Finding Truth Behind Legends
by Wizardtho
Chapter 45:
Five days have passed, and things have been going well. The cabin is finished and happily occupied. I love the wood accents on the bed sets Hudson chose to make for the cabin bunkroom.
The new loft bathroom is getting a lot of use. I’m honestly glad that bathroom was suggested, as I don’t know if I would still be sane had we not put it in.
Our company has settled in as much as possible, and I’ve noticed Leah spending a lot of her free time with Theo, the Minnesota black bear. I’ve been letting it go unasked so far, but the curiosity is killing me. Thinking about it, they would be really good for each other.
Taha has a Montana state license now. He’s really come a long way with integrating back into society in such a short time. Though he doesn’t drive yet, he has asked if Zander would teach him. I’m not mad, since he says when I try to teach him, he only wants to concentrate on me, not the driving.
At the moment, I’m taking some time for myself, walking along the edge of the water on the picnic island. I know I’m free to get lost in my thoughts, as I have 2 eagle companions with me this morning. Taha was still asleep when I slipped out of bed, but Declan and Rowan will let me know if there’s something to worry about.
I can’t help but think about how much my life has changed by deciding to move here… for the better. I love the life that I’m building here. Having my dad close is amazing, and knowing that he approves of my mate means more than I can express. Hell, just yesterday the 2 of them drove off by themselves for more bonding time.
I come to my large boulder, then climb up to sit at the top, my mind turning toward the future. Looking out at the creek, I envision a young boy and his little sister playing in the water, splashing around, and can practically hear the beautiful laugh of my mate next to me at their antics. It’s a clear hope for my future with Taha, and I watch the scene play out as love fills my chest.
I’m broken from my thoughts as I feel a soft kiss to my mate mark while Taha settles on the boulder next to me. He asks in a whisper against my skin if I’m okay, so I smile and nod, “Yeah… just taking a few minutes. Remembering, but also thinking about what our future might be like.”
He nods, then says as he turns to face me, “I’ve been thinking about that a lot, too. Our future.”
He takes both my hands, then says, “I don’t want to wait… I want to start our future together now, Isabella. I was going to wait until after all this mess with the Italians was over, but screw that. I want you to be my wife when we face them. I want you to have mark AND my name when they come.”
His voice is gravelly with emotion as he says, “Marry me, Isabella. Not in a few months, not in a year. Marry me this weekend in front of all the tribes.”
He shows me a ring, and my breathing hitches loudly in my throat as tears fill my eyes. The ring isn’t some gaudy piece that costs a year’s wages. It’s simple and beautiful, and just perfect because he listened. The main stone looks like threads of actual moss are inside it, and the band of the ring looks like interwoven gold twigs.
Five days have passed, and things have been going well. The cabin is finished and happily occupied. I love the wood accents on the bed sets Hudson chose to make for the cabin bunkroom.
The new loft bathroom is getting a lot of use. I’m honestly glad that bathroom was suggested, as I don’t know if I would still be sane had we not put it in.
Our company has settled in as much as possible, and I’ve noticed Leah spending a lot of her free time with Theo, the Minnesota black bear. I’ve been letting it go unasked so far, but the curiosity is killing me. Thinking about it, they would be really good for each other.
Taha has a Montana state license now. He’s really come a long way with integrating back into society in such a short time. Though he doesn’t drive yet, he has asked if Zander would teach him. I’m not mad, since he says when I try to teach him, he only wants to concentrate on me, not the driving.
At the moment, I’m taking some time for myself, walking along the edge of the water on the picnic island. I know I’m free to get lost in my thoughts, as I have 2 eagle companions with me this morning. Taha was still asleep when I slipped out of bed, but Declan and Rowan will let me know if there’s something to worry about.
I can’t help but think about how much my life has changed by deciding to move here… for the better. I love the life that I’m building here. Having my dad close is amazing, and knowing that he approves of my mate means more than I can express. Hell, just yesterday the 2 of them drove off by themselves for more bonding time.
I come to my large boulder, then climb up to sit at the top, my mind turning toward the future. Looking out at the creek, I envision a young boy and his little sister playing in the water, splashing around, and can practically hear the beautiful laugh of my mate next to me at their antics. It’s a clear hope for my future with Taha, and I watch the scene play out as love fills my chest.
I’m broken from my thoughts as I feel a soft kiss to my mate mark while Taha settles on the boulder next to me. He asks in a whisper against my skin if I’m okay, so I smile and nod, “Yeah… just taking a few minutes. Remembering, but also thinking about what our future might be like.”
He nods, then says as he turns to face me, “I’ve been thinking about that a lot, too. Our future.”
He takes both my hands, then says, “I don’t want to wait… I want to start our future together now, Isabella. I was going to wait until after all this mess with the Italians was over, but screw that. I want you to be my wife when we face them. I want you to have mark AND my name when they come.”
His voice is gravelly with emotion as he says, “Marry me, Isabella. Not in a few months, not in a year. Marry me this weekend in front of all the tribes.”
He shows me a ring, and my breathing hitches loudly in my throat as tears fill my eyes. The ring isn’t some gaudy piece that costs a year’s wages. It’s simple and beautiful, and just perfect because he listened. The main stone looks like threads of actual moss are inside it, and the band of the ring looks like interwoven gold twigs.
I choke out after a full 2 minutes, since it takes me that long to catch my breath, “It’s moss… and twigs!”
He chuckles as he wipes a couple of tears from my face, “Technically, it’s gold and moss agate, but I thought the symbolism would mean the most to you. Was I right?”
I nod as more tears fall, then whisper, “It’s perfect, Taha. Yes, I’ll marry you.”
He asks again while slipping the ring on my left hand, “This weekend?”
I chuckle and nod, offering, “This weekend, though we might have an angry Nova to deal with if we put Avory in a time crunch. That only gives him 3 days to finish my dress.”
He laughs and pecks my lips, then promises, “I figured Avory was helping you with your dress. If need be, we’ll pay for a weekend away for the 2 of them after the wedding.”
I move to straddle his lap, so he wraps his arms around my waist as I settle. Cupping his face in my hands, I whisper, “Thank you… for my ring. For listening, even though I didn’t think you’d take it quite so literally. I know I can’t wear it all the time, yet, but I will cherish the moments I do get to wear it. I love you, Taha.”
He tells me he loves me in return, then our lips meet in a slow, sweet kiss.
Ten minutes later, as we enter the backyard, I see my dad sitting comfortably in one of the loungers talking to Zander. His grin -as he spies the ring on my finger- is uncontainable. “I was in the loop, you know. He wanted me to go with him to the jeweler the day we got the bathroom things.”
He nods as I look at him in shock, then chuckles as he tells Taha, “I knew you wouldn’t wait long after we picked them up yesterday.”
I smile at that, then ask Dad, “Are you ready to walk your daughter through the woods? I can only give you 3 days to prepare, old man.”
Dad coughs slightly on his coffee, “Three days!?”
I nod, “Taha and I want to be married when we face the coming situation.”
Zander grins, claps Taha on the back, then hugs me before asking, “And your tattoos?”
I smile in response, pointing to the side of my ring finger closest to my middle finger, in the center section, “Taha on mine, Bella on his.” I point to the opposite side, closest to my pinky, again in the center section of my finger, “The date of the wedding. You can perform them Friday night or Saturday morning, if you have the time and supplies. We’ll plan the ceremony for just before sunset Saturday. Taha told me he asked you.”
I shake my head as I suddenly realise something. “That means I’ll be useless around here for the next 3 days, though. I need to call all my girls and Avory.”
I give Taha a quick kiss, pat Zander’s shoulder, hug my dad, then hurriedly pull my phone out as I walk toward the house. I make a mass message, stating ‘Calling all imprints. Need help ASAP. Deadline is Saturday… as in 3 days from now,’ then attach a picture of the beautiful new ring on my finger.
My phone blows up within seconds with responses.
Lily: AH! Give me ten. I’ll come to you.
Sinopa: Congrats! Finishing my breakfast, be there in an hour!
Angie: OMG! I’ll grab Melody. Be there soon.
Melody: So pretty! Grabbing my purse. Meet you out front.
Then my phone rings, and I see Avory’s name. I pick it up, only to hear him practically squealing in glee. “See, Lovey? I told you that wolf of yours would propose soon.”
I chuckle, “That you did. You aren’t upset that you only have 3 days to finish?”
He assures me, “Darling, your dress was finished yesterday before Nova saw Taha and your Dad walking into Sarah’s jewelry store. My shop is in the same strip. All you have to do is try it on, so I can make sure no adjustments are needed. I’m packing everything in my car now. Can you shift and let Nova know I got the call? I’ll be on my way in 5 minutes.”
I let out a breath in relief, “You are a godsend, Avory. I’m determined to wear my ring for at least 12 hrs before I have to take it off to go coyote, so I’ll have Taha phase and let all the significant others know. I think Greg and Aiden are phased in, too. Zander knows already because he was talking to Dad when we came back into the yard. Drive careful, and I’ll see you soon.”
I turn and head back outside, the 3 men still talking. I stop and smile at my mate, then tug playfully on his tank, saying, “I need a favor, please. I’m going to have a house full of imprints. Will you please shift and let their significant others know? They should all be phased and patrolling their designated areas.”
He smiles down at my ring, then says, “I heard the last part of your conversation with Avory. Not taking it off until it’s time to hunt tonight?”
I grin and shake my head, “Nope. I don’t even want to take it off then, but I know I need the energy a hunt will provide. I can’t expect everyone else to stay in top form if I don’t expect the same of myself.”
He nods, kisses my lips, then says as he turns towards the woods, “I got it. So everyone’s here for the day. Just have the mates come here for dinner?”
I nod, “Yep. I have everything ready for the roasts to go into the crockpots. All I need to do is dump and season. We’ll have plenty.”
He smiles back at me, nods, then disappears into the woods.