Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters mentioned in this story. They all belong to Stephenie Meyer. I'm just using them for non-profitable entertainment usage. However, I do own my three OCs mentioned in this chapter; Bailey, Dorian and Kendra. :)

(Warning: Language and brief adult content.)

Chapter 8: Ties

"Sometimes you have to hurt somebody to make them better. You can't have morals to do what I do." -Unknown (If anybody knows where this came from, I'd appreciate the little fun fact!)

"Jacob, it's been days, and she hasn't said anything. Not a phone call or anything," Bailey said. "What if something terrible happened to her? You saw how Paul was!"

Jacob sighed, running his hands through his hair. "Bailey, you haven't slept right these past couple of days either, and worrying isn't going to make things better. We should just-"

They both jumped when her cell phone rang. She flew to her phone and fumbled with it before she brought it to her ear. Her face brightened immediately.

"Dorian? Oh my god, Dorian!" Bailey cried into the phone. The smile immediately fell from her face. "What's wrong? …What do you mean sick?"

"What's the problem?" Jacob mouthed.

Bailey held a finger up to silence him. "Put her on the phone… Then what's she saying? …What?"

She waved erratically for Jacob to come closer. He squished his face against hers to listen to the phone. At first all he registered was moaning, but then he heard a discernible name: Paul.

"Shit," he muttered, gathering his sweatshirt from the couch. "I have to go get him."

"Dor, just keep her warm for now. Stay near the phone," Bailey said, tossing the phone aside. "What's going on? Why is she suddenly sick?"

"It's the whole imprinting deal," Jacob said. "Imprints can't stay away from each other long, or else they start to feel pain."

"But Jacob, she hasn't even been gone that long," Bailey pointed out. "She's only been gone for a day."

Jacob shrugged. "Then something must've happened to her, but either way, they can't stay like this. Paul's already in a slump."

"What are you going to do?" Bailey asked.

"I'm going to make that idiot go get his girl back before they end up killing each other," Jacob said.

Bailey blanched. "They'll die?"

Jacob shrugged. "I don't know; this never happened before. We shouldn't take the chance though."

"Paul!" Jacob shouted, stomping out the door and onto the porch. "Dammit Paul, come out!"

"She's gone. She doesn't want me."

Jacob jumped, spinning around. Paul had literally appeared from nowhere. There was no scent, no sound. He was just standing behind Jacob as if he had been there the whole time. Already, his eyes looked crazed, surrounded by dark bruises.

"Paul, it's not too late. You have to go to her," Jacob said.

"No, it is too late," Paul growled.

"How is it—"

"She fucked somebody else!" Paul shouted. "I could feel it! I could feel her pleasure when he touched her!"

"That doesn't matter anymore! She's hurting, you're hurting!" Jacob reasoned. "You have to fix this!"

"I told you Jacob! She doesn't want me!" Paul shouted dejectedly. His voice dropped to a whisper. "And as her imprint, I have to accept her decision."

"You didn't here her on the phone, Paul," Jacob said. "Bailey got a call… Kendra is calling for you. She needs you. She wants you near her. Go!"

"She… what?" Paul muttered.

"You're not the only one affected by the separation!" Jacob snapped. "She's sick! Worse than you!"

"But she-"

"Paul," Jacob growled, grabbing him by the shoulders. "Get your mangy ass over there and makeup with Kendra before this starts effecting Bailey too!"

"She wants me?" Paul whispered.

"Yes! Now go!" Jacob snapped, pushing him in the direction of the woods. "Follow the I-90!"

Bailey smiled tiredly as she watched him run away, shaking her head. "I think I'll take that nap now."

Everything was perfect. Everything, from her head to her toes…

Her shell was the perfect canvas. There was no life inside.

Her hair was knotted in intricate braids and twists, pulled back at the nape of her neck in a voluminous bun, not a hair out of place. The entirety of her skin was covered in translucent powder, giving her skin a pale glow with a slight shimmer in the fluorescent lights. Her lips were painted a pale pink and her eyelids had fake lashes glued onto them, globs of mascara decorating them. Her cheeks were over dusted with bright pink blush.

The dress was like no other. The corset, though extremely tight and uncomfortable, accentuated her small chest and giving the illusion of a waist she had yet to develop in her pubescent years. The corset stopped a few inches short of her hips, suddenly flaring out thanks to the stifling layers of tulle underneath. She wore a tulle shrug that stopped at her wrists and wrapped around her neck in a high collar. Perfection.

Her wrists were chained to the floor, forcing her to kneel because of its short length. There were many men around her, some she recognized from her frequent bike trips into the main part of town whenever she was told to do an errand. She knew one fellow, a boy a few years older than her that worked in a grocery store. His usually kind face became expressionless, even more so when her own father roughly patted his shoulder and pushed him forward.

"Speak up, my boy," He said.

"Do you know who I am, Bailey?" the boy asked.

"Michael Daniels," she said. "From the grocery store."

"Such an exquisite girl," Michael whispered.

"Thank you," she replied honestly.

"And do you know what I'm here for, Bailey? All of us?" he asked.

She stared at him unblinkingly. "To play with me," she replied, as if it were nothing. She was nothing. Just numb. Existing, breathing, immune..

"Then you know what to do," he said, undoing the zipper of his jeans. They fell at his ankles, and she obediently opened her mouth as she had been trained to do. He shivered as her lips clamped around him. "Just like that, Princess…"

The others proceeded to drop their pants, hands grasping themselves as they watched the two, and she knew they would not stop until her blue dress was completely stained, moans and splashing filling the air… They would have their way with her at the consent of her father, and she simply didn't care any longer.

"Bailey… Bailey!" Jacob shouted, grabbing her by her forearms. "You're dreaming! It's just a dream!"

Her eyes snapped open, and she gasped for breath. Her loose top was soaked with sweat, clinging to her small frame. Just like.. just like- She pulled the top over her head and threw it off to the side, clad only in a pair of leggings. She could not relive that moment. Not now. Go Away.. far away...

Jacob quickly turned away, blushing furiously. "W-what are you doing?" he whispered.

"It's too hot," Bailey said quietly, sitting up. "I'm going to shower." Escape..

"Don't you want to talk about your dream?" Jacob said.

"No," she said shortly, sliding off the bed and walking to the bathroom.

She turned the shower on quickly and stepped in, uncaring about the temperature and yanking off her leggings in the process. That feeling began to creep up again; numbing.. emptiness. She stood stone faced in front of the showerhead, only blinking occasionally when drops of water gathered on her lashes. She wished she could disappear down the drain with those droplets, and never be seen again... She didn't know how long she stood there before the shower curtain was pulled open. Jacob stood there staring heavily at her face, ignoring her nude form in the shower. Bailey turned her head to him, still expressionless.

"You can look if you want," Bailey muttered. "I don't care. There's nothing sacred about this body."

Jacob pulled the curtains even wider, causing Bailey to shudder at the sudden intrusion of cold air. He stepped in the tub behind her, fully clothed. "The water is freezing, Bailey," he murmured behind her.

"Then get out," she suggested, still facing away from him.

Jacob grabbed her by her small waist and spun Bailey around, glaring at the head that stood a foot and some inches shorter than him. He ignored the water soaking through his clothing and roughly pulled her to his chest. "I won't."

Bailey pushed against his frame, pulling her head back from his chest. "Let go of me!"

"No," Jacob growled lowly, tilting her head back and capturing her blue lips with his own.

She jerked away from his lips. "Stop it!" she yelled. "Get away from me!"

He ignored her, roughly kissing her again. Without warning, his tongue pushed past her lips, caressing the roof of her mouth. Her teeth clamped down on his tongue, and he pulled back quickly. The steady stream from the showerhead washed away the blood that dribbled down his chin. He quickly grabbed her wrists and pushed her against the tiled walls.

"What are you doing?" Bailey shouted, struggling in his hold.

"Is this how you want me to treat you Bailey?" Jacob asked, planting another bruising kiss on her lips.

"What—"

He silenced her with another rough kiss. "Like you're disposable? Useless?"

"Stop it, Jacob," she said, suddenly losing the strength in her voice.

"Since you 'don't care'," Jacob said, roughly grabbing her breast, "then I'll make this body mine. Is that alright with you?"

"I-"

He crudely squeezed her breast. "Of course, you don't care, correct?"

"No, that's not what I…" Bailey weakly argued, shaking her head.

"But who cares what you think?" He asked rhetorically, licking the side of her neck. "There's nothing sacred about you anyway. This is all mine."

Bailey stiffened under his touch. "D-don't treat me like I'm nothing!" she suddenly shouted, struggling against him again. "And I'm not anybody's!"

Jacob completely stepped away from her, looking saddened. "Then don't treat yourself as if you are, because I know you're so much more than that."

Bailey stared at him in shock. Her expression crumpled and lip puckered before she burst into tears. Jacob returned to her side again, pulling her hands from her face and kissing all over face with small pecks, whispering apologies. When her sobbing died down to sniffles and the occasional shudder, Jacob tilted her head back once again. He smiled at her reddened eyes, watching her she blinked against the water falling onto her face. He reached over and shut off the water, putting the two into a comfortable silence.

"I don't want you to think of yourself that way anymore," Jacob said, tracing the outline of her lips.

She nodded silently, eyes fluttering against his touch.

"You are not nothing. You never were," Jacob said, cupping her cheeks with his broad hands. "And I'm sorry I had to do that."

Bailey shook her head and held his hands against her face, smiling against her tears. "No, I'm sorry."

"Don't apologize," Jacob murmured against her lips before he gently kissed her.

She pulled away and looked off to the side, blushing. She covered her chest with her arms. "D-don't kiss me like that when I don't have any clothes."

Ignoring her, he kissed her once again. "And now you care? Why the change of heart?"

Bailey lightly swatted his shoulder. "Get me towel, Jacob. I'm cold."

He grinned, reaching behind him for a fluffy towel hanging on a rack. "Good answer."

"And get out. I need to dry off," Bailey said, fully smiling at him now. "And while you're at it, find clothes for me."

Jacob quirked a brow at her sudden sassiness, grinning.

"Please?" she said, suddenly unsure.

He ruffled her hair, tossing the towel over her head. "No need to get so intimidated. This is what I want to hear," he said. "Since you're finally awake, we can head out."

"Head out?" Bailey echoed.

Jacob nodded absentmindedly, picking out the first few items he saw in her wardrobe. He handed her the clothing with one arm through the slight opening of the bathroom door. He waited patiently in the hallway, leaning against the banister until she stepped out of the bathroom. She wore a baby blue sweatshirt with a gold knit scarf around her neck and another pair of dark leggings. Jacob snatched another towel off the rack and rubbed her still wet, grinning when it became unruly and fluffy at his work.

"So, where are we going?" Bailey asked, pulling a slouchy beret over her head.

"Bonfire," he answered simply. He tossed her a pair of socks and shoes, kneeling and slipping on said items onto her dainty feet.

"Another one?"

Jacob smirked, lifting her foot onto his bent knee as he put on another sock. "This past week you've done nothing but obsessively worry about your sister," he said, moving on to lacing her sneakers. "Don't you think it's time to have some fun again?"

Bailey frowned. "It wasn't obsessive," she insisted. "And you don't have to tie my shoes. I'm not a child."

"I'm not treating you like one, even though you are small," Jacob said, grinning when she huffed. "You're just my little queen."

She sucked in a sharp breath at his nickname, glancing at him warily. "Not a princess?" Not like in my nightmares?

"A princess doesn't take the cake to you," Jacob said.

He led her down the steps and outside before she could question him anymore. They walked in silence through the wooded area, playfully bumping each other along the way. Bailey was surprised to see that his clothes were already dry, although they were soaked just minutes before. She eyed him curiously, assuming it must have been his high temperature that allowed him to dry so quickly.

"Is there something special about this bonfire?" Bailey asked.

"Since the pack keeps growing with all you pale ones adding to our numbers," Jacob began playfully, tugging on the scarf around her neck, "the Council figured it was time to tell the stories again."

"The stories?"

"Our secrets about the tribe, the histories of how we came to be," Jacob explained. "It's actually really interesting."

"You mean about being werewolves and those vampires?" Bailey inquired.

"Yeah, but there's a whole bunch of stuff I haven't told you that you'll be hearing tonight," Jacob said. "Plus, you'll get to meet Kim and Leah tonight."

"Leah is Seth's sister, right?"

"Right. Leah's a stick in the mud though, so don't get offended by her bad attitude," Jacob said. "Kim is normal though. You'll like her. And here comes another irregular child right now…"

"Jake! Bailey!" Seth called, scrambling from his spot on a log to meet them. "Made it just in time! Where's Paul?"

"I don't think he'll be back for a while," Jacob said.

"At least we'll have more food to go around since he won't be scarfing the whole thing down like usual!" Seth said cheerfully.

Jacob ruffled the boy's hair and put him in a harmless headlock. "Save me any burgers, runt? How about for the lady?" he grinned, jerking his head toward Bailey.

"What would you say if I didn't?" Seth asked innocently, jerking in his hold. The two began to roll around on the ground before a sharp voice stilled the two.

"Jacob, get your hands off my brother!" Leah snapped, stomping over to where they were play fighting.

"This is Leah, Bails," Jacob said, shoving Seth off his person and swatting off the dirt from his sweatshirt.

Leah eyed the girl critically, hands on her hips. Her eyes narrowed as she analyzed the girl that stood a foot shorter than her height. Bailey fiddled with the frayed ends of her scarf, breaking eye contact with Leah. She instead opted to stare at her floral printed sneakers, taking a small step back. Jacob grasped her shoulder and pulled her close to him, glaring at Leah.

"You're making her uncomfortable," he snapped.

Leah scoffed, flicking off invisible dust from her shoulders. "I was just looking at her," she grumbled. "Now we have another girl to fantasize about when we do patrols."

"I do not fantasize about Bailey like that!" Jacob hissed. "That's all Jared's perverted—"

Leah held a hand up, stopping his rant. "Look, as long as it's not Bella you're depressed about anymore, I don't care. So you can just stop," she rolled her eyes, holding out a hand to Bailey. "It's nice to meet you."

Bailey shook her hand lightly. "Kendra would like you," she said.

Leah raised a brow, smirking. "Does that mean you don't?"

"O-oh no! I do! I was just saying—"

Jacob wound his arm around her shoulders and hauled her away from a chortling Leah, grumbling, "Don't fall for her teasing."

"Jake!" Embry said in relief, holding his hand out for his friend to slap. "It's been miserable without you!"

"What do you mean?" Jacob asked, settling on a log next to his friend and Bailey.

"Being a single bachelor isn't so fun anymore without you, man," Embry said, eyeing the rest of the pack warily. "Almost everyone Imprinted already, even you! Where's my señorita?"

"She's out there, Em," Jacob said, grinning. "If Paul can score one with his terrible attitude, I'm sure you'll find someone."

"Enough talk," Billy said. "We're starting."

"...And so now this new generation is cursed with the wolf spirit, protecting our tribe against any threats-"

Sam stood with a growl, "Their scent is on the wind!"

"All of them?" Billy asked with apprehension. "What do they want?"

"We'll have to find out," Sam bit, pausing to turn to Emily. "Head back home to Billy's. Stay with the Council. Let's head out, boys."

"Go with Emily," Jacob said to Bailey. "It will be safer there."

"What about you?" Bailey asked.

"Don't worry, I'm built for this kind of stuff," Jacob replied. He frowned at her expression. "I won't be gone long."

"But you'll be in danger," Bailey said.

"Not really. The Cullens aren't too hostile toward us," Jacob said. "It won't be so bad."

"Then take me with you," she pleaded.

"Bailey, no, I can't," Jacob argued, "This is purely wolf business only-"

"Jake, there's a human's scent blowing on the wind too," Sam interrupted. "It's probably Bella. There will be no fight if she's there. I don't see a problem with Bailey coming."

"Then why don't you bring Emily?" Jacob challenged.

"She does not wish to come, Jacob," Sam snapped. "It was only a suggestion. I'm not going to tell you how to take care of your Imprint. I sense no danger; do with that information what you want."

"There is no need for all of us to meet the Cullens," Sam said, projecting his voice. "Jared, Embry, and I will go to them as wolves. The rest of you will stay in your human forms and fall behind. If there's any trouble, you'll back us up immediately."

Jacob crouched down and held out his palms. "Get on," he said.

Bailey climbed onto his back carefully, hooking her arms behind his back neck and her legs around his waist. She watched as the three men disappeared into the forest and reappeared as wolves. With one huff from the black one, they ran off in the opposite direction. The others, including Jacob, ran after them in human form. Bailey was surprised that he kept pace and still managed to keep a steady breath. They came to a stop near a creak that separated two bodies of land. Pale, statuesque beings stood on the other side of the creek. Jacob let down Bailey silently, indicating that she be quiet.

"There is an army of newborns coming soon," Carlisle said, stepping forward, "We believe they are responsible for the disappearances, and soon they will all come to the town."

A low growl came from the black wolf. Edward stepped forward as well, saying, "Sam wants to know why and when they are coming."

"They're after Bella," Carlisle said. "We fought another vampire, James, and killed him, and his mate Victoria is looking for revenge. We expect them to be here within the next couple of days."

"They've agreed to fight against the newborn army," Edward announced.

"Another thing," Carlisle said. "Fighting newborns is something foreign to most of us, so we'll need a bit of training. That is why my son, Jasper, is willing to teach us all how to fend against them, if you're willing to cooperate?"

"...They want a time and place," Edward said.

"There is an open field a few miles west of here," Carlisle said. "We'll need to do this with no human activity going on, so say... 2am later?"

"They'll be there," Edward said. "We can go."

"Wait!" Bella pleaded. "Is.. is Jacob here?"

Jacob huffed in annoyance, "That girl..."

Bailey patted his shoulder gently, smiling. "Very persistent."

"He does not want to see you, Bella," Edward said quietly.

"That's not what I asked!" Bella snapped. She turned her eyes toward the forest, searching. "Jacob, I know you're there."

"She just wants to talk to you," Bailey whispered. "You can spare a minute or two with her."

"I don't want to be with her," Jacob said, looking pointedly at the girl in front of him.

"Such a petulant puppy," Bailey murmured, lightly tapping him on the nose.

Jacob grasped her wrist, nibbling on the fleshy pad of her palm. "I'm not a pup," he growled playfully.

"Get a room," Leah groaned.

"Jacob?" Bella called again.

Jacob rolled his eyes, hauling Bailey into his arms bridal style. "Negotiations are over. Let's get out of here."

"You're so rude," Bailey gasped, tapping his nose again.

He caught a finger between his teeth and grinned. "There's only one woman I plan to be nice to, and she's the one in my arms."

Bailey blushed furiously, pulling her hat down until it covered her face. "Don't say things like that, Jacob.."

He chuckled in response. "I know you like it. A puppy and a queen; what a pair."

Review ?