Finding Truth Behind Legends
by Wizardtho
Chapter 36:
TAHA POV:
I wake up curled around Isabella. She’s peacefully asleep, and it’s still before dawn. I try to carefully detangle myself, and though my little mate frowns in her sleep, she doesn’t wake.
Pulling on some shorts and a tee, I quietly leave the room. Hearing soft steps near the treeline, I look out to see Zander inspecting the concrete forms. I make my way out there, as there are a few things I need to slip away and do today without Isabella being aware.
Zander smiles and nods in greeting as he continues his task. I pat him on the back, “Good morning.”
He replies, “Good morning to you. Did you get any sleep?” The smirk on his lips and the raise of his eyebrow are clear indications of what he’s talking about.
I chuckle, “Yes, and Bella’s still sleeping, thankfully. She needs the rest.”
He nods seriously, “I know. She still isn’t fully recovered from her first shift. I don’t think she’s hunted enough yet… we may need to make sure she hunts at least once a day until we can feel her get to where she needs to be. Oh, I have something for you.”
He pulls a bank card out of his pocket and hands it to me, “Ahanu gave me this last night to give to you. He would have given it to you himself, but he’s traveling to the other side of the rez today for meetings.”
I look at the bank card, then the sticky note on the back. All it says is, “What is owed to you. Pin: 0610.” The pin translates to the month and day Bella moved into the house.
Meeting Zander’s gaze, I’m confused, but he offers before I can ask, “Every coyote since before Hurit’s time has been ‘employed’ by the council. You know that. You’ve been one of us -out there in the thick of it with us- for a very long time, Taha. You, more than any of us, deserve to be compensated for your time protecting this reservation. In the account connected to this card is each of your monthly stipends since Ahanu first spoke to you about it. We are working on your papers and an ID. As soon as they come in, I’ll let you know.”
I gasp as my eyes shoot from the card up to meet Zander’s again, “He was 17, Zander. That was over 65 years ago! No… that’s too much.”
He shakes his head, refusing to take the card I’m holding out to him, “He’s been holding onto your salary for you all this time, just waiting for the day you would find your mate. He knew you would need money to pay for things, and didn’t want you to worry about how you were going to assimilate back into society without it. You deserve every single penny of what’s in that account.”
I rub the back of my neck, thinking, then say softly, “We wouldn’t have to depend on donations. We could finish stocking the freezer downstairs for the coming shifters. We could finish getting the lofts set up. I could go see Sarah without having to ask for a loan. I could give Bella a nice wedding.”
He pats me on the back, asking, “Sarah? So you still intend to buy Bella a ring?”
I nod, still thinking, then answer, “Yes, but not something traditional. I have something special in mind for our actual rings. She likes the idea of rings for special occasions and after we choose to stop shifting. I like the idea of having tattoos be our rings until that time comes. Will you do our tattoos?”
Zander grins, “I’d be honored. Just let me know what you two are thinking of and when you’d like them done.”
I smile, “I think the Chief will feel more comfortable with both, too. He frowned when he told Bella about the rings, but smiled when she mentioned the tattoos. I want to take him to Sarah’s with me, but need a reason for us to leave Bella here.”
He smirks, “I have just the thing. The last of the loads are coming from Gray Haven today. We also need the tile, drain kits, sinks, and faucets bought for the new bathroom. Bella said something about using a certain piece of furniture for the vanity. You can just say that you and the chief are making the run for those things since he has all the measurements.”
I grin, knowing that would give us a good few hours. “Perfect.”
I hear the shower turning on in the master bathroom, so I smirk, “Now that we have that settled, I think I’ll go join my mate in the shower. Thanks, Zander.”
He chuckles loudly as I jog toward the bedroom porch.
Less than 2 minutes later, I step into the shower behind Isabella, my hands sliding over her wet hips as I kiss my mark on her neck. She hums happily, “I knew you wouldn’t be long once you heard I was awake. Is everything alright? I saw you talking to Zander.”
I nod and kiss my mark one more time, my hands making a home low on her flat stomach as I say, “Yes. He was checking the pillars when I woke. He surprised me, though… with a bank card. Ahanu talked to me over 65 years ago about being put on the council payroll as a protector. He seemed serious, but I let it go. I never needed the money. Apparently, he’s been holding onto my stipend each month since we first talked about it, just waiting for the time when I would shift back and need it.”
Isabella gasps and turns in my arms, her eyes wide. I nod, “I know. I was shocked, too.”
My little mate opens her mouth to speak, closes it, shakes her head, then tries to speak again. Finally, she whispers, “Over 65 years of monthly salary? Christ, Taha. I hate to say it, but I was worried about how we were going to finish out the renovations and pay the material costs for everything. I know Dad would have paid it, and I would have paid him back in time with my monthly salary from the council, but still… $1620 a month only goes so far when paying the bills, keeping food on the table, and paying back Dad. He probably would have had to take a loan out to do all that.”
I kiss her lips and gently wipe the water from her cheeks, offering, “I know. Those were my thoughts, too. We could finish filling the downstairs freezer, make sure there are personal items ready for those who come without anything, and I’m sure there are things needed to finish out the interior renovations.”
She nods and kisses my chest, then places her hand over my heart, “Yes… the tub, the shower tile, the vessel sinks, the faucets and things, stain and poly for the loft french doors, and several gallons of satin paint in a light creamy color. I want it to match the original paint as closely as possible. Plus that doesn’t include us still needing mattresses for all of the beds.”
I hum, then say, “Well, it looks like I have some shopping to do today. Would you mind me stealing your dad for the morning? He has all of the measurements, and it would be good for us to spend some time together. I’ll need to get a balance from the bank beforehand, to know what exactly we’re working with.”
Her face lights up while she frames my face with her small hands, “You have a deal, my mighty wolf. I love that you want to spend time with my dad. I will gladly forego having his help this morning if you want to take him with you. I’ll keep Jake and Leah to help me. If you need me to, I’ll send some pics to your phone of what I was thinking.”
I agree, telling her that would be helpful, and we continue to talk as we finish our shower.
TAHA POV:
I wake up curled around Isabella. She’s peacefully asleep, and it’s still before dawn. I try to carefully detangle myself, and though my little mate frowns in her sleep, she doesn’t wake.
Pulling on some shorts and a tee, I quietly leave the room. Hearing soft steps near the treeline, I look out to see Zander inspecting the concrete forms. I make my way out there, as there are a few things I need to slip away and do today without Isabella being aware.
Zander smiles and nods in greeting as he continues his task. I pat him on the back, “Good morning.”
He replies, “Good morning to you. Did you get any sleep?” The smirk on his lips and the raise of his eyebrow are clear indications of what he’s talking about.
I chuckle, “Yes, and Bella’s still sleeping, thankfully. She needs the rest.”
He nods seriously, “I know. She still isn’t fully recovered from her first shift. I don’t think she’s hunted enough yet… we may need to make sure she hunts at least once a day until we can feel her get to where she needs to be. Oh, I have something for you.”
He pulls a bank card out of his pocket and hands it to me, “Ahanu gave me this last night to give to you. He would have given it to you himself, but he’s traveling to the other side of the rez today for meetings.”
I look at the bank card, then the sticky note on the back. All it says is, “What is owed to you. Pin: 0610.” The pin translates to the month and day Bella moved into the house.
Meeting Zander’s gaze, I’m confused, but he offers before I can ask, “Every coyote since before Hurit’s time has been ‘employed’ by the council. You know that. You’ve been one of us -out there in the thick of it with us- for a very long time, Taha. You, more than any of us, deserve to be compensated for your time protecting this reservation. In the account connected to this card is each of your monthly stipends since Ahanu first spoke to you about it. We are working on your papers and an ID. As soon as they come in, I’ll let you know.”
I gasp as my eyes shoot from the card up to meet Zander’s again, “He was 17, Zander. That was over 65 years ago! No… that’s too much.”
He shakes his head, refusing to take the card I’m holding out to him, “He’s been holding onto your salary for you all this time, just waiting for the day you would find your mate. He knew you would need money to pay for things, and didn’t want you to worry about how you were going to assimilate back into society without it. You deserve every single penny of what’s in that account.”
I rub the back of my neck, thinking, then say softly, “We wouldn’t have to depend on donations. We could finish stocking the freezer downstairs for the coming shifters. We could finish getting the lofts set up. I could go see Sarah without having to ask for a loan. I could give Bella a nice wedding.”
He pats me on the back, asking, “Sarah? So you still intend to buy Bella a ring?”
I nod, still thinking, then answer, “Yes, but not something traditional. I have something special in mind for our actual rings. She likes the idea of rings for special occasions and after we choose to stop shifting. I like the idea of having tattoos be our rings until that time comes. Will you do our tattoos?”
Zander grins, “I’d be honored. Just let me know what you two are thinking of and when you’d like them done.”
I smile, “I think the Chief will feel more comfortable with both, too. He frowned when he told Bella about the rings, but smiled when she mentioned the tattoos. I want to take him to Sarah’s with me, but need a reason for us to leave Bella here.”
He smirks, “I have just the thing. The last of the loads are coming from Gray Haven today. We also need the tile, drain kits, sinks, and faucets bought for the new bathroom. Bella said something about using a certain piece of furniture for the vanity. You can just say that you and the chief are making the run for those things since he has all the measurements.”
I grin, knowing that would give us a good few hours. “Perfect.”
I hear the shower turning on in the master bathroom, so I smirk, “Now that we have that settled, I think I’ll go join my mate in the shower. Thanks, Zander.”
He chuckles loudly as I jog toward the bedroom porch.
Less than 2 minutes later, I step into the shower behind Isabella, my hands sliding over her wet hips as I kiss my mark on her neck. She hums happily, “I knew you wouldn’t be long once you heard I was awake. Is everything alright? I saw you talking to Zander.”
I nod and kiss my mark one more time, my hands making a home low on her flat stomach as I say, “Yes. He was checking the pillars when I woke. He surprised me, though… with a bank card. Ahanu talked to me over 65 years ago about being put on the council payroll as a protector. He seemed serious, but I let it go. I never needed the money. Apparently, he’s been holding onto my stipend each month since we first talked about it, just waiting for the time when I would shift back and need it.”
Isabella gasps and turns in my arms, her eyes wide. I nod, “I know. I was shocked, too.”
My little mate opens her mouth to speak, closes it, shakes her head, then tries to speak again. Finally, she whispers, “Over 65 years of monthly salary? Christ, Taha. I hate to say it, but I was worried about how we were going to finish out the renovations and pay the material costs for everything. I know Dad would have paid it, and I would have paid him back in time with my monthly salary from the council, but still… $1620 a month only goes so far when paying the bills, keeping food on the table, and paying back Dad. He probably would have had to take a loan out to do all that.”
I kiss her lips and gently wipe the water from her cheeks, offering, “I know. Those were my thoughts, too. We could finish filling the downstairs freezer, make sure there are personal items ready for those who come without anything, and I’m sure there are things needed to finish out the interior renovations.”
She nods and kisses my chest, then places her hand over my heart, “Yes… the tub, the shower tile, the vessel sinks, the faucets and things, stain and poly for the loft french doors, and several gallons of satin paint in a light creamy color. I want it to match the original paint as closely as possible. Plus that doesn’t include us still needing mattresses for all of the beds.”
I hum, then say, “Well, it looks like I have some shopping to do today. Would you mind me stealing your dad for the morning? He has all of the measurements, and it would be good for us to spend some time together. I’ll need to get a balance from the bank beforehand, to know what exactly we’re working with.”
Her face lights up while she frames my face with her small hands, “You have a deal, my mighty wolf. I love that you want to spend time with my dad. I will gladly forego having his help this morning if you want to take him with you. I’ll keep Jake and Leah to help me. If you need me to, I’ll send some pics to your phone of what I was thinking.”
I agree, telling her that would be helpful, and we continue to talk as we finish our shower.