Finding Truth Behind Legends
by Wizardtho
Chapter 18:
Dad decides to stay a bit longer, and I can see how worried he is for me. Over the course of his stay, not only does Taha explain the situation to Dad, but surprisingly, Dad thinks he knows why the legends were twisted. He offers as we have dinner with him on night 2, “I think I understand. They were scared. They couldn’t handle the thought that you could love your 3rd wife so much that even your wolf would mourn for her as he did. They made her into your imprint in the legends to make it make sense. Whether they actually knew you weren’t mated to her or not, only you possibly know the answer to. At least, that’s the only thing I can piece together, having heard the legends myself.”
I nod, looking at Taha while offering, “You know I’ve thought much the same, since you told me the truth of it. If they knew that they could love someone and have a life with them, even if the wolf wasn’t imprinted, Sam and Leah could have married. The council pretty much has told them that they shouldn’t be in a relationship with anyone, because their imprint is liable to show up at any time. Those boys’ lives are at a standstill, unable to live and love, until they imprint. Either that, or they were scared that you loved her so much, yet you lived because she wasn’t your mate… that your wolf wouldn’t let you give up until you found your imprint. Maybe they were afraid of a wolf never finding their imprint. ”
Taha, sighs, then takes my hand in his. “Those are all good points. Unfortunately, we need to deliver the death notice to the Cullens, and I think it is time that my descendants know the truth. I will not keep them from visiting, nor will I hide in the shadows to be near my own mate.”
I stand and kiss his temple, then offer as I pick up my empty glass, “I would never make you choose, Taha. You know that. We can always find another way, if you aren’t ready.”
He smiles and pats my hip as I head toward the kitchen to refill my drink, “I know, and I appreciate it. It’s time, though. They need to be told.”
Dad hums as I sit back down, “Maybe… maybe you don’t need to tell them all. Maybe you just tell the council and Sam. If I could have just those few in one place, like how Zander got me here, you could explain to them. Once the council and Sam decide how they want to approach the situation with the others, that can be dealt with. I hate to say it, but the council is set in their ways. They may not want to rewrite their legends, or have the pack constantly seeing that their legends have been twisted.”
I feel Taha’s sadness, then his resolve as he says, “And that is their right. They do not have to accept me as I am now, but they will also be told that I will not hide my wolf to appease them. I chose to leave my people, so my mourning wouldn’t be a constant reminder to those left alive. End of story.”
I let out a breath, then asked Dad hesitantly, “Do you know why Edward was so set on reaching me?”
He nods, “Something about the head vamps. You were supposed to either change or die from a ruling?”
I sigh, “Yeah. They ruled that when I went to Italy to save Edward’s life. I was a human who knew too much. I had a year to change or die, and then they would send someone to check on my status when that year was up. Edward refused to turn me, for us to spend a life together, but he wanted to marry me. The whole thing was pissing me off, especially when he knew I would only marry once, yet he didn’t want me as his equal. The Cullens are going to be in big trouble for not abiding by the ruling in either sense, Dad, unless something is done to fix this whole situation. I need you to stick close to the wolves, okay? I have to do something to stop the rulers from sending more vamps, but what I do may end up causing a war between the vamps and the shifter tribes.”
Taha groans, knowing what I’ve been thinking about, and that it’s the only way. Dad looks at me curiously, so I say, “Think about it, Dad. They want me changed or dead. I can’t change. Venom would kill me now that I’m a shifter. If I die, at least the coyotes and Taha -if not the wolves and every other shifter that both tribes can round up- go to war with the head vamps. I’m a shifter and the mate to a shifter. A very powerful centuries-old wolf. The tribes won’t let that go once they hear about it. They can’t, because it means they could be next.”
As my father’s eyes get wider by the second, realization setting in, Taha confirms, “She’s right, Charlie. Even if I had to go by myself, I would not stop until I killed the one who caused Isabella’s death. The vampire rulers won’t stop until they are made to see. To understand that Isabella can’t reveal their existence because she’s part of the supernatural world. If they are outed, she will be in just as much danger as they will. We have to make it clear that if they don’t stop coming for her, we will go to war. That means danger for you, as you are her father.”
Dad leans back in his chair with his hands fisting his hair for a full minute before he lets out a huge breath, “Jesus. Alright. I’m not leaving you, though, Bells. I won’t do it. We’ll make whatever plans we have to for me to be run to Will’s or where the other imprints are when it all goes down, but until then, I’m safest with you.”
I tell him we don’t know how long this will take to settle, since it could be another few months before Italy sends out another scout. Dad shakes his head before chuckling, “I’ll tell the station I need one of those sabbatical things. Extended leave. I’m burning out and want to take a break. Henry will probably thank me for getting out of his way for a while.”
I look at Taha, who is already seeking my thoughts. I shrug, “He’s not lying. I’ve got you and all the coyotes around me 24/7. He’s safest with me. The pack doesn’t have enough wolves to keep Dad protected round the clock. You already know I want to make a public plea to the other alphas, which means more shifter power around here. I don’t wanna put the coyotes out though, with having to protect another person.”
Like clockwork, I see Zander and Greg both coming across my back lawn. I wave them in, saying, “Take a seat, boys. I want to propose something to you.”
They do, so I say, “I’m not handing myself over to the Volturi. I’m also not going to stand for them sending scouts every couple of months. Eventually, it has to come to a stop. I’ve been talking to Taha, and I want to make a plea to the other tribes. I’m a shifter, not a human. I’m also Taha’s mate. How many other tribes have they unknowingly done this to? This has to stop, so I want to ask each tribe to send one or two of their shifters as backup. I want a show of support, because when we catch -not kill- the tracker coming for me, I want the shifters phasing on camera. I want me phasing on camera. That video will then be taken back to Italy by the tracker, who saw me shifting with his own eyes. It is proof that I am supernatural, and bound by the same secrecy the vamps are. The support is so he sees we have backup ready to go to war if they don’t leave us alone… leave all the tribes alone.”
Greg looks at Zander with a shrug, then Zander eyes Taha for a minute before he looks at me. “And the extra person I heard you talking about?”
I nod toward my father, saying, “He’s safest on the rez with me. I’m protected 24/7. If he’s with me, any scouts looking for me in Forks won’t use him as leverage. They can’t because he’s here with me, already protected.”
With a nod to each other, Zander and Greg look at Taha, “And what about-”
Taha says without a second of pause, “They will be the first tribe talked to, and all will be explained. I may not be welcomed back, but I don’t see them leaving Isabella out to dry when she needs their support.”
After a long moment of both Taha and Greg looking at Zander, he states surely, “Your Dad stays once he can settle with his work, little coyote. You’re right about him being safest here. As for the tribes, I say we send out a request for each of the tribes to send either an alpha or beta for a pow wow. Make it known that something big is happening, and all tribes are requested to send a representative able of phasing, so they can communicate quickly back to their tribe. We ask the wolves to send both Sam and at least one council representative, plus we have them show up a day or 2 ahead of the pow wow.”
I nod, but Zander continues, “As for the death notice that still needs to be made… make the call, Bella. We need that handled before shifters start travelling here. Tell the leader you’ll give him a set of GPS coordinates to meet you at. That you need to speak to them in person about your ex. We’ll handle that situation in the mountains, so we can keep the vampires away from the reservation.”
My father sits back in his seat, then takes a drink of his beer before saying, “Looks like things are about to get interesting. I’m definitely not going anywhere now.”
Dad decides to stay a bit longer, and I can see how worried he is for me. Over the course of his stay, not only does Taha explain the situation to Dad, but surprisingly, Dad thinks he knows why the legends were twisted. He offers as we have dinner with him on night 2, “I think I understand. They were scared. They couldn’t handle the thought that you could love your 3rd wife so much that even your wolf would mourn for her as he did. They made her into your imprint in the legends to make it make sense. Whether they actually knew you weren’t mated to her or not, only you possibly know the answer to. At least, that’s the only thing I can piece together, having heard the legends myself.”
I nod, looking at Taha while offering, “You know I’ve thought much the same, since you told me the truth of it. If they knew that they could love someone and have a life with them, even if the wolf wasn’t imprinted, Sam and Leah could have married. The council pretty much has told them that they shouldn’t be in a relationship with anyone, because their imprint is liable to show up at any time. Those boys’ lives are at a standstill, unable to live and love, until they imprint. Either that, or they were scared that you loved her so much, yet you lived because she wasn’t your mate… that your wolf wouldn’t let you give up until you found your imprint. Maybe they were afraid of a wolf never finding their imprint. ”
Taha, sighs, then takes my hand in his. “Those are all good points. Unfortunately, we need to deliver the death notice to the Cullens, and I think it is time that my descendants know the truth. I will not keep them from visiting, nor will I hide in the shadows to be near my own mate.”
I stand and kiss his temple, then offer as I pick up my empty glass, “I would never make you choose, Taha. You know that. We can always find another way, if you aren’t ready.”
He smiles and pats my hip as I head toward the kitchen to refill my drink, “I know, and I appreciate it. It’s time, though. They need to be told.”
Dad hums as I sit back down, “Maybe… maybe you don’t need to tell them all. Maybe you just tell the council and Sam. If I could have just those few in one place, like how Zander got me here, you could explain to them. Once the council and Sam decide how they want to approach the situation with the others, that can be dealt with. I hate to say it, but the council is set in their ways. They may not want to rewrite their legends, or have the pack constantly seeing that their legends have been twisted.”
I feel Taha’s sadness, then his resolve as he says, “And that is their right. They do not have to accept me as I am now, but they will also be told that I will not hide my wolf to appease them. I chose to leave my people, so my mourning wouldn’t be a constant reminder to those left alive. End of story.”
I let out a breath, then asked Dad hesitantly, “Do you know why Edward was so set on reaching me?”
He nods, “Something about the head vamps. You were supposed to either change or die from a ruling?”
I sigh, “Yeah. They ruled that when I went to Italy to save Edward’s life. I was a human who knew too much. I had a year to change or die, and then they would send someone to check on my status when that year was up. Edward refused to turn me, for us to spend a life together, but he wanted to marry me. The whole thing was pissing me off, especially when he knew I would only marry once, yet he didn’t want me as his equal. The Cullens are going to be in big trouble for not abiding by the ruling in either sense, Dad, unless something is done to fix this whole situation. I need you to stick close to the wolves, okay? I have to do something to stop the rulers from sending more vamps, but what I do may end up causing a war between the vamps and the shifter tribes.”
Taha groans, knowing what I’ve been thinking about, and that it’s the only way. Dad looks at me curiously, so I say, “Think about it, Dad. They want me changed or dead. I can’t change. Venom would kill me now that I’m a shifter. If I die, at least the coyotes and Taha -if not the wolves and every other shifter that both tribes can round up- go to war with the head vamps. I’m a shifter and the mate to a shifter. A very powerful centuries-old wolf. The tribes won’t let that go once they hear about it. They can’t, because it means they could be next.”
As my father’s eyes get wider by the second, realization setting in, Taha confirms, “She’s right, Charlie. Even if I had to go by myself, I would not stop until I killed the one who caused Isabella’s death. The vampire rulers won’t stop until they are made to see. To understand that Isabella can’t reveal their existence because she’s part of the supernatural world. If they are outed, she will be in just as much danger as they will. We have to make it clear that if they don’t stop coming for her, we will go to war. That means danger for you, as you are her father.”
Dad leans back in his chair with his hands fisting his hair for a full minute before he lets out a huge breath, “Jesus. Alright. I’m not leaving you, though, Bells. I won’t do it. We’ll make whatever plans we have to for me to be run to Will’s or where the other imprints are when it all goes down, but until then, I’m safest with you.”
I tell him we don’t know how long this will take to settle, since it could be another few months before Italy sends out another scout. Dad shakes his head before chuckling, “I’ll tell the station I need one of those sabbatical things. Extended leave. I’m burning out and want to take a break. Henry will probably thank me for getting out of his way for a while.”
I look at Taha, who is already seeking my thoughts. I shrug, “He’s not lying. I’ve got you and all the coyotes around me 24/7. He’s safest with me. The pack doesn’t have enough wolves to keep Dad protected round the clock. You already know I want to make a public plea to the other alphas, which means more shifter power around here. I don’t wanna put the coyotes out though, with having to protect another person.”
Like clockwork, I see Zander and Greg both coming across my back lawn. I wave them in, saying, “Take a seat, boys. I want to propose something to you.”
They do, so I say, “I’m not handing myself over to the Volturi. I’m also not going to stand for them sending scouts every couple of months. Eventually, it has to come to a stop. I’ve been talking to Taha, and I want to make a plea to the other tribes. I’m a shifter, not a human. I’m also Taha’s mate. How many other tribes have they unknowingly done this to? This has to stop, so I want to ask each tribe to send one or two of their shifters as backup. I want a show of support, because when we catch -not kill- the tracker coming for me, I want the shifters phasing on camera. I want me phasing on camera. That video will then be taken back to Italy by the tracker, who saw me shifting with his own eyes. It is proof that I am supernatural, and bound by the same secrecy the vamps are. The support is so he sees we have backup ready to go to war if they don’t leave us alone… leave all the tribes alone.”
Greg looks at Zander with a shrug, then Zander eyes Taha for a minute before he looks at me. “And the extra person I heard you talking about?”
I nod toward my father, saying, “He’s safest on the rez with me. I’m protected 24/7. If he’s with me, any scouts looking for me in Forks won’t use him as leverage. They can’t because he’s here with me, already protected.”
With a nod to each other, Zander and Greg look at Taha, “And what about-”
Taha says without a second of pause, “They will be the first tribe talked to, and all will be explained. I may not be welcomed back, but I don’t see them leaving Isabella out to dry when she needs their support.”
After a long moment of both Taha and Greg looking at Zander, he states surely, “Your Dad stays once he can settle with his work, little coyote. You’re right about him being safest here. As for the tribes, I say we send out a request for each of the tribes to send either an alpha or beta for a pow wow. Make it known that something big is happening, and all tribes are requested to send a representative able of phasing, so they can communicate quickly back to their tribe. We ask the wolves to send both Sam and at least one council representative, plus we have them show up a day or 2 ahead of the pow wow.”
I nod, but Zander continues, “As for the death notice that still needs to be made… make the call, Bella. We need that handled before shifters start travelling here. Tell the leader you’ll give him a set of GPS coordinates to meet you at. That you need to speak to them in person about your ex. We’ll handle that situation in the mountains, so we can keep the vampires away from the reservation.”
My father sits back in his seat, then takes a drink of his beer before saying, “Looks like things are about to get interesting. I’m definitely not going anywhere now.”