Finding Truth Behind Legends
by Wizardtho
Chapter 48:
When Avory and I make it to everyone else, we find the dining room tables have been made into a fruit station. I look into the basket that holds the ripe raspberries, then smile widely, “Oh, good… there will be enough left over to make Shelly that batch of preserves as a thank you for the bunk set upstairs. I made the apple butter last week with the unneeded apples from breakfast.”
I pop one into my mouth, then hum, “Oh, that’s really good.”
Taha peeks his head into the dining room, so I meet him at the side door. Giving him a kiss, I ask, “Would you rather have a spiced cake with peach filling and cinnamon flavored frosting, or a vanilla bean cake with raspberry filling and white chocolate flavored frosting?”
He thinks for a second, then asks, “I know it’s more work, but can we not have both?”
I chuckle, “We are having both in the form of 100 large cupcakes. I just need to know what you prefer for the small personal cake we cut together.”
He grins, “In that case, definitely peach.” After pulling me into a steamy kiss and giving me the sexiest smirk, he turns and walks away. I notice belatedly that Zander had been calling him while I was lost in our kiss.
The morning progresses with little notice as batch after batch of cupcakes bake, fruit fillings bubble and thicken on the stove, and light-hearted chatter fills the air. I only notice the time when the first shift change of the day takes place, as Aiden walks into the dining room with eyes only for Melody. Without a word to anyone, he stops in front of her, cups her cheek, and rests his forehead against hers as he closes his eyes.
Melody blushes in response, but she sighs happily as she returns the sentiment. After a long moment, Aiden pecks Melody’s lips softly and whispers to her, “You look pretty today. I missed you this morning.”
Melody’s blush brightens as she ducks her head, “I missed you, too… and thanks. I just threw this on when I got Bella’s text this morning.”
Without taking his eyes from Melody’s, Aiden then says, “Congratulations, Miss Bella.”
I chuckle in response as I shake my head, “Go on, you two. Go spend a few minutes together. We’re due for a lunch break anyway.”
They are out the door before I even finish my sentence, a call of, “Thanks,” on both their lips.
Unsurprisingly, Leah is not far behind them, dashing out the door without a word to anyone. I would bet anything she is on her way to find Theo, especially with the grin on her face just before she shifts on the fly. She reaches the trees only seconds after she lands on 4 paws, her shredded clothing still making its way to the ground.
Though my little buddy had been snacking on fruit all morning, at the mention of lunch, Kai’s eyes practically light up. I ruffle his hair a bit with a chuckle, “Are you sure you can even hold any more food in your belly, Kai?”
His eyes get even wider as he promises, “It’s not full yet. I have room for lunch, Miss Bella.”
I have to stifle my chuckle at the look on his face, so I look over his shoulder at Lily. She nods her head, saying in all seriousness, “My son takes after his father… endless pit. Ahanu and the council have tracked what they can... even talked to other tribes about it... and it seems to have happened this way with anyone who finds their spirit form before they have a child.”
We walk into the kitchen as she explains, “Okay… so if Zander hadn’t found his coyote before I got pregnant with Kai, my pregnancy would have been the human-type of normal. Since he was an active coyote when I got pregnant, my symptoms were all stronger, and I was constantly putting food in my mouth after my morning sickness died down. Kai was strong, too… his movements were all strong, I mean. If he would kick unexpectedly, it would sometimes steal my breath for a split second and make me gasp. That’s why we’ve all been so worried about this little Mama here.”
I smile at Sinopa, who is snacking on some cake scraps and tea. She gives me a bright smile while popping a piece of cake in her mouth. Lily notes, “Kimbal was already a coyote when Sinopa got pregnant. Her morning sickness was so violent that we were worried she would miscarry. Now that she seems to be rid of the constant sickness, she’ll need all the calories she can get to nourish that little one. The children of active shifters are always slightly accelerated… in growth, learning, tolerances, and yes, hunger. Keeping their bellies full seems to be an endless battle. It's nothing that would give a human physician pause, but they would definitely be labeled advanced for their age.”
She pulls the lunch she made for Kai from the fridge, and I’m still surprised at how much food is there when she places it on the dining room table for him. Kai smiles up at his mom, then digs into his treasure trove of food; a very thick deli meat sandwich, a quart-sized bag of carrot sticks, 2 pudding cups, and his cup full of juice.
Lily kisses the top of his head, then whispers as she stands next to me, “All that will be gone by the time he’s ready to leave the table… and he won’t get up if he’s still hungry.”
Right then, we hear voices outside, so I look up to see Avory pulling Nova into a steamy kiss. When the kiss ends, Nova looks completely baffled, which causes Avory to dash inside through the house. Lily and I look at each other in shock, then I blurt out, “Oh, shit. I think this is my fault, so I’ll explain to Nova. Go settle Avory, please.”
I walk outside, then grab Nova’s arm as I walk toward the woods. On the way, I unfortunately take my ring off and hand it to Taha, noting seriously, “I’ll be back for this in just a few minutes. Don’t go anywhere.”
Taha nods and gives me a curious look, but I explain to Nova as we near the woods, “I’m so sorry. I think I screwed up. It’s best if you just see our conversation before you go to him.”
Once we are inside the treeline and shifted, I think to him, I’m really sorry. I hated seeing Avory so upset, and it just came out. I didn’t think about warning you before you got here. Just… look.
Nova was growling slightly with how upset he was, and debating on whether he should be here or running after Avory. I opened my thoughts wide, and assured him it would answer his questions.
I replayed the entirety of our time in my bedroom this morning. Nova’s growling tripled when he heard Avory telling about the phone calls and his parents’ treatment, but when I got to my part, Nova’s growling completely cut off.
He watched intently as I told Avory my thoughts, then surprisingly gave an internal cheer at my comparison with my dad and how I needed to be worth more than a prejudice or inability to understand.
When the thoughts end, showing a final clip of him seeming lost as we converse through the morning, I shake my head and whisper, I’m sorry. I should have warned you that my mouth ran away from me this morning.
He shakes his head while thinking, No… he was telling me, Bella. He was telling me in that kiss that he chose me, and I missed it. I missed his important revelation, and that’s why he ran. I… thank you. I have to go to him.
I turn quickly as Nova shifts, giving him privacy to dress, but hear him running only seconds later. I look, only to see he’s left his shirt and shoes, and he barely has his pants buttoned as he runs across the yard. Before I can say a word, Taha is to me, promising, Your ring is safe with Sinopa. I had to be sure. Nova was growling, and I needed to know you were okay.
I rub my side against his, then offer, Let’s give them time. Since I’m already shifted, how about we go for a hunt now? Maybe we can find Theo and Leah.
He chuckles, Still haven’t asked her yet, have you?
I shake my head, I don’t want to force her to face something she might not be ready to admit, if they are indeed mates. I’ve already made one situation more complicated today, let’s not shoot for another.
He laughs while touching his muzzle to mine, Nova and Avory will be fine. They are making up on the front porch bench as we speak. Come on, Little coyote. Let’s go for that hunt.
When Avory and I make it to everyone else, we find the dining room tables have been made into a fruit station. I look into the basket that holds the ripe raspberries, then smile widely, “Oh, good… there will be enough left over to make Shelly that batch of preserves as a thank you for the bunk set upstairs. I made the apple butter last week with the unneeded apples from breakfast.”
I pop one into my mouth, then hum, “Oh, that’s really good.”
Taha peeks his head into the dining room, so I meet him at the side door. Giving him a kiss, I ask, “Would you rather have a spiced cake with peach filling and cinnamon flavored frosting, or a vanilla bean cake with raspberry filling and white chocolate flavored frosting?”
He thinks for a second, then asks, “I know it’s more work, but can we not have both?”
I chuckle, “We are having both in the form of 100 large cupcakes. I just need to know what you prefer for the small personal cake we cut together.”
He grins, “In that case, definitely peach.” After pulling me into a steamy kiss and giving me the sexiest smirk, he turns and walks away. I notice belatedly that Zander had been calling him while I was lost in our kiss.
The morning progresses with little notice as batch after batch of cupcakes bake, fruit fillings bubble and thicken on the stove, and light-hearted chatter fills the air. I only notice the time when the first shift change of the day takes place, as Aiden walks into the dining room with eyes only for Melody. Without a word to anyone, he stops in front of her, cups her cheek, and rests his forehead against hers as he closes his eyes.
Melody blushes in response, but she sighs happily as she returns the sentiment. After a long moment, Aiden pecks Melody’s lips softly and whispers to her, “You look pretty today. I missed you this morning.”
Melody’s blush brightens as she ducks her head, “I missed you, too… and thanks. I just threw this on when I got Bella’s text this morning.”
Without taking his eyes from Melody’s, Aiden then says, “Congratulations, Miss Bella.”
I chuckle in response as I shake my head, “Go on, you two. Go spend a few minutes together. We’re due for a lunch break anyway.”
They are out the door before I even finish my sentence, a call of, “Thanks,” on both their lips.
Unsurprisingly, Leah is not far behind them, dashing out the door without a word to anyone. I would bet anything she is on her way to find Theo, especially with the grin on her face just before she shifts on the fly. She reaches the trees only seconds after she lands on 4 paws, her shredded clothing still making its way to the ground.
Though my little buddy had been snacking on fruit all morning, at the mention of lunch, Kai’s eyes practically light up. I ruffle his hair a bit with a chuckle, “Are you sure you can even hold any more food in your belly, Kai?”
His eyes get even wider as he promises, “It’s not full yet. I have room for lunch, Miss Bella.”
I have to stifle my chuckle at the look on his face, so I look over his shoulder at Lily. She nods her head, saying in all seriousness, “My son takes after his father… endless pit. Ahanu and the council have tracked what they can... even talked to other tribes about it... and it seems to have happened this way with anyone who finds their spirit form before they have a child.”
We walk into the kitchen as she explains, “Okay… so if Zander hadn’t found his coyote before I got pregnant with Kai, my pregnancy would have been the human-type of normal. Since he was an active coyote when I got pregnant, my symptoms were all stronger, and I was constantly putting food in my mouth after my morning sickness died down. Kai was strong, too… his movements were all strong, I mean. If he would kick unexpectedly, it would sometimes steal my breath for a split second and make me gasp. That’s why we’ve all been so worried about this little Mama here.”
I smile at Sinopa, who is snacking on some cake scraps and tea. She gives me a bright smile while popping a piece of cake in her mouth. Lily notes, “Kimbal was already a coyote when Sinopa got pregnant. Her morning sickness was so violent that we were worried she would miscarry. Now that she seems to be rid of the constant sickness, she’ll need all the calories she can get to nourish that little one. The children of active shifters are always slightly accelerated… in growth, learning, tolerances, and yes, hunger. Keeping their bellies full seems to be an endless battle. It's nothing that would give a human physician pause, but they would definitely be labeled advanced for their age.”
She pulls the lunch she made for Kai from the fridge, and I’m still surprised at how much food is there when she places it on the dining room table for him. Kai smiles up at his mom, then digs into his treasure trove of food; a very thick deli meat sandwich, a quart-sized bag of carrot sticks, 2 pudding cups, and his cup full of juice.
Lily kisses the top of his head, then whispers as she stands next to me, “All that will be gone by the time he’s ready to leave the table… and he won’t get up if he’s still hungry.”
Right then, we hear voices outside, so I look up to see Avory pulling Nova into a steamy kiss. When the kiss ends, Nova looks completely baffled, which causes Avory to dash inside through the house. Lily and I look at each other in shock, then I blurt out, “Oh, shit. I think this is my fault, so I’ll explain to Nova. Go settle Avory, please.”
I walk outside, then grab Nova’s arm as I walk toward the woods. On the way, I unfortunately take my ring off and hand it to Taha, noting seriously, “I’ll be back for this in just a few minutes. Don’t go anywhere.”
Taha nods and gives me a curious look, but I explain to Nova as we near the woods, “I’m so sorry. I think I screwed up. It’s best if you just see our conversation before you go to him.”
Once we are inside the treeline and shifted, I think to him, I’m really sorry. I hated seeing Avory so upset, and it just came out. I didn’t think about warning you before you got here. Just… look.
Nova was growling slightly with how upset he was, and debating on whether he should be here or running after Avory. I opened my thoughts wide, and assured him it would answer his questions.
I replayed the entirety of our time in my bedroom this morning. Nova’s growling tripled when he heard Avory telling about the phone calls and his parents’ treatment, but when I got to my part, Nova’s growling completely cut off.
He watched intently as I told Avory my thoughts, then surprisingly gave an internal cheer at my comparison with my dad and how I needed to be worth more than a prejudice or inability to understand.
When the thoughts end, showing a final clip of him seeming lost as we converse through the morning, I shake my head and whisper, I’m sorry. I should have warned you that my mouth ran away from me this morning.
He shakes his head while thinking, No… he was telling me, Bella. He was telling me in that kiss that he chose me, and I missed it. I missed his important revelation, and that’s why he ran. I… thank you. I have to go to him.
I turn quickly as Nova shifts, giving him privacy to dress, but hear him running only seconds later. I look, only to see he’s left his shirt and shoes, and he barely has his pants buttoned as he runs across the yard. Before I can say a word, Taha is to me, promising, Your ring is safe with Sinopa. I had to be sure. Nova was growling, and I needed to know you were okay.
I rub my side against his, then offer, Let’s give them time. Since I’m already shifted, how about we go for a hunt now? Maybe we can find Theo and Leah.
He chuckles, Still haven’t asked her yet, have you?
I shake my head, I don’t want to force her to face something she might not be ready to admit, if they are indeed mates. I’ve already made one situation more complicated today, let’s not shoot for another.
He laughs while touching his muzzle to mine, Nova and Avory will be fine. They are making up on the front porch bench as we speak. Come on, Little coyote. Let’s go for that hunt.