Chapter Four
Over the next couple of days, my mother threw herself into planning the festivities for our engagement party. Word quickly spread through the village that Riley was no longer available and I was the recipient of many glares from the other young women. My mother held her head high and bragged to anyone who would listen about how he asked for my hand and the gifts he offered. Everyone around me felt ecstatic while I felt longing and loneness. I wanted to be back in the woods, searching for the one that made my heart skip a beat. The whistle he gave me was buried deep in my trunk along with my cloak. Once I was married to Riley, I wouldn't be allowed to have my adventures. Different things would be expected of me.
"I should run away. Just pack a bag and run into the woods, never looking back. I could stay with Grams." I fantasized about the life I could have if I did. But it was nothing more than just a fantasy. I knew I would never do it. And my father would come for me as soon as he realized I was gone. It was nice to dream but the reality was tonight I would be officially engaged to Riley. My mother walked in to look me over. She made me a new outfit for the merriment that would take place tonight. It was a rich black skirt and a white peasant shirt with a red waist corset. After making a few adjustments and tightening my corset, I was deemed ready.
As things got underway and the ale flowed, our community gathered to celebrate the moment to be shared by Riley and me. He couldn't keep his eyes off me as we danced and received well-wishes. About an hour and half into the party, the bells chimed and someone shouted out the wolves had breached the wall. Riley quickly found me and instructed me to return home and wait for him there.
The men quickly sobered up and grabbed arms as the women gathered their families and ran for safety. I did as well, locking the doors behind me. When I got into my room, I threw open my trunk and snatched up my knife and whistle. I opened my window and blew on it sharply though no sound came out. Loud snarls and growls filled the air as the wolves ascended on our town. Shots were fired but I didn't dare look. The animal sounds got closer and I swore I heard a wolf just outside my bedroom door. I hid under my bed and waited until the door flew open. I was preparing to come out and protect my home when I saw not the paws of a wolf but the feet of a human. I slipped out and came face to face with Jacob.
He quickly disarmed me and looked me over with dark eyes for a second before leaning down and pulling me into him for a kiss. It was soft but full of desire and an overwhelming sense of fullness. We just broke apart when my bedroom door opened once more, this time Riley filling the doorway.
"Sage! Back away; he came with the wolves."
Jacob gave me a half smile before turning and charging at Riley, sending him flying to the ground. Jacob then turned and gathered me in his arms, hopping out the window. As soon as his feet hit the ground, he adjusted me so I was no longer over his shoulders but cradled in his arms so I was shielded from the branches. When we reached an unfamiliar clearing, he placed me back on my feet. I shoved and attempted to return but was uncertain of the way we came.
"What was that? You could have hurt Riley or someone else."
"He'll be fine. If I wanted to, I could have killed him but I didn't. I left him there to be found by the others." He called out, continuing on into the woods. "Why are you so concerned about him? You love him or something?"
"I…well…you…he's supposed to be my husband."
"You didn't answer my question. Do you love him?" he turned and looked right at me.
"It's none of your business whether I love him or not."
Jacob shrugged and continued on. I followed after him and asked how he knew where I was.
"The whistle I gave you for one. It emits a frequency that someone like me can hear." He explained, walking into a cabin. I followed, watching him as he lit an oil lamp and shed his cloak. His arms were muscular but one of his forearms had a weird branding on his shoulder. I stepped closer and ran my fingers over it. He caught my eye and turned to face me.
"You asked me how I knew where you were. It's because you're my imprint, my mate. The only one in the world for me."
I sat down on the bed as he explained all of what he was and how I fit into his life. When he finished, I felt overwhelmed. There was so much that we didn't understand about the Quileute people. We believed they were using wolves to attack us when it wasn't wolves but spirit warriors instead. They were curious about the people living so close to their land.
