CHAPTER SIX

Emily stood in the kitchen, her hands moving deftly as she prepared food for the pack. It was a familiar routine, one she took comfort in, even when the house felt unusually quiet. Zahra was once again holed up in her room, the door closed as though it were her last line of defence against the strange world she had been thrust into.

Emily glanced toward the hallway with a flicker of concern. She understood Zahra's hesitation—how overwhelming it must be for someone who'd lived an entirely different existence to suddenly face this new and baffling reality.

Two weeks had passed since Zahra had been pulled from the water, and her transformation into this new life was still a work in progress. Each day brought small victories: learning to walk a little steadier, asking new questions, or even trying foods she had never seen before. But there was also the fear, the uncertainty that clung to her, keeping her wary of everyone except Quil. He was her anchor in this storm, the only one she trusted completely.

For Zahra, the strangest part of her new life wasn't just the people or the customs but her sudden disconnection from the ocean itself. The very place she had always called home now seemed to reject her. She learned this in the most heartbreaking way during an outing with the pack to the beach. Curiosity had drawn her to the water's edge, the familiar waves beckoning her like an old friend. Tentatively, she reached out, her fingertips skimming the surface. But instead of comfort, she was met with a sharp, searing pain—the same unbearable sensation she had felt the first night she emerged into this strange world.

That night, Zahra cried for the first time. The emotion itself was so foreign, so overwhelming, that it frightened her. Tears fell in silent streams as she tried to understand what was happening to her. Quil stayed by her side through it all, gently wiping her tears and trying to explain what crying meant. His words were clumsy—how could you truly define sadness to someone who had never known it?—but his presence was steady, his patience infinite. Though it was a difficult night for both of them, Quil never once showed frustration or exhaustion. He was simply there, offering her the quiet assurance that she wasn't alone.

Zahra, however, couldn't shake the feeling that she was a burden. She saw the worry in Quil's eyes, the way Emily and Sam walked on eggshells around her, trying to make her feel comfortable. Determined to prove she could be more than a helpless outsider, she resolved to push herself out of her comfort zone. She decided to approach Emily, the second person she was slowly beginning to trust, and offer to help.

The problem was her legs. Zahra still hadn't mastered the art of walking, and each step felt like a test of willpower. Her stubbornness drove her to try anyway, even as her movements were slow and unsteady. She managed to open her bedroom door but had only made it a few steps into the hallway before her legs gave out beneath her. She fell with a loud thud, the sound echoing through the quiet house.

Emily heard the noise and rushed around the corner, her heart skipping a beat. When she saw Zahra sprawled on the floor, she knelt down in alarm. "Oh, Zahra, sweetheart, are you okay?" she asked, her voice gentle but filled with worry.

Zahra looked up slowly, her cheeks flushed a deep, rosy red. Embarrassment was written all over her face as she muttered, "I... I underestimated legs." She pouted as she sat up, brushing herself off with an annoyed huff.

Emily smiled, her worry easing into understanding. "It's okay, Zahra. You're still learning," she said, her tone encouraging as she knelt beside the young mermaid. "Would it be alright if I helped you? Quil's on patrol right now, and he won't be back for a few hours."

To Emily's surprise, Zahra hesitated only a moment before nodding and reaching out her hand. It was a small gesture, but it astonished Emily, knowing how reluctant Zahra usually was to touch anyone besides Quil.

As Emily helped her to her feet, Zahra leaned against her for balance, her expression flustered but determined. "I... I came out to help," Zahra mumbled, clearly embarrassed but sincere.

Emily's face lit up with a warm smile. "Oh! I'd love that, Zahra. That's so kind of you."

"I want to stop being such a burden," Zahra admitted, her gaze dropping to the floor as her voice grew quieter.

"Oh, sweetheart," Emily said softly, placing a reassuring hand on Zahra's shoulder. "You're far from being a burden. You're doing so well, and we're all so proud of you."

Zahra's lips quirked into a small smile as she looked up at Emily. "Really?"

"Of course," Emily assured her. "Do you remember when Quil explained to you about the boys and their shape-shifting?"

"Yes," Zahra said, her brow furrowing slightly. "The boys turn into... wolves?"

Emily nodded. "That's right. When they first shifted, they were thrown into something completely unknown, just like you. It was confusing and scary for them too, but they learned to adapt. And you're doing the same, Zahra. You're stronger than you realize."

Zahra considered this, her expression thoughtful. "I'm glad you told me that, Emily. It gives me the courage to try harder."

Emily beamed at her. "Quil will be so happy to hear that."

Zahra tilted her head curiously. "Why do I feel happy that Quil will be happy?"

Emily chuckled softly. "It means you care about him, Zahra. That's all."

Zahra scrunched her nose in confusion, but her smile returned. "I don't understand these human emotions... but I want to learn all about them."

"You will," Emily said gently. "Just take your time. Learn at your own pace. You've already come so far, Zahra, and soon enough, it'll all make sense."

Zahra nodded, her smile growing as a flicker of determination sparked in her eyes. For the first time, she felt a little less like a burden and a little more like she belonged. It was a subtle shift, but it brought a warmth she hadn't known before—a sense of hope that maybe this strange world wasn't as daunting as it seemed.

She glanced at Emily, whose kind expression was full of encouragement, and felt a surge of gratitude. Though she still didn't fully understand the intricacies of human emotions, Zahra recognized the comfort of being cared for. It was different from anything she had experienced in the ocean, where survival often took precedence over sentiment. Here, there was patience, support, and a strange but soothing sense of community.

"I want to help more," Zahra said softly, her voice gaining strength as she spoke. "Not just you, but everyone. They've been so kind... even though I don't understand why."

Emily squeezed her hand gently, her smile widening. "You'll understand in time, Zahra. Kindness doesn't always need a reason. Sometimes, it's just given because it's the right thing to do."

Zahra tilted her head thoughtfully, her curiosity piqued. The idea of doing something simply because it felt right was new to her. In the ocean, every action had a clear purpose: hunting, defending territory, or escaping predators. Here, there was room for something more—something softer and far less transactional.

Emily helped her take a few tentative steps, steadying her as she went. Zahra wobbled but didn't fall, her determination outweighing her uncertainty. They made their way toward the kitchen, where the enticing aroma of Emily's cooking filled the air.

As they walked, Zahra asked, "Do you think Quil will be proud of me?"

Emily laughed lightly, the sound warm and reassuring. "Oh, sweetheart, Quil is already proud of you. You don't have to do anything to earn that. He cares about you just as you are."

Zahra felt her cheeks warm at Emily's words. "He's... different from the others," she admitted, her tone shy but sincere. "When he's near, I feel... safe."

"That's because you're especially connected to him," Emily explained gently. "Quil feels it too, even if he hasn't said it outright. That connection is something unique—something meant just for the two of you."

Zahra's brow furrowed as she tried to process Emily's explanation. "I still don't understand it all," she said after a moment, "but I think... I want to."

"And you will," Emily assured her. "You've already started, Zahra. One step at a time."

As they reached the kitchen, Zahra took a deep breath, her determination renewed. She wasn't sure what the future held or how she would navigate the complexities of this world, but for the first time, she felt a flicker of hope. With Quil's unwavering support and Emily's gentle guidance, she realized she didn't have to figure everything out at once. She just had to keep moving forward—one small step at a time.