Finding Truth Behind Legends
by Wizardtho
Chapter 24:
I drive as Taha guides me to Gray Haven. What I can see of the reservation on the way there is beautiful. He points out Will’s and Zander’s houses for me, too, which I’m thankful for.
When I pull into the gravel lot of Gray Haven, the first thing that strikes me is the exterior wood. It looks exactly like the wood on my house. I whisper to Taha as I park the truck, “If I can afford it, I want to build a small one room house with a bathroom… maybe have that main room be around the size of the great room loft. That way, we have more room for the coming tribes. We’d be able to fit 6 more shifters. Then when we don’t need it for that, it can be made a bit more comfortable for any of the coyotes who need a place to crash, or for Dad, when we have a full house in the future.”
He looks at me with a smile, then cups my cheek, “Are you thinking of children, little coyote?”
I shrug, but nod, “I can picture our future having 1 or 2 tiny sets of feet pattering around, but I’m not in a rush. It happens when it happens. The wood looks just like at my house, though. It has the same patina and everything, so it wouldn’t just look like a new out-building.”
Taha nods, kisses my lips lightly, then says, “Let’s go take a look… see what you think about the interior.”
When we reach the door, Taha opens it for me, and I’m blown away with how perfect the open posts, beams, and wood trim are. “Taha, it’s perfect! This is crazy! I can’t believe they wouldn’t rebuild the kitchen to keep all this.”
I drive as Taha guides me to Gray Haven. What I can see of the reservation on the way there is beautiful. He points out Will’s and Zander’s houses for me, too, which I’m thankful for.
When I pull into the gravel lot of Gray Haven, the first thing that strikes me is the exterior wood. It looks exactly like the wood on my house. I whisper to Taha as I park the truck, “If I can afford it, I want to build a small one room house with a bathroom… maybe have that main room be around the size of the great room loft. That way, we have more room for the coming tribes. We’d be able to fit 6 more shifters. Then when we don’t need it for that, it can be made a bit more comfortable for any of the coyotes who need a place to crash, or for Dad, when we have a full house in the future.”
He looks at me with a smile, then cups my cheek, “Are you thinking of children, little coyote?”
I shrug, but nod, “I can picture our future having 1 or 2 tiny sets of feet pattering around, but I’m not in a rush. It happens when it happens. The wood looks just like at my house, though. It has the same patina and everything, so it wouldn’t just look like a new out-building.”
Taha nods, kisses my lips lightly, then says, “Let’s go take a look… see what you think about the interior.”
When we reach the door, Taha opens it for me, and I’m blown away with how perfect the open posts, beams, and wood trim are. “Taha, it’s perfect! This is crazy! I can’t believe they wouldn’t rebuild the kitchen to keep all this.”
A voice sounds behind me, so I turn quickly to see a native man who must be nearing his 80’s, “I’m glad I’m not the only one who thinks it’s worth saving.”
I blush at my outburst being heard, but blush even more at what he says next as he appraises me. “So you are the one all this fuss is being made over. Isabella Swan, it is nice to finally meet you.”
He then turns to Taha, shakes his hand, and offers happily, “It is so good to see you on two feet finally, my friend. Congratulations.”
Taha offers his thanks, and I say as I take my turn shaking his hand, “Thank you, Sir. I honestly didn’t mean to cause such a fuss, but I’m an eternal danger magnet. Please, call me Bella.”
The man pats my hand, “It’s truly alright, Bella. I am Ahanu, the Chief of this tribe.”
I smile, “It’s very nice to meet you. I’m sure Taha and Zander have already made you aware of the situation at hand.”
He nods, “I am. I also know of your plan to stop these vampire leaders from continuing to threaten our lands. You have met them… in person.”
I nod, “Unfortunately, I have. Knowing what I do of them and their arrogance, hiding is not an option. They will not stop until they are made to see that I am in fact NOT human. I believe, if I word my case carefully and make them think they will be violating their own laws if they don’t stop, they will willingly come to an agreement.”
He takes a few steps deeper into the building while rubbing his chin, then turns to say seriously, “Zander tells me that the amount of backup is not to declare war, but a show of our strength if we must eventually go to war.”
I nod, “Yes, Sir. From my understanding, there are still many tribes that have the ability. If we show them that we are a force to be reckoned with if threatened, and that there doesn’t need to be a war if they just leave us in peace, we can all go our separate ways with no blood spilled. They can call the matter settled because I am supernatural, which fulfills their sentence. The vampires can go about their eternities never having anything else to do with shifters… as long as they don’t threaten the tribes. I can live peacefully with my tribe and my mate.”
Ahanu laughs, “I like the way your mate thinks, my old friend.”
Looking around, he finally catches my eyes again, then proceeds to say, “I’ll make you a deal, Miss Swan. You may take anything you need for the housing of the spirit warriors. Anything that stays on your property after this meeting, will be used to care for the pack of warriors you are now a part of, which includes your family. That means if you build buildings on your property, they will either be turned into spare rooms for coyotes once this meeting is over, or they will be dismantled. Interior materials may be used for any expansion needed to your home, as long as once the meeting concludes, they will be used for any future wolves or coyotes you may bear. If any materials you take are no longer needed, any money given to you for the sale of those items will go to feed and clothe the members of the pack, or it will come to me, so I may distribute the funds.”
I let out a breath, promising wholeheartedly, “I swear it, Sir. With this material, if we can get it done, I’ll be able to house 18 of the coming shifters, plus 2 wolves in the bedroom my father isn’t currently using. Assuming the insulation in the walls is still good, I just have to find drywall, electrical, plumbing, 3 more bunk sets and 18 mattresses, 14 sets of full sheets, and enough food to feed an army.”
Ahanu pats my shoulder, “No need to worry, Miss Swan. There is already a collection being taken across the entire reservation. Any donations will be used to help feed the coming spirit warriors. Your pack brothers will see that they all get to you safely.”
I hug Taha to my side in relief, saying, “I can’t thank you enough, Sir. This will help tremendously.”
Looking up at Taha, I ask, “How soon can we get started?”
He pecks my lips lightly, then says, “Though I know you want to help, it would put less strain on the coyotes and wolves for you to be at home helping your Dad, little coyote. That is your safe zone for now. Let the coyotes and any volunteers they can round up do the demolition. You can take stock and organize the materials at the house.”
I visibly deflate, but nod, “I hate this, but I know you’re right. Just know that once this is over, I’m making you take me on a complete tour of the reservation. No buts about it.”
His entire face lights up as he asks, “A date? That would make me a very happy man.”
I can’t help but chuckle as I confirm, “Yes. A proper date, with food, sightseeing, and even kissing in public.”
Ahanu is grinning when Taha and I face him again, “It is nice to finally see you enjoying life, my friend. Miss Swan, if you wouldn’t mind, I would like to come by when the alterations to your property are complete.”
I nod, “Absolutely. I’ll be holding at least the initial bonfire at my home for the coming shifters, so everyone can be informed. You are more than welcome to join.”
As we all start to exit the building, Ahanu replies, “Have Zander inform me of the date and time.”
After saying goodbye to the chief, Taha and I start to make our way home, and I say in awe, “I don’t want to jinx us, but this seems too easy. Not having to pay for the bunks Hudson is crafting, not having to pay for the materials we’re getting from Gray Haven… it just all seems too easy.”
Taha pats my leg, then offers, “You are forgetting that you aren’t getting them for free, Bella. You are taking care of spirit warriors in your private home. The materials are being traded for that care. The bunks are being loaned to you for that care. You will be giving those back, and they will become part of Hudson’s income for his family. The food donations are the tribe helping out their own. They give what they can, because they know the same will be done for them, if they ever need it.”
I truly think about that for the rest of the way home, then say as I park the truck, “I never really thought about it that way. Yes, of course I gave what I could to someone who needed it… but never with the internal knowledge that it would be reciprocated if I needed it.”