Legend Has It Book I ~{COMPLETE}~

Chapter 22 The Museum

The seed was planted. When Phoenix and Mr. Cook came back out from the back of the store, I was looking at the wedding sets. I had no intention of pretending I wasn’t.

“Did you find anything you like, Miss Triplett?” Mr. Cook inquired, seeming to know what I was up to.

“Oh yes, I definitely want the moon pendant and a chain at a length that will hang about here,” I indicated the base of my throat.

“Ah, perfect,” he told me. “Would you like to wear it out?”

“Yes, please.”

We finalized my purchase and I reminded Phoenix of Ivy’s. My mind was back on my parents’ belongings but I needed a snack.

I suddenly felt emotional, thinking about my parents’ things. “Please don’t leave me again until after we—,” I choked up a little.

“I won’t,” Phoenix promised, giving my hand a reassuring squeeze. If he knew what I was thinking without my being Marked, what would it be like after I was?

The thought didn’t scare me. In fact, I looked forward to it. We already seemed to have a strong Mate Bond and then there was the Blood Pact. My thoughts led me to thanking the Goddess I wasn’t a mere human or I might be locked up in some psychiatric ward.

Ivy’s smelled delicious! I detected fresh ground wheat flour, sugar, yeast and other ingredients baking. I was momentarily taken back to Willow Tree and baking with Juanita. I remembered thinking I was half crazy for hearing a voice in my head.

We ordered a sampler of sammiches advertised as being made from in house baked bread, and found a seat.

“Do werewolves ever… go crazy?” I asked Phoenix, who arched a dark brow at me.

“Why? Do you think you’re going crazy?” He teased me.

“No, not since I found out what I was. I was just thinking about the days before I knew. The smell of deliciousness here reminded me of baking with Juanita and the days when I heard a voice in my head and wondered if I was crazy.”

“You heard your wolf that young?” He asked.

At my nod, he continued answering my question. “It’s been known to happen, usually in those unfortunate enough to host a rogue wolf.” Phoenix then told a few stories of unfortunate ones. Usually the wolf wanted to control the mind and body was considered the crazy one and sometimes, the wolf had to be sedated, or killed; the latter usually resulting in death of the human, too.

“I’m moderately concerned,” he admitted, “that our wolves tried to control us, so as soon as you’re up to it, we’re going to have that family gathering to get you introduced and to discuss it with them.”

We finished the delicious sandwiches and prepared to head to the museum.

{~>*•*<~}

I felt a lot more calm and collected than I probably should have when we arrived at the museum. Having Phoenix beside me just made everything better. I knew he probably had work to do, but here he was with me.

The museum reminded me of the sandstone castle of the Smithsonian. A lot of the buildings in Death Moon resembled castles and Victorian era homes.. Those two styles seemed to be the favorites, but I noticed several buildings also made of what appeared to be brick.

We were greeted at the door by the curator. A thirty some odd year old nerdy type female I suspected was still mateless.

“Alpha Phoenix, Miss Triplett, I’m Anne and hope to make this visit as pleasant for you as possible.” Her demeanor was a little dry, but her type was the same on Earth. They usually had more books than anyone else, about 2.5 cats they treated like royalty, and a case of social awkwardness. She made me wonder if werewolves kept pets?

“Thank you for arranging this, Anne. My mate and I greatly appreciate it.” Anne wriggled her nose. She seemed embarrassed like most introverts would be.

“I, uh, completely understand the circumstances,” Anne spoke as she led us across the lobby accented by a skeletal display and maps. Lots of maps I realized, acting as guides to the museum. “I can’t possibly imagine what it’s like for you, Miss Triplett, but I think you’ll be pleased to know the artifacts, under the direction of Alpha Khane, have been temperature controlled the last 18 years and are in very good shape considering the hell that happened.”

“Ah, good,” Phoenix nodded approvingly. “I was afraid the old bastard might have had things shoved in a musty old closet.”

“There are no musty old closets here under my care, Alpha Phoenix,” Anne bristled a little.

“My apologies,” he said. “That was a jab at my father, not you. I know you take great pride in your work here.”

“Thank you for noticing, I appreciate that. I took the liberty of ordering a book compiled of the writings the Historians wrote about your homeland, Ms. Triplett. Some of it is gruesome, you obviously know how things ended, but there are stories you may enjoy reading someday.” She handed me a copy.

“Oh my goddess!” I beamed at her. “Thank you, yes, I most certainly would enjoy that.”

We took an elevator that opened up into another lobby, this time lined with several framed images and a bronze placard that read Silver Moon.

“These weren’t—in the,” my breath caught.

“Inventory,” Phoenix finished for me.

“When we heard you were found, Miss Triplett, I had these images enlarged from an old set of books gifted a couple of centuries ago to Alpha Leonard McClaran, a distant grandfather of you, Alpha Phoenix, by Alpha Frederick Triplett, a distant grandfather to you, Miss—“

“Mary!” Phoenix stared in awe the same as I had been since I first saw her smiling down from the wall.

Anne paused in whatever she’d been saying, “Who?” She questioned.

“Uh, sorry, I was uh, thinking about how I plan to marry my mate under an arch like that.” Indeed, the scene in the frame appeared to be of a wedding party, set under a flower adorned arch, with two of the blurrier faces somewhat resembling Catherine and Francis. “Can you reach out to my mother and see if she is still going to meet us here?”

Anne eyed him a bit suspiciously, but gestured towards a glass door at the end of the wall. “My pleasure, Alpha. You’ll find more through there.”

When the elevator doors had closed with Anne inside, Phoenix muttered, “Look at that necklace. Does that look like the moon phases to you!”

I had already noticed. The image was blurry, but yes, could be the moon phases. “The plot thickens,” I think I said.

“Let’s go see if the originals are through that door,” he gave my shoulders a gentle squeeze.

The bistro set was the first thing I noticed after we walked through the door Anne had indicated. It had been placed on a platform in typical museum display style with a spotlight aimed at the case resting on the table. Three books had been placed on a mini shelf mounted to the platform and two podiums on either side of the platform each held a book. A display case on the wall behind the table held the jewelry.

“Babe, look,” Phoenix pulled me out of my mental inventory of what was recorded to have been there. I was just wondering where my mother’s dress was when he turned me to look at another platform behind us.

There, on what I figured was a mannequin, posed as if in mid step of a dance, was my mother’s dress. A beautiful, shimmery silver with a fitted bust and full, ballroom style skirt, slowly spinning on the platform to a soft melody and lit up with tiny dancing lights reflected off a disco ball placed above it. I felt tears well up as the beauty of the dress mesmerized me.

Phoenix pulled me into his arms. “Thou are surely the fairest maiden at this ball. Would thou humor me, a lowly peasant, for a dance?” He began to move softly to the music and I was forever grateful to him for this.

“Thank you,” I murmured.

“No, thank you,” he replied, pulling back just enough to make eye contact, “for allowing me to bear witness to this most personal day of your life. I suddenly have a lot more respect for things I have taken for granted.”

I felt a smile through my tears. “I haven’t even seen the photo album yet and I’m already crying,” I sniffled.

He gently took my chin so I couldn’t look away. “You are stronger than you know and I am completely humbled by your bravery,” his words caused my eyes to water more and I realized his eyes were red, too. “You have changed my life for the better and I’m here for you.”

“Let’s go see the photo album,” he suggested and turned back toward the platform.

The album was indeed photos of my parents on their wedding day. Nothing was written on the photos to indicate who the guests were, but my parents were obvious in their wedding attire. You could tell both were so in love and I noticed that my father looked at my mother the same way Phoenix looked at me.

“You look just like her, Gen, but with your father’s red hair and green eyes,” Phoenix remarked as we heard the elevator door.

Anne found us seated at the bistro table, me on Phoenix’s lap. “Your mother is in her way, Alpha Phoenix,” she announced in her awkward way. “That is such a beautiful set,” she said, plucking a book off one of the podiums. “I did this write up on it:

We believe this 3 piece cast iron set was made by a cousin or nephew of Luna Allyson Triplett. There’s mention by a historian (see figure A) that a young relative practiced and practiced his skills on tools and cookware before making this. Records indicate Luna Triplett had both a cousin and a nephew with the same initials. If anyone happens to notice tools, cookware, or other cast iron stamped with the initials AAS, similar to what’s pictured below (see figure B), you may have a piece made by the same blacksmith. Please feel free to send photos to Anne Simons at the museum.

“Maybe more pieces will turn up. Records indicate other common household items were found, but weren’t considered related to the Alpha and Luna and were sold or donated.”

“Wow, thank you,” I told her. “Are you the one who set this display up?”

She nodded proudly and both Phoenix and complimented her on the excellent job she had done.

“I have carefully photographed everything, under the presumption you’ll want to take it home. This room will still house the resulting portraits and books, plus anything of yours you want to add. You’re famous, now, too, you know.”

I hadn’t really thought about that. “Did you say a book was ordered?” An idea was coming to mind.

“Ordered to be compiled. It’s not finished yet. I was actually hoping to include some things about you, Miss Triplett.” I doubted she knew yet that Phoenix and I had Legendary wolves since everyone seemed to know who I was, but no one had mentioned that yet.

Anne had done such an excellent job on the display with the few surviving items that I couldn’t bear, at least at this moment, to disturb it.

“For now,” I started, trying to think faster than I spoke, “If you can get me copies of all these books, I’m going to leave everything here.” Both Phoenix and Anne arched their brows a little. “I’m still new here and not sure where these things fit into my life. You have done such a beautiful job with this display— I hate to disturb it. I may change my mind, but at this point, I think I just want to read these books and help complete the new one.” Phoenix nodded in a ‘this is your decision’ manner and Anne seemed so excited I thought she might jump from her skin.

We heard the elevator and Phoenix took on his Alpha persona. “That will be my mother. Anne, if you will excuse us, we’d like some family time.”

“Uh, absolutely, Alpha.”

“Please don’t mention any more than you already have about the book to anyone other than me or Gen, ok? Let’s make this a surprise.”

Anne agreed and thanked me profusely for agreeing to help with the book. I had a feeling she was going to be quite surprised by things she might learn, but, I knew I didn’t need to tell her everything. We still had answers to find. I took my mate’s lead and put on a Luna persona.

“If anyone sends photos of any stamped cast iron, I will happily negotiate a price. Thank you for not stating you were looking to buy. I’m sure that will drive up the price.” I ushered her along to the elevator, past a gaping Stella. “Thank you again. I’ll be in touch.”

“That’s her and that’s the necklace,” I heard Stella whisper after the elevator took Anne away.