Chapter 23
The birds finally came from their shelter and began their songs by the time Jacob finally returned. He was as anyone might expect. His mood was still sour, his hair had grown and was dirty, he in general was dirty, and he made no effort to say a word to anyone upon his return. He overheard a violin in the background realizing Claire was still practicing, probably because it made her think of Renesmee. The instrument made him think of her all the more and the sound simply depressed him now. When he stepped into the tribe, his head held down and his eyes nearly empty, Embry walked over to him cautiously to welcome him back.
"You're back," Embry said.
"Father said I had until spring, so I came back in spring."
"You look horrible,"Embry said, attempting to lighten the mood.
"I look how I feel then," Jacob answered. Finally seeing Jacob, Sara stopped what she was doing and went right to him.
"Oh Jacob, look at you. You look like you've been playing in the mud." Jacob said nothing. "Come with me. That hair is certainly making your wolf uncomfortable. I'll cut that for you and then you can get yourself cleaned up. You smell like you've been eating nothing but meat. We should get some potatoes in you. Those will brighten your spirit."
Jacob stayed quiet and allowed Sara to pull him with her to her tent where Sara sheered Jacob's hair as best she could without hurting him, getting it as even as she could.
"I recall a little material I was told of that is supposed to make cutting hair much simpler. I believe they were…Cizors?"
"Scissors," Jacob corrected.
"Yes,Scissors. They certainly sound like a nice thing to have. Perhaps when the Meat Monger comes, you can ask for them."
"The Meat Monger hasn't come yet?"
"He should be here within a few days. Salmon season's started, so he should be hot on our tails."
"Yippidy fucking doo-dah," Jacob mumbled.
"What does that mean, dear?"
"Nothing, mom," Jacob answered with a sigh. "It's a nonsense word. It doesn't have a specific meaning. It's only used as a means of expressing joy or, in my case, annoyance at the prospect of seeing that beast again."
"Well, it's a good thing you got back before he got here. After that incident in winter, I don't want to think what he might try."
"If he knows what's good for him, he won't try anything." Sara patted Jacob's back after cutting away the last bit of long hair, leaving his hair short as it normally was.
"Your father will be pleased to see you're back."
"Where is he, by the way?"
"He's visiting your sisters. There's a dispute with the Makka or something along those lines. The messenger only spoke with your father."
"Nothing serious, I hope."
"I doubt it'll be serious. If they know we're siding with the Hou, I doubt the Makka will do anything."
"Good. I don't want to deal with them right now."
"We never do, dear," Sara said.
Three days later, Mitch (excluding Robert) came into the village with pounds of beef in his cart ready to trade for salmon the Quileute had caught recently. William had returned by then and, as Sara had predicted, whatever issue had been raised between the Hou and the Makka was readily settled once William made it clear the Quileute would side with the Hou. Jacob and William met him at the entrance of the village, Salmon ready assuming the quality of the beef was to Jacob's standards.
"Good Afternoon, Jacob," Mitch said.
"Where's your parrot?"
"My what?"
"The old man."
"Oh, you mean Robert. He passed away a few weeks ago, I'm afraid," Mitch said sadly. "Older than mother darling that man was, but he died in his sleep as anyone should." Jacob said nothing. "I see you're still a touch sore about Mrs. Wallis being taken back. I have to say, I'm shocked you all had her to begin with. Goodness, she was taken from Olympia wasn't it? How'd you get your hands on her?"
"You're here to trade beef for salmon, not to make small talk," Jacob said. Mitch took a deep breath.
"Well, down to business then." Mitch walked around the cart and uncovered the beef. It wasn't much, three rumps or so, but it was all they would need. This was used more as a trading commodity most of the time. Since the Quileute tribe was the closest to Forks, they were the ones that got the beef trade. At first smell, the meat smelled a little old, like it'd been butchered later than the day before. "Is something wrong?"
"They smell off. When were these butchered?"
"Two days ago," Mitch said. "The quality is the same as what we've kept, I assure you." Jacob got a little closer to the meat to get a better look and smell. The meat wasn't terrible. If they turned it into jerky right away, it would still taste good.
"It's appropriate," Jacob finally said. Jacob returned to the baskets they had of the salmon (that had been freshly butchered that morning) and weighed out approximately what Mitch had provided, leaving some of the salmon in the basket. Jacob brought that salmon to Mitch's cart and took the beef. William moved the salmon aside so Jacob could put the beef in the basket and rested the fish on top.
"Well, don't do that, you'll contaminate the taste," Mitch said.
"We're not worried about it, neither should you be."
"Well, I'm the one who has to sell it."
"You're not selling this. I already gave you the weight equivalent for the beef you provided."
"No, I need more, I can't go back with just this."
"Well you're going to have to. If you wanted more salmon, you should've brought more beef."
"I brought you plenty of beef! That's all the more such a small tribe needs, and you'll waste it by turning it into that dried meat crap anyway!" Rather suddenly, Jacob grabbed William's knife from his pants and pointed it right at Mitch, coming dangerously close to slitting the man's throat right there. "Whoa!" Mitch yelled, throwing his hands up defensively and everyone that saw the incident yelped a little in surprise. "Calm down, kid!"
"You got the salmon you earned," Jacob said. "Either take what we gave you or take nothing in exchange for the beef."
"Jacob, what's going on?" William asked.
"He's trying to say we're cheating him out of salmon."
"Jacob, calm down. I'm sure he gets the message."
"What are you two talking about?"
"The old man's taking pity on you," Jacob bit back. "Get out of here before I have a chance to disobey my father." Mitch started backing away and covering the salmon so bugs wouldn't get on it. After that, he got back on his cart and turned the cart around without another word. When Mitch was gone, Jacob took the meat where the freshly caught salmon was so everyone could start turning that into jerky. "Make sure to work on this right away," he said to the group he rested the meat next to. "We need to dry it before it goes bad." Having seen what happened, Sara rushed to Jacob's side.
"What happened back there?"
"The Meat Monger tried to say we were cheating him out of salmon, so I held a knife to his throat to make him go away."
"I take it you didn't ask him about getting scissors?"
"Didn't cross my mind," Jacob said before going into his tent to get some sleep.
They didn't hear from Mitch again for the remainder of salmon season, but that was fine with Jacob. After the beef was dried, a majority of it was brought to the Hou tribe in exchange for some clothes made from deer hide. Sara had insisted on going with William and Jacob to visit the Hou tribe with the intention of visiting her daughters and 7 grandchildren. They were pleased to discover that Rachael and Paul were now expecting their fourth child, likely due to be born during winter. While a session of trading would usually only take no more than an hour, Rebecca and Rachael insisted they all stay for dinner and Sara made it clear they weren't turning down the offer. During dinner, Sara occupied herself with speaking with her daughters and playing with the children, the oldest of whom was only seven. Jacob and William on the other hand were speaking with Quitahka and Paul, who were all too aware of what had happened to Jacob's wife.
"We were surprised to hear you had run off so suddenly," Quitahka said in reference to the incident. "Kayechiwetchwe told us what happened."
"I figured," Jacob said. "I needed time to myself. I wanted to be alone."
"I can imagine," Paul said. "Last we'd seen you, you were elated over the recent marriage. I can't believe she just revealed herself the way she did."
"It was either that or allow my parents to be shot," Jacob mumbled. No matter how upset he was, even he had to admit that Renesmee made the wiser of the two choices. It didn't make it hurt any less though.
"Indeed," Quitahka agreed. "I assume you'll go after her."
"The agreement of her going with them was that we weren't to be harmed. If I went after her, I risk the tribe's well being. All I can really do is hope that Claire is right and that she'll come back on her own when the time is right."
"How long will that take?"
"I don't know."
"Well, if she comes back of her own free will, they can't very well try to come after her. She wasn't kidnapped if she returned of her own free will."
"You can never be too sure with Pale Faces," Quitahka said. "They may well claim Renesmee returning is simply a sign you used some horrible magic on her or some nonsense like that."
"Well he did in a manner," Paul said. "That is how this 'imprinting' thing works for your people is it not?"
"I guess you could say that," Jacob shrugged and took a bite of his food.
"Forgive Jacob's mood," William said.
"No need," Quitahka said. "Were I in his position, I don't know if I could be as calm."
"I suppose it's good I appear so," Jacob responded.
He contributed little to the conversation from then on. William and Sara stayed with the Hou for the night while Jacob left after dinner and shifted into a wolf to join Embry and Quil. Jacob returned to the tribe early the next morning and just went right to bed. When Embry and Quil returned, Quil went to his tent to sleep and Embry went to Caevia, who was sitting near their tent working on some hide. Embry came up behind Caevia and kissed the back of her neck and wrapped his arms around her, resting his hands on her protruding belly. By now, she looked nearly ready to pop. Caevia smiled and turned her head to give him a kiss.
"How did the night go?"
"Uneventful. We weren't expecting Jacob to join us, but he did. He came back earlier than either me or Quil." Caevia sighed a little.
"I miss her too," Caevia said knowingly.
"I know," Embry said. He rubbed her belly a little more and kissed her neck again. "How much longer do you think it'll be until the baby is born?"
"It's still too soon," Caevia said. "I'll know the baby's on its way when I start feeling minor baby pains."
"Baby pains?" Embry asked, worried.
"It's pain that I get when I'm getting close to birthing. It happens to all women giving birth. There's minor pain shortly before the day and it gets greater when the baby's coming. You don't need to worry so much, Embry. I know what to expect."
"I don't know what to expect?"
Caevia smiled and patted Embry on the head. By this time, Caevia was waddling around, heavy with child just waiting to be born. It was a good time to have a baby. It wasn't usually sunny, but it was always warm. Even though it was a humid heat that to this day Caevia simply hated, but it was much better than bitter cold especially when there was a baby on the way. Summer was in full swing by the time Caevia finally started feeling some minor pain here and there. She recognized them as practice contractions. She didn't mention the contractions to Embry. She didn't want him worrying needlessly and it was nothing to worry about. She did, however, mention the contractions to Sokajili. He recognized and confirmed what she knew to be pre-contractions. He told her to keep mindful of the frequentness of these contractions and to have Embry come and get him once her water breaks. He also reminded her that she needed to give birth in hers and Embry's tent, otherwise it was bad luck. Several weeks went by of periodic contractions and Caevia waiting for her water to break, all the while only telling Embry that she knew she was getting close.
Caevia's water didn't break until late one night after Embry had already left to go on patrol. Caevia hadn't noticed until she was awoken by a painful contraction. She'd stepped outside to move around and try to ease the pain and then her water broke. It stopped her for a moment, but then she continued walking towards the woods. She had a feeling he would hear her if she called for him, so she kept walking until she was further into the woods and started calling Embry's name. Further in the woods, Quil was the one closest to the village, so he heard Caevia first. But once he heard Caevia, they all did.
Caevia's calling you, Quil said even though Embry had heard her and already started running back towards the village. He didn't stop until Caevia was in site and he shifted back into his human form.
"What's wrong? What's happening?" Embry asked in a state of panic.
"Embry, calm down, my water just broke. I wanted you with me."
"Well, I'm here. What do you need me to do?"
"Go tell Sokajili. I'll go back in the tent. Just let him know my water broke and he'll know what to do. The baby isn't likely to start coming until morning."
"Alright," Embry said before bolting for Sokajili's tent while Caevia went back into their tent. Embry forced Sokajili's door open and nearly landed on the man, forcing him to wake violently. "Sokajili help! Caevia's water broke!" Sokajili jumped and took a moment to breathe and calm down before speaking.
"Calm down, boy," Sokajili finally said. "She's in labor, not dying." Sokajili started forcing himself out of bed. "I'll be there in a minute and check her."
Embry left the tent, but he remained outside waiting for Sokajili to eventually come out. When he was taking too long for Embry's liking, though it could've been mere seconds for all he was aware, he forcefully patted on his leather door again to make him hurry. Despite Embry's eagerness, Sokajili didn't rush. He knew the man was a first time parent, but he needed to learn to relax in these situations. Especially if he and Caevia were going to have as many children as he claimed. When Sokajili finally came out, Embry ran to his tent with Sokajili meandering closely behind with all his herbal extracts ready to help calm Caevia down. At this point, all he could do was help keep her calm and comfortable. The baby wasn't likely to come for several hours. Caevia was already in the tent lying in bed waiting for them and Embry went right to her asking if she was alright. Thankfully, she was much calmer than Embry was.
"I'm alright, Embry. The first contraction is gone."
"So you're at a calm state at present?" Sokajili asked and Caevia nodded. With that said, Sokajili began the process of boiling a small pot of water so he could put it in a basket with the liquefied herbs specially made for calming a pregnant woman and her husband. It was a combination of wild flowers and some tree bark that always did wonders for calming a room. "I'm going to get some herbs in boiling water to help you both relax."
"I'm already calm, Sokajili." Caevia said.
"Yes, but your husband is not." They both looked at Embry, who indeed looked far less than calm. In fact, the man was jittery with nervous energy.
"It really is alright, Embry. We have time before the baby's born. I just wanted you here, that's all."
When he had the water boiling, Sokajili put some select herbs and flowers into a tightly woven basket and gently poured the hot water over them so the room smelled of the combination, creating a calming effect. After filling the room with the smell, Sokajili told them to relax and come get him again when the contractions were closer together. It was an hour of nothing really happening before Embry finally really calmed down. Another hour later, he fell asleep while holding Caevia in his arms. There was little sleep for Caevia, though. She would get a quick nap here and there, but a contraction always woke her up. She stayed pretty quiet the whole time, though. This part she'd been through many times before. She was looking forward to seeing her baby and finally getting to hold him or her in her arms. She was giddy with anticipation. It stayed that way until well into the early morning. Caevia would have a contraction that lasted a minute or so, and then it would go away and not come back for another thirty minutes. She didn't remember her labor lasting this long before. Embry slept through most of it. Caevia didn't mind in the least. Nothing was really happening that she needed him awake for just yet. And she was happy resting up against him while she waited out her contractions. Sokajili came by in the morning and wasn't too surprised she wasn't quite ready. He had shadowed labors that last well over a day so this wasn't strange to him thus far. It was only when it got into the second day when he saw cause for concern. Embry woke up mid-morning and was shocked the baby wasn't here yet.
"I didn't realize this would take so long," Embry said.
"This is longer than my other pregnancies. I wonder if it's because I'm more relaxed."
"So this isn't a bad thing?"
"It shouldn't be." The two made small talk, only interrupted when Caevia had a contraction, which were getting closer and closer together. By mid-morning, they were about ten minutes apart, showing she was almost ready. When Embry noticed Caevia was getting uncomfortable more often, he went right back to Sokajili's tent and nearly dragged the man out of his home to help. Sokajili insisted Embry calm down and he would be there in a moment. He retrieved all his necessary tools like blankets, fresh water, and a knife before going with Embry to their tent.
"Are you having a contraction right now, Caevia?" Sokajili asked when he arrived and put all his things down.
"Yes," Caevia answered.
"Prior to this one, when was your last contraction?"
"About two minutes ago."
"That baby will be here any minute, then." Sokajili took some of the warm water he'd been periodically refreshing with the calming herbs and diluted it in the cooler water that he'd use to clean the baby. He placed down several mats meant to keep the tent as clean as possible when the baby came out. Sokajili instructed Embry to sit behind Caevia and hold her in a slightly upright position while making sure her hips were still mostly horizontal on the mats he'd placed. From there, they waited until Caevia confirmed for Sokajili that there was no break between her contractions anymore and the pain was consistent. "I'm just going to take a quick look, Caevia," Sokajili said, checking Caevia's vaginal opening, seeing the baby was clearly on its way. "I want you to start pushing now, Caevia."
After taking a few deep breaths, Caevia did as Sokajili said and started pushing. Embry encouraged her and rested his hand on Caevia's stomach hoping to help her along. Two good pushes later, Sokajili gently pulled a little baby boy from Caevia in a torrent of blood and water with a loud cry following after. Caevia watched Sokajili take her little boy to the basket with water, cut the umbilical cord, and put her baby in water to clean him off. Almost out of instinct, Caevia started squirming and trying to reach for her baby.
"I'll give him to you in a moment, Caevia. I just need to clean him up," Sokajili said when he noticed Caevia was beginning to get antsy. Sokajili cleaned the last remnants off the baby before wrapping him in a warm blanket and finally handing him over to Caevia. The moment she was holding him, Caevia began to cry, her son ceasing his crying when he went right for her nipple to start feeding. She'd had so many, yet this was the first she'd ever been allowed to hold in her arms. He was so beautiful. He looked just like Embry.
"Embry," she said.
"Yes, Caevia?"
"That's his name," Caevia clarified. "I want to name him Embry." Embry was jubilant at their first child being named after him. Embry kissed Caevia's neck and watched as their son calmly enjoyed his first meal.
"I like it," he said and the two smiled.
While the new parents hovered over their new baby, Sokajili stepped outside, taking the freshly discarded placenta with him ready to deconstruct it and obtain any needed curative properties before burning what remained. As was apropos, everyone bustled over the news of a new baby joining their little tribe. Embry came out with the baby at one point, wanting to let Caevia get some much deserved rest and let those that wished to surround him to see the baby. Quil and Jacob managed to squeeze their way to the front, though Quil did so much faster and with far more enthusiasm.
"I heard it's a boy," Quil said.
"Yeah, we named him Embry. She wanted to name him after me."
"Well, it's a good name. He looks just like you anyway, so it's certainly a worthy name." Embry and Quil chatted a little more by the time Jacob came to the front of the curious hoard. When he looked at the little baby in Embry's arm, he managed a laugh.
"It's certainly yours," Jacob joked. "It's like looking at a smaller you."
"That's what Caevia said too," Embry smiled. "I just wish mom could've seen him."
"She would've been proud," Quil affirmed while patting Embry's back.
Embry stayed outside with the baby for several hours until the baby started crying again. One woman instantly suggested that a growing boy gets hungry often and Caevia needed to feed him again. So Embry took their son back inside and reluctantly woke Caevia to feed the baby. She didn't mind in the slightest.
Further away, Sgt. Lovejoy was back in Seattle at the military base. Upon his, Mitchell's and Harrison's return, they told everyone all about the tumultuous journey they'd just been on, Sgt. Lovejoy sure not to leave out a single detail especially with regards to Mr. Wallis's behavior. He even told of how the poorly misguided Mrs. Wallis had somehow grown fond of her captors. Everyone was abashed at how a tribe from all the way in Forks could possibly have kidnapped a woman in Olympia, though at this point such details were completely irrelevant. What was relevant was that Mrs. Wallis was with the Quileutes. Everyone was most intrigued, however, by Sgt. Lovejoy's tale of the young man that had nearly killed him for narrowly shooting a woman. Sgt. Lovejoy forgot to mention she was pregnant, though Mitchell stepped in to remind him.
"I'm surprised you let the boy get away with that," one man said to Sgt. Lovejoy after his tale was concluded.
"He'd destroyed my weapon. There was little else I could do at the time. From what I saw, taking Mrs. Wallis was punishment in itself."
"Still, he assaulted an officer. That's reason enough for a hanging."
"Yes, but that boy wouldn't go easily. I'd need at least four men with me and it seems silly to bring people with me on what accounts for more of a personal errand than a service to the United States."
"You wouldn't need to go yourself. You could probably convince the Lt. Sgt. to put a warrant out for the man's arrest. He'd be hanged at the gallows over in Forks easily enough."
"No," Sgt. Lovejoy said, "the people of Forks wouldn't. The poor bastards are scared shitless of that boy. I would have to do it myself." Sgt. Lovejoy stood from the table to walk away.
"Something wrong Sergeant?"
"I'll just be having a chat with the Lt. Sgt. You're right; assaulting an officer is a punishable offense by hanging."
Seeking punishment for the officer assaulting Quileute boy wasn't quite as quick as Sgt. Lovejoy had initially anticipated. The Lt. Sgt. was hesitant to allow Sgt. Lovejoy to go, especially with additional men, given how long his last trip to Forks had taken when searching for the missing Mrs. Wallis. Sgt. Lovejoy explained the situation though the Lt. Sgt. was well aware of the story by now. He could only assure Sgt. Lovejoy that he would bring the matter up with their superiors and get back to him. That alone took roughly two months for him to get anything back. That day when the answer had finally come, Sgt. Lovejoy went to the Lt. Sgt.'s office to be told that, while they would permit Sgt. Lovejoy to go reprimand the uppity Squaw, but it would have to be by himself. They simply didn't see the need for there to be any additional men sent to what was essentially a simple assault arrest.
"Do you think you'll be alright on your own?" someone asked Sgt. Lovejoy as he got himself ready to leave.
"I'll have to ask for help. I'm sure I can get one or two people to volunteer to help me once I'm in Forks. It may be a small police force, but they have some kind of a police force."
"Well, good luck to you, Sgt. Lovejoy. Try to get back soon."
"I will; no need to worry."
All alone, Sgt. Lovejoy left Seattle and went north around the mountain to Port Angeles where he rested at the base there. He explained his reason for returning, though he could not convince anyone to come with him or convince the higher ups to permit anyone to come with him. It was an arrest. He didn't need an army for that, or so the higher ups argued. He stayed in Port Angeles for about two days making sure he and his horse would have everything needed for the remainder of the trip. They all wished him luck on the journey and Sgt. Lovejoy left on his way to Forks. He arrived in Forks two days later and everyone was surprised to see him. He welcomed himself into the inn that he'd used before and was sure to pay for the room this time around. He would only be there for a night or two anyway.
"What brings you back?" the sheriff of town said when Sgt. Lovejoy let himself into the police station.
"I'm here to arrest Jacob. When last we'd been here, he'd assaulted me when I'd been making my investigation. That is against the law and I endeavor to arrest him and bring him back to Seattle to be hung at the gallows."
"Well," the sheriff slightly chuckled, "good luck with that."
"Perhaps you might lend me the hand of a few of your men?"
"Oh no," the sheriff said. "No, no, no. After you took Mrs. Wallis away, that Jacob has turned sour as old milk. Our trading relationship with them was already fragile and I fear your visit made things all the worse. If you're going to try and reprimand the Chief's son, I'll have nothing to do with it. I'll not ruin the trading agreement any further."
"Do the good people of Forks value their salmon that much?"
"When you live in the boonies with little other options for trade with regards to fresh food, yes, yes we do. We might not care much for the Quileutes but our meat production is very little most of the year. We don't have many cows for beef and we can't even give the Quileutes the sick ones like we'd planned. That boy Jacob is either too smart for that or has the nose of a bloodhound. I'll give you weapons and handcuffs if you need them, but I fear that's all I can offer."
"I suppose that's all I can expect from a people whipped like pigs." Sgt. Lovejoy went to a hook and grabbed the handcuffs he'd been offered. "I'm sure," Sgt. Lovejoy pressed on, "that were I to rid your people of Jacob it would make relations with the Quileutes much easier. He seems to be the only one that makes that tribe capable of defending themselves."
"I wouldn't say that. He's just the most volatile of the tribe."
"All the more reason to arrest him then," Sgt. Lovejoy said. "He's clearly been a thorn in your sides as well as mine."
"Do as you please, Sgt. Lovejoy."
"Indeed," he said as he walked out. "Perhaps once your people are rid of him, you won't cower at their feet."
With all the things he'd need, Sgt. Lovejoy left the station and mounted his horse to make his way to the reservation. At the moment, Caevia was among the women helping with clothes, though she stopped her work the moment Embry began to cry for her attention. She lifted the little baby into her arms, continuing a conversation she was having with the ladies, and proceeded to feed him. Jacob was at the water with Quil and Embry senior fishing for some shallow water fish. Claire was close to them, continuing to practice and trying to do what she remembered of The Devil's Trill. Any talking was done almost entirely by Embry and Quil. Jacob spoke little these days. Seth and Leah were closer towards the entrance of the village tanning some hides Seth had caught them. It had been the first time he'd gone hunting with the other men and he was proud of his catch. While they worked, they were the first to notice Sgt. Lovejoy coming in the distance.
"Is that Sgt. Lovejoy?" Seth asked Leah.
"Get Jacob," was all she said. Seth ran to the water as Leah told her and yelled Jacob's name. In the distance, Sgt. Lovejoy smirked a little. There would be no time for them to properly counter with him so close. Having gotten Jacob to look at him, Seth took a breath and said what he needed to say.
"Lovejoy's here!" was all Seth got out. Jacob grasped his spear tighter and nearly growled.
"Son of a Bitch, what does he want now!" Jacob yelled before walking to the entrance where he could now clearly see Lovejoy approaching. He noticed the man was alone, though whether that mattered or not depended entirely on whether or not he was there to cause the Quileutes harm. Sgt. Lovejoy pulled the reigns of his horse to make it stop and Jacob went before the man with a grimace and his spear in hand. "What do you want?"
"Lay down your spear, Jacob. You're under arrest for assaulting an officer of the law." A moment passed. Jacob looked at him amused.
"You can't arrest me, Lovejoy. Renesmee went with you under the specific understanding that you were not to harm me or my people. Arresting me would hurt my people very much."
"What Mrs. Wallis doesn't know won't hurt her. Besides, an agreement with a woman suffering from delusions of caring for the likes of you holds no legal president over someone breaking the law. Had I the proof you had taken her in the first place, I'd have you arrested for kidnapping. Though regardless of the reason, the sentence will be a hanging." To Sgt. Lovejoy's irritation, Jacob smirked. Quil and Embry noticed the smirk though were unsure what he could possibly be laughing about. "You find something amusing about that?"
"Not amusing, Lovejoy," Jacob said, "Just relieved."
"Well, I'm relieved you're cooperating." Sgt. Lovejoy began to get down from his horse and get the handcuffs and rope, getting ready to force Jacob back to Seattle on foot.
"What's going on?" Embry asked when Sgt. Lovejoy was getting ready.
"He's trying to take me to Seattle to hang me."
"Why are you so happy then?" Quil asked.
"Because they went back on their side of the bargain," Jacob answered. "When I snap my fingers, you change into a wolf." There was no time to ask Jacob if he was sure he wanted to do that since Lovejoy was already approaching him. Mere feet away from him, Jacob snapped his fingers and all three of them turned to wolves. Knowing that as a sign to get out of site, the people stopped what they were doing and went right into their tents to wait out the fight.
Sgt. Lovejoy fell back in shock and tried to reach for his gun, but Jacob grabbed the man with his large paw and pulled him back. The horse had also gotten spooked and started running. Jacob told Quil and Embry to chase after and kill the horse so it couldn't get back to Forks and raise suspicions any further. Jacob was ready to bite Sgt. Lovejoy and just kill him then, but he stopped. That wasn't enough. It wasn't nearly enough for all the trouble this man had caused him. Jacob told Quil and Embry to come back to him while he changed back to his human form.
"What are you monsters?!" Sgt. Lovejoy screamed when Jacob was human again. Jacob kept Sgt. Lovejoy pinned down so he couldn't grab his gun again.
"What had you said my sentence was to be, Lovejoy?" Jacob asked, ignoring his question. "Hanging you said, right?"
"You'll get more than a hanging after all this!"
"Don't give me a better idea, Lovejoy," Jacob snapped right back. "Quil, Embry," Jacob said to the others, "turn back and help me get him to the tree. I'll start working on that rope."
As ordered, Embry and Quil changed back and helped Jacob force Lovejoy to one of the bigger trees that Jacob led them to while he started crafting a crude noose out of the rope. Once that was made, Jacob threw the rope over a thick branch and let that rest while Jacob went to grab one of the pots for Sgt. Lovejoy's feet to be placed. Jacob told Quil to get the noose around Sgt. Lovejoy's neck and made Embry get his feet atop the pot. Embry and Quil both worked to keep Sgt. Lovejoy atop the pot while Jacob got back a hold of the rope.
"You'll never get away with this!" Sgt. Lovejoy said after having yelled several profanities at the three of them while they worked. Now holding the rope in his hand again, Jacob tightened his grip until Sgt. Lovejoy had no choice but to hold still or risk losing balance and choking to death.
"You came here by yourself, Lovejoy. I'm sure no one will have any trouble believing you met a terrible fate long before you ever got here."
"And what about the people of Forks? They remember that I came here and why."
"You really think they'll say anything?" Jacob laughed. "They won't say a damn thing. So Lovejoy, any last words?"
"You'll rot in hell for this."
"I'll meet you there," Jacob said and finally kicked the pot out from under Sgt. Lovejoy's feet and firmly holding the rope so he was dangling above the ground. The three of them watched while Sgt. Lovejoy struggled and kicked for his life. It took too long for the man to die for Jacob's liking. It was two minutes of watching him kick and squirm before his eyes finally closed. Jacob hold him there for just a little bit longer before releasing the rope and making Sgt. Lovejoy plop onto the ground with a loud thud. Jacob checked his neck for a pulse and found none. "Good riddance to him," he said.
"Now what do we do?" Quil asked.
"We make it look like he was never here. Break down that horse and dry it for meat. We'll give it to the Makka as a sign of good will or something. Just get rid of the horse as best you can. Make the bones into tools, make the skin into clothes, I want that thing in pieces. Burn Lovejoy's body until he's dust and bury his weapons so no one will ever find him. He was never here." Jacob went to his tent and grabbed a new pair of pants. Once he had those wrapped around his ankle and started leaving, Embry stopped him.
"Where are you going?"
"I'm getting my wife back," Jacob answered with a smile and then shifted into a wolf to make a bee line for Olympia.