many things to try!"

Quil stood there, still a little shocked by how much Zahra had already progressed in such a short time. Embry and Jacob, who had been standing quietly at the door, exchanged glances. It was rare for them to hear Zahra speak so much, especially with such enthusiasm. Normally, she was shy and reserved, speaking only when spoken to, so to hear her so animated was a pleasant surprise.

Once Zahra had finished her excited ramble, Quil finally found his voice, giving her an encouraging smile. "That's fantastic, Zahra. And it looks like you're getting the hang of using your legs too."

Zahra's smile faltered slightly as she scrunched her nose in confusion, shaking her head. "Not really," she said, her voice soft and a little frustrated. "I still don't have full control of them. I'm not even sure how I moved like that earlier... How fast can they go, anyway?" She looked up at him with genuine curiosity, the question lingering in the air.

Jacob, who had been quietly observing from the doorway, couldn't help but chuckle and step forward. "That's what you call running," he said with a grin, surprising everyone in the room. Zahra didn't flinch or shrink back in fear as she usually did when someone spoke too suddenly or too loudly. Instead, she looked at Jacob with a mixture of curiosity and interest.

Quil felt a swell of pride in his chest at the sight of Zahra's growing comfort with her surroundings and the people around her. "Running?" Zahra echoed, her eyes widening at the new concept.

Embry, who had been standing back, walked closer, a small smile tugging at his lips as he observed how Zahra was interacting with Jacob so naturally. "Yeah, it's one way to get places faster," Embry explained, his voice light and patient.

Zahra's expression transformed as the new information sank in. She looked up at Quil, her excitement palpable. "Can you teach me how to run, Quil?" Her voice was full of enthusiasm, her smile growing as she looked at him with those hopeful, wide eyes. "I really like the idea of running."

Quil's heart warmed at her eagerness, and he gave her a reassuring smile. "Of course, Zahra. I'll teach you," he said, his voice filled with affection.

Jacob, noticing Zahra's excitement, nodded enthusiastically. "We can all teach you, Zahra. Running's a great way to have some fun and get around faster." He grinned, happy to see her so animated.

Zahra turned her gaze toward Quil as if seeking his approval. She was still a little hesitant, unsure whether she should accept their offer, but her curiosity and desire to learn outweighed her doubts. Quil chuckled softly, sensing her inner struggle. "Only if you're comfortable with it," he reassured her, his voice warm and encouraging.

Zahra looked down, her mind whirling as she replayed the words she had said to herself about trying harder. She had promised herself that she would push herself, not wanting to feel like a burden anymore. After a moment of quiet thought, she looked back up at Quil, a small but genuine smile forming on her lips. "Okay," she said softly but firmly. "I'll try."

Embry, seeing the moment of growth in Zahra, turned toward the kitchen with a playful glint in his eye. "So, will you be joining us for dinner now?" he asked, clearly trying to keep the mood light and positive.

Zahra's eyes sparkled with renewed determination as she glanced at Quil. "Yes," she replied. "I want to keep trying new things. I want to learn more."

Emily, who had been listening from the kitchen, walked over with a warm smile, proud of Zahra's progress. "That's the spirit, Zahra," Emily said, her tone soft and encouraging. "You'll really enjoy the silly things the boys always say during meals. They're a handful, but it's all in good fun."

Zahra's smile widened as she turned her attention to the group, her heart feeling lighter. "I'd like that very much," she said with sincerity, her voice filled with gratitude.

As they made their way to the kitchen, Quil couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and joy. Zahra had come so far in such a short time, and though there were still many challenges ahead, he knew she wasn't facing them alone. She was surrounded by people who cared for her, who understood her struggles, and who were willing to help her through it all—step by step.

The journey ahead wouldn't be easy, but with every small victory, Zahra was slowly discovering her place in this strange new world. Each day, she grew more confident, and more willing to trust herself and those around her. And with every step forward, her connection to Quil, and to the pack, deepened. For Quil, that was all that mattered. He had seen Zahra struggle with her fears, her uncertainty, and the painful isolation that came with being so far from everything she had ever known. But now, more than ever, he saw her strength.

It wasn't just about her learning to walk, or even run, it was about her resilience. It was the way she didn't give up on herself, even when everything felt foreign and overwhelming. Quil knew it wasn't just the simple acts of cooking, running, or speaking that marked her progress. It was the way she was slowly learning to trust, to let go of the fear that had once consumed her.

As the days passed, he watched her transform, not just physically, but emotionally. Zahra, who had once recoiled at the touch of another, was now comfortable enough to reach out for help, to laugh with Emily, to seek out the companionship of the boys without fear. That change, that growth, was something Quil couldn't ignore. He was proud of her, proud of how far she had come in such a short time.

And though the path ahead would be filled with challenges, with moments of uncertainty and discomfort, Quil knew they would face it together. As long as she had him—and as long as he had her—nothing could break the bond they shared. She wasn't a burden, not in his eyes. She was a part of his world, a world that had just become a little bit brighter because of her.

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