Chapter Six

As we laid there in post-coital bliss, I came to the realization that I would have to return to my home and speak with my family. When I told this to Jacob, he instantly jumped from the bed and walked away. I wrapped the blanket around my body, suddenly feeling shameful in his presence.

"You want to leave."

I shook my head. "It's not like that Jacob. I have to let my family know that I'm okay. If I don't go back, they'll come looking for me. It won't be pretty. Just let me go and tell them what happened-"

"I don't like this. At least let me come with you." He offered. I shook my head and explained my father and the others would shoot him on sight. He sighed and reluctantly agreed but with the stipulation that if I was not back in three days, he would come to the village for me. Jacob showed me back to the main path, longing in his eyes as I left for home.

As soon as I emerged in the town square, I shed Jacob's cloak and walked towards my home. A voice called out to me and suddenly I was surrounded my by family, Riley and a hunting party. My mother was in tears as she held me. Riley walked in and asked for a bit of privacy and grabbed my arm, not waiting for an answer. He pulled me into him for a brief second before holding at arm's length.

"You're not hurt are you? That savage beast didn't harm you did he?" he asked, checking me over.

"I'm fine. Riley I'm fine. Jacob didn't hurt me." I said before I realized.

"You know his name?" Riley backed away, his eyes narrowing.

"I have to tell you something. I have to tell you all something." I turned back and faced the group that had formed and told them what Jacob told me about his people. When I finished, I had hoped they would see the truth and begin to make amends but I only succeeded in making myself look crazy. So my parents decided then to keep me in the home and move up the wedding. In their eyes, Jacob or my attacker as they'd grown fond of calling him had convinced me that he wasn't the savage beast they knew him and his people to be.

I was watched constantly, never allowed to be in my own bedroom or any room by my lonesome. The three days came and went. There was one brief moment when I was able to sneak away just for a moment. I got just far enough in the woods to hide a bag before Riley found me and dragged me back home. I kept looking for an opportunity to sneak out if just for a brief moment to send Jacob a message to say that I'm okay and will return, to not venture into our village for fear he may be shot.

A week had passed and my protection detail hadn't lessened any. Riley was my only visitor and most of those were spend with my father discussing village business or the affairs surrounding our future marriage.

This is what they were doing one night when I overheard them mentioning another raid into the woods. Since my return, my father, Riley and many other men combed the woods in the hopes of finding the wolves. They refused to believe that Jacob could phase from human to wolf at will. They were more inclined to believe that he was a wolf man of some sort. Riley was speaking about leading the hunt.

"He stole my fiancée away from our engagement party, our home for some sick reason. I want to ensure that he feels the pain and anguish I felt." He explained.

"I am most certain the others will grant you that honor." My father agreed.

I walked out and tried once more to explain that he was not a beast and if they found him in his wolf form, they would be murdering a human being.

"They are just trying to protect their land. It holds their history and we shouldn't be encroaching on it."

"Is that what that monster told you?" Riley turned his harsh gaze on me. I could tell he was getting fed up with me defending the people who attacked us on several occasions but someone needed to.

He softened his gaze and grabbed my hand, kissing it. "Why don't you get some rest? You'll only be here for a few more weeks. Enjoy this time with your parents and let me worry about the beasts."

I could tell he was attempting to pacify me and I knew I wouldn't win the fight. So I departed and formed my plan. Riley and the others would be leaving at first light. If I left right before them, I could search the forest and hopefully warn Jacob.

After grabbing a few more essentials that I kept with me, namely my knife, the whistle, and a few trinkets that Grams gave me over the years. I knew that once I left, I wouldn't be returning. I stayed by the window, wrapped up in both my cloak and his, waiting for the first light.

Eventually I felt my eyes starting to droop. I was fighting against the urge to just take a quick nap when I heard a tap-tap noise. Jacob was on the ledge of the tree outside my window, a warm smile on his face. I eased it open and back away as he jumped in; running back into his arms once he was completely in my room. I looked up at him and just broke down. I wanted him to know that I tried, tried to return, that I wasn't rejected him. "I know. I know. We can discuss it more later. Right now, we need to get out of here. Your hunters are all over the place." He turned towards the window and climbed out onto the limb. He turned and stretched out his hand to me. I grabbed it, amazed at the ease he exhibited as he jumped down, landing softly. He looked up at me and nodded, holding his arms out. I jumped down just as Riley called out my name.

"SAGE!"

Jacob swiftly pushed me behind him as he prepared to attack Riley with his knife. Riley moved to the left and sucker punched Jacob in the gut. He fell to the ground and the men started to move towards him when I reached out and grabbed Riley's gun. "If you want him, you'll have to go through me." I shouted, determined to protect him.

Riley rolled his eyes and reached out to grab the gun. When that didn't work, he tried to reason with me. "Sage, you can't...he's a beast and very dangerous."

"If you come near him again or even attempt to touch him, I will shoot. He is mine!"

"Sage, please. He's nothing more than a dog. One that needs to be put down."

"Then I'll die along with him, by his side." I stated fiercely.

Riley looked defeated for a second before giving it one last chance to convince me to stay. I raised the gun and pointed it at him when Jacob urged me to let it go.

"He isn't worth it." He advised.

So with one last look, I fled the village with Jacob. We stopped only to retrieve the bag I stashed and continued on, returning to his village. He escorted me, stopping when we reached a red cabin. The interior was dark so I couldn't see anything, only able to make out the vague shapes of furniture. I followed him down the hall and into his bedroom.

"So what will happen now?" I asked, shedding my cloak and shoes.

Jacob followed suit, stripping himself of his clothing, except for his pants.

"It's been a long day. We should get some rest. Tomorrow we can figure out the rest."