Finding Truth Behind Legends
by Wizardtho
Chapter 17:
It’s day 9 of being in my dream state, and I wake to Taha’s arms around me. He’s already awake, because he hums as I relax further back against him, “Good morning, Little Coyote. Are you ready to start our day?”
I shake my head, “Not really. Can we just sleep all day?”
He chuckles and kisses the back of my head, then offers, “We could, but that would not fix your rumbling stomach. You’ve been hungry for at least the last two hours.”
I grumble, “I know. I still would rather we just sleep all day.”
Taha crawls over top of me, so that he’s resting in front of me, then gently holds my chin as he asks in a whisper, “What’s wrong, Isabella?”
Tears fill my eyes at just the thought of not remembering this time, and Taha sees it. I let out a shaky breath, then whisper, “What if I don’t want this to end? What if… what if I don’t remember any of it?”
Suddenly, both Taha and I hear a faint chanting, which sounds like Will, but far away and echoed.
Taha cups both of my cheeks, then presses his lips to mine in the sweetest kiss. I hum as I return the gesture, but he pulls away seconds later to say, “It’s time, Bella. Will is bringing you out of your sedated state. I promise you will remember everything. We both will.”
He goes to say something else, but his form starts to disappear before my eyes. I close my eyes, not wanting to see him completely disappear. When I do, Will’s chanting gets louder, with less echo.
Everything becomes foggy, but Will’s voice is constant. I’m almost afraid to move; I feel as if I’ll fall. A hand grabs hold of mine as a gasp sounds, then I hear Taha’s voice, but it sounds like he’s underwater… or is it me who’s under?
“Open those eyes for me, Isabella. Come on. You’ve been so strong this whole time. I know you can do this. Listen to my voice, Little Coyote. Follow it. Come find me.”
Though I’m wary, I tighten my hold on the hand holding mine. Everything around me seems to solidify, so I gasp and open my eyes. Taha is hovering over me, his deep bourbon eyes probing my green ones. I whisper softly as my hand cups his cheek, “Taha.”
He cups my hand to his cheek as he breathes out in relief, “Bella. I knew you could do it.”
Somewhere nearby, I hear my dad’s voice, “Oh, Bells! Thank God you’re awake!”
I frown, but Taha moves to help me sit up. Will is there, sitting in one of the chairs near my fireplace. He looks extremely tired. Zander is in the other. Coming through the open bedroom door is my father, looking nearly as tired as Will.
“Dad? Wha-... How did you get here?”
He plops down on the corner of the bed and grabs my hand, “Zander. He flew me out and explained what happened. Well, most of it, anyway.”
His eyes land on Taha, then he says, “I still don’t know exactly who this young man is, or why he had to be your guide in that place you were.”
When I raise an eyebrow at Taha, he nods, so I take his hand in mine before saying, “Dad, I’d like you to meet my imprint.”
Dad and Taha both gasp, but Taha adds, “How? When? I didn’t know if you felt our connection.”
I smile and brush my lips lightly to his, “I knew the instant you showed yourself to me in human form on the picnic island. With everything so hectic when I phased, I hadn’t really had the opportunity to look into your eyes before I passed out. I knew in that moment, though.”
I turn to my father, “Yes, Dad. My imprint. My Soul mate. Taha Aki.”
Dad is fine until he hears the name, but then he nearly has a heart attack, spluttering and gasping. Will hurries to calm him, then Dad chokes out, “Taha… Aki? The Taha… the one in the legends? But Bells, he can’t be. Taha is long dead.”
I chuckle, pat his knee, then say, “I know, Dad. Really, I thought the same thing, until I saw this huge white wolf playing in my creek the first night I tried to watch the sunset by the water. Unfortunately, a vampire scented me. Taha was fatally wounded in the fight, but he wouldn’t let anyone take him to a healer. He made Zander bring him here. I was so scared, but I healed him with Will’s help. Then, just when Taha healed enough to hunt for himself, Edward attacked. I was so afraid that Taha would die protecting me, that he wasn’t healed enough for a fight yet, that I phased. I actually turned into my coyote. I… I killed Edward, Dad. He was going to kill everyone to get to me. I couldn’t let him.”
Dad squeezes my hand, promising, “It had to be done, Bella. You were the only one he’d let get close enough. You did what had to be done.”
I gasp as something comes to mind, then ask in a rush, “You didn’t tell the wolves, did you? Dad, tell me you didn’t say anything to Sam or Jake… or God, not Billy!”
Dad shakes his head while patting my hand, “Calm, Honey. Zander told me it was private, and not to say a word to anyone. That when the time was right, all would be explained. Now, knowing who the coyotes have been sheltering, I understand. Well, no, I really don’t, but I’m sure I will soon.”
Taha nods to my father seriously, then I realize I’m starving. I ask dad, though I already know the answer, “I’m starving, Dad, so I need to hunt. Wanna see us phase?”
Taha grins at me, nods, then laughs as Dad practically yells, “Woohoo! Let’s go, slowpokes!”
I send them out ahead of me, then go kneel in front of Zander and Will. “Will, thank you for saving me. How are you? Can I get you anything before I hunt?”
He shakes his head, then smiles at Zander before promising, “I am well taken care of, Little Coyote, and I only kept you stable. The rest was all you and your wolf. Go. Hunt together, and I will be resting in your living room when you return.”
I gently pat his shoulder, telling Zander on my way out to the porch, “Anything he needs, if I have it, it’s his. If I don’t, buy whatever it is, and I’ll reimburse you. Take good care of him.”
Zander grins, “Yes, Ma’am!”
Taha and Dad are talking when I reach them in the middle of my back yard, but Dad asks, “All good?”
I nod, “Just checking on Will. “
Taha rubs my palm as he takes my hand, so I look into his eyes. He lets out a breath, then reminds me, “Channel the fear, Isabella. Remember, you are in control, not the fear. Funnel it, channel it, make it work for you.”
I nod, then ask Dad to move back without taking my eyes from Taha. This will be the first time we’ve shifted together outside of my dream state.
Dad backs toward the porch quickly, so I take a deep breath and let it out. Again, in and out, I picture all my fear. In and out, I focus it. In, I’m human… out, I land on four wheat and vanilla paws. I hear four larger paws land as an echo of my own, and know Taha’s wolf has emerged.
I think softly as my eyes meet his, knowing he’d be wondering, I remember it all. Just like you promised.
His muzzle nuzzles against mine for a second, then I turn to my Dad, who’s gaping like a fish. I let out a chuckle, then slowly make my way to him, hoping not to scare him. Dad’s hand shakes as it comes up to touch me, so I lean my head into his hand. “You’re so beautiful, Bells.”
Taha comes up behind me, to which Dad shakes his head. After a second, he says seriously, “Yeah. No getting around you being a legend. You’re massive. So that you know, I expect you to give me the real rundown, not what the legends tell. Something’s not right if they’re claiming you to be dead, yet you’re here in front of me plain as day.”
Taha nods seriously to my dad, thinking in his mind, Of course. I would expect no less in your shoes. Let me take Bella to sate her hunger, then I promise to fill you in.
Greg is there on my bedroom porch, adjusting shorts on his hips. He translates for Taha word-for-word, which causes Dad to nod in return. Seconds later, Taha and I are off running toward the woods. I know where he wants to hunt, so I race ahead. I can hear his chuckle as he follows behind me.
It’s day 9 of being in my dream state, and I wake to Taha’s arms around me. He’s already awake, because he hums as I relax further back against him, “Good morning, Little Coyote. Are you ready to start our day?”
I shake my head, “Not really. Can we just sleep all day?”
He chuckles and kisses the back of my head, then offers, “We could, but that would not fix your rumbling stomach. You’ve been hungry for at least the last two hours.”
I grumble, “I know. I still would rather we just sleep all day.”
Taha crawls over top of me, so that he’s resting in front of me, then gently holds my chin as he asks in a whisper, “What’s wrong, Isabella?”
Tears fill my eyes at just the thought of not remembering this time, and Taha sees it. I let out a shaky breath, then whisper, “What if I don’t want this to end? What if… what if I don’t remember any of it?”
Suddenly, both Taha and I hear a faint chanting, which sounds like Will, but far away and echoed.
Taha cups both of my cheeks, then presses his lips to mine in the sweetest kiss. I hum as I return the gesture, but he pulls away seconds later to say, “It’s time, Bella. Will is bringing you out of your sedated state. I promise you will remember everything. We both will.”
He goes to say something else, but his form starts to disappear before my eyes. I close my eyes, not wanting to see him completely disappear. When I do, Will’s chanting gets louder, with less echo.
Everything becomes foggy, but Will’s voice is constant. I’m almost afraid to move; I feel as if I’ll fall. A hand grabs hold of mine as a gasp sounds, then I hear Taha’s voice, but it sounds like he’s underwater… or is it me who’s under?
“Open those eyes for me, Isabella. Come on. You’ve been so strong this whole time. I know you can do this. Listen to my voice, Little Coyote. Follow it. Come find me.”
Though I’m wary, I tighten my hold on the hand holding mine. Everything around me seems to solidify, so I gasp and open my eyes. Taha is hovering over me, his deep bourbon eyes probing my green ones. I whisper softly as my hand cups his cheek, “Taha.”
He cups my hand to his cheek as he breathes out in relief, “Bella. I knew you could do it.”
Somewhere nearby, I hear my dad’s voice, “Oh, Bells! Thank God you’re awake!”
I frown, but Taha moves to help me sit up. Will is there, sitting in one of the chairs near my fireplace. He looks extremely tired. Zander is in the other. Coming through the open bedroom door is my father, looking nearly as tired as Will.
“Dad? Wha-... How did you get here?”
He plops down on the corner of the bed and grabs my hand, “Zander. He flew me out and explained what happened. Well, most of it, anyway.”
His eyes land on Taha, then he says, “I still don’t know exactly who this young man is, or why he had to be your guide in that place you were.”
When I raise an eyebrow at Taha, he nods, so I take his hand in mine before saying, “Dad, I’d like you to meet my imprint.”
Dad and Taha both gasp, but Taha adds, “How? When? I didn’t know if you felt our connection.”
I smile and brush my lips lightly to his, “I knew the instant you showed yourself to me in human form on the picnic island. With everything so hectic when I phased, I hadn’t really had the opportunity to look into your eyes before I passed out. I knew in that moment, though.”
I turn to my father, “Yes, Dad. My imprint. My Soul mate. Taha Aki.”
Dad is fine until he hears the name, but then he nearly has a heart attack, spluttering and gasping. Will hurries to calm him, then Dad chokes out, “Taha… Aki? The Taha… the one in the legends? But Bells, he can’t be. Taha is long dead.”
I chuckle, pat his knee, then say, “I know, Dad. Really, I thought the same thing, until I saw this huge white wolf playing in my creek the first night I tried to watch the sunset by the water. Unfortunately, a vampire scented me. Taha was fatally wounded in the fight, but he wouldn’t let anyone take him to a healer. He made Zander bring him here. I was so scared, but I healed him with Will’s help. Then, just when Taha healed enough to hunt for himself, Edward attacked. I was so afraid that Taha would die protecting me, that he wasn’t healed enough for a fight yet, that I phased. I actually turned into my coyote. I… I killed Edward, Dad. He was going to kill everyone to get to me. I couldn’t let him.”
Dad squeezes my hand, promising, “It had to be done, Bella. You were the only one he’d let get close enough. You did what had to be done.”
I gasp as something comes to mind, then ask in a rush, “You didn’t tell the wolves, did you? Dad, tell me you didn’t say anything to Sam or Jake… or God, not Billy!”
Dad shakes his head while patting my hand, “Calm, Honey. Zander told me it was private, and not to say a word to anyone. That when the time was right, all would be explained. Now, knowing who the coyotes have been sheltering, I understand. Well, no, I really don’t, but I’m sure I will soon.”
Taha nods to my father seriously, then I realize I’m starving. I ask dad, though I already know the answer, “I’m starving, Dad, so I need to hunt. Wanna see us phase?”
Taha grins at me, nods, then laughs as Dad practically yells, “Woohoo! Let’s go, slowpokes!”
I send them out ahead of me, then go kneel in front of Zander and Will. “Will, thank you for saving me. How are you? Can I get you anything before I hunt?”
He shakes his head, then smiles at Zander before promising, “I am well taken care of, Little Coyote, and I only kept you stable. The rest was all you and your wolf. Go. Hunt together, and I will be resting in your living room when you return.”
I gently pat his shoulder, telling Zander on my way out to the porch, “Anything he needs, if I have it, it’s his. If I don’t, buy whatever it is, and I’ll reimburse you. Take good care of him.”
Zander grins, “Yes, Ma’am!”
Taha and Dad are talking when I reach them in the middle of my back yard, but Dad asks, “All good?”
I nod, “Just checking on Will. “
Taha rubs my palm as he takes my hand, so I look into his eyes. He lets out a breath, then reminds me, “Channel the fear, Isabella. Remember, you are in control, not the fear. Funnel it, channel it, make it work for you.”
I nod, then ask Dad to move back without taking my eyes from Taha. This will be the first time we’ve shifted together outside of my dream state.
Dad backs toward the porch quickly, so I take a deep breath and let it out. Again, in and out, I picture all my fear. In and out, I focus it. In, I’m human… out, I land on four wheat and vanilla paws. I hear four larger paws land as an echo of my own, and know Taha’s wolf has emerged.
I think softly as my eyes meet his, knowing he’d be wondering, I remember it all. Just like you promised.
His muzzle nuzzles against mine for a second, then I turn to my Dad, who’s gaping like a fish. I let out a chuckle, then slowly make my way to him, hoping not to scare him. Dad’s hand shakes as it comes up to touch me, so I lean my head into his hand. “You’re so beautiful, Bells.”
Taha comes up behind me, to which Dad shakes his head. After a second, he says seriously, “Yeah. No getting around you being a legend. You’re massive. So that you know, I expect you to give me the real rundown, not what the legends tell. Something’s not right if they’re claiming you to be dead, yet you’re here in front of me plain as day.”
Taha nods seriously to my dad, thinking in his mind, Of course. I would expect no less in your shoes. Let me take Bella to sate her hunger, then I promise to fill you in.
Greg is there on my bedroom porch, adjusting shorts on his hips. He translates for Taha word-for-word, which causes Dad to nod in return. Seconds later, Taha and I are off running toward the woods. I know where he wants to hunt, so I race ahead. I can hear his chuckle as he follows behind me.