Chapter 8

After that night, Selene didn't see hide nor hair of Jacob Black and it hurt her more than words could say. She didn't understand why it was so painful being away from him, not able to get his words out of her head. She was his soul mate, what did that even mean?

Jacob had left her with a ton of questions and no answers, especially after her half sister Bella. She was being changed, what did Jacob mean by that? Selene's head was starting to hurt at all the possibilities running through her head, trying to just focus on getting through one day at a time.

Selene ended up calling Riana that same night, after calming down from what happened with Jacob, needing her advice on what to do about Jack. There was no way she was telling Riana about what happened with Jacob, she didn't want her best friend worrying over nothing. Though Riana would do it anyway, especially when Selene told her what happened with Jack and how he'd given her a ride home from her broken down car.

"He asked you to homecoming, are you freaking serious?" Riana was in disbelief, holding the phone between her shoulder and ear while painting her fingernails blue. "Wow, that's really weird and I'm not saying that as a bad thing."

"I know, believe me I couldn't believe when he asked me either." Selene kept staring out the window, wondering why Jacob always went into the woods, her eyes closing momentarily. "What should I do, Ri?"

"Well…what do you want to do sweetie?" Riana asked, knowing her friend wanted advice on what to do, but this was a little out of Riana's realm. "I honestly don't know what to tell you except to be careful. You know Jack has a reputation for being a complete asshole."

"I know that and I'm going to, but I also believe everyone deserves a chance." Selene knew she was probably punishing herself by doing this, but talking to Riana helped immensely. "Thanks Ri."

"You're welcome sweetie, I don't know what I did, but I just hope you know what you're doing." Riana sounded troubled about this situation and Selene honestly didn't blame her.

"What would you do if this was you?"

Riana sighed deeply and looked straight ahead, setting her nail polish aside. "I honestly don't know. I mean he is good looking and everything, popular…maybe I would go for it…"

"You would?" Selene sounded surprised, sitting down on her bed after pulling her gaze away from the window, thunder rumbling in the distance. "Or are you just saying that to make me feel better?"

"No, I'm saying maybe for a reason because I don't know what I would do. I would be really cautious though and make sure I'm around other people. I would never be alone with him." Riana was being truthful, hoping she wasn't scaring Selene, but sometimes the truth hurt. "Sorry you wanted my opinion though, do you want me to lie to you?"

"No, I'm glad you're being straight with me. I just…something is telling me not to pass this up. Are you going to homecoming?" She asked, deciding to change the subject, hearing Riana sigh again. "You could always go with us…"

Riana chuckled half heartedly. "Nah, three's a crowd, you go have fun and just be careful. I'll be fine, you know me." She tried sounding cheerful, though deep down Selene knew Riana was hurting.

"Ri…"

"Don't worry about me, just go have fun. I gotta go, I have to study before bed. Love you." She hung up before Selene could say another word.

Selene was pulled out of her thoughts as she stared up at the beautiful dress she'd bought for this evening, hoping Riana was alright. She shouldn't go, she should be with Riana and make fun of all those who were going to homecoming. Charlie had given her full reign on his credit card, beyond excited she was going to homecoming, and even had his camera ready.

Tears slid down her cheeks as Selene thought about her last encounter with Jacob, wanting nothing more than to be with him. How could she want someone who was just using her to get over her half sister though? Why was this pull toward Jacob so intense and powerful? It was making her crazy and physically sick because he hadn't been around in nearly two weeks.

She wondered if he was even alive at this point and immediately pushed that thought aside, wiping her tears away as she slipped from the bed. Walking over to the window, lightning flashed across the sky as Selene looked down, gasping at the sight of the russet colored wolf. Her hand pressed against the glass window, having honestly missed it, and chewed her bottom lip nervously. Charlie would be up momentarily to find out where she was, Riana having done her hair earlier.

Her long brown hair was up in a ton of spiral curls, a few tendrils framing her face. It was piled on top of her head elegantly and she had on simple black eyeliner with clear gloss and foundation to hide skin blemishes. Her dress was a deep light lavender, spaghetti strapped, and hugged her upper body snugly. It had a sweetheart neckline with a sparkling flower embroidery on her right hip that consisted of blue, gold and indigo, a touch of green in it. The dress flowed right after the hips, a few layers of lace and silk beneath it.

Pulling away from the window reluctantly, Selene quickly dressed and redid the eyeliner, not wanting Riana's hard work to go to waste. She slipped into the dress and zipped it up, pulling her black two inch open toed heels on, hoping Jack approved. She sighed gently and clipped a silver necklace around her neck, a dark purple teardrop stone linked to it. She had small dangling earrings that matched along with a silver bracelet, reapplying more gloss to her lips to finish.

Charlie couldn't believe how beautiful his daughter was as she descended the stairs, Jack already waiting for her. "Wow, you look amazing Selly." Charlie breathed, taking her hand to help her down the rest of the way, kissing her forehead lovingly. "Young man, you take care of my little girl and bring her back safely." Charlie was holding his shotgun while drinking a beer, déjà vu happening when Edward first picked up Bella for a date.

"Don't worry, sir, I will." Jack promised, never taking his eyes from the beauty before him, wearing a simple dark green dress shirt with black slacks, his hair gelled to perfection with black dress shoes on. He had a black dress coat to match and held open Selene's coat for her, letting her slip into it.

"Her curfew is at eleven, not a minute later." Charlie announced, ignoring the bewildered look Selene gave him, his fatherly instincts completely taking over. "You got that?"

"Yes sir, she will be here no later." Jack nodded and quickly ushered Selene out the front door toward his black Mustang, grinning from ear to ear.

Dark eyes watched their every move from the woods, Selene slipping into the passenger side while Jack whistled happily. Jacob snarled angrily, wanting to rip him to pieces, but knew he couldn't because the leech was still human. However, if he harmed one hair on Selene's head, Jacob would kill him regardless of the pack's vow. Nothing meant more to him in life than the woman who was currently being driven off in a black Mustang with a paleface.

"You look incredible tonight, Selene." Jack complimented, taking her hand and pressed a soft kiss to the back of it, driving off to Forks High School.

"Thanks…"

They made small chatter throughout the drive there, Jack opening her car door like a gentleman. Selene stepped out, a soft smile gracing her lips, and took his offered arm as they headed inside the building. The homecoming theme was tropical, something Forks would never see, the gymnasium decked out in all kinds of different colors. They had colorful strobe lights flashing throughout, streamers hung with tables set up and a dance floor with a DJ.

Maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all.

Jack removed her coat along with his, hanging them up on the hooks provided, and guided Selene further inside, one arm around her waist. Heads turned, jaws dropped, everyone couldn't take their eyes off of Jack having Selene Swan on his arm. Selene hated being the center of attention, but knew being with Jack that was inevitable. She simply stared straight ahead, allowing Jack to guide her throughout the dance, taking in everything that surrounded her.

When Jack asked if she wanted to dance, Selene couldn't deny him as she slipped her hand into his, being lead to the dance floor. It was a slow song, though all Selene could think about was Jacob Black, wondering what he was doing. She was preoccupied and didn't notice what was coming, too busy being swayed in the arms of another man that wasn't Jacob.

"So, I guess you're enjoying my sloppy seconds, eh outsider?" A snide voice sounded from behind, causing Selene to break out of her thoughts and turned around, staring into the face of Ashley Masson.

"I'm sorry what?"

Selene honestly hadn't heard anything Ashley said, seeing two other girls walk up to stand on either side of her. They were in blue, red and black strapless dresses that went above the knee and had slits up the side, all identical styles. Ashley was in the red, her eyes narrowed to slits while Jack stood behind Selene, who looked rather uncomfortable at the moment.

"I said I guess you're enjoying my sloppy seconds. Don't you listen, bitch?" Ashley spat, blue eyes full of jealous rage. "What the hell are you thinking bringing THAT to homecoming Jack?"

Jack simply shrugged, refusing to acknowledge his ex-girlfriend, though he knew she had a point.

"This will ruin your reputation unless you do something about it now." Ashley snapped her fingers, something being slipped into Jack's hand moments later, a cruel smile forming on her red painted lips. "Well, what are you waiting for?"

"What are you…" Selene didn't have time to finish that question, her words trailing off as something very thick and sticky began dripping on her.

The girls in black and blue held each of Selene's arms, preventing her from running away, all of them cackling wickedly in her ears. Tears swelled in her eyes as everyone began laughing at her, witnessing Selene's humiliation as a huge jar of honey was poured on top of her head followed by a bucket of feathers. Selene's screams echoed throughout the gymnasium, but nobody cared, not even the chaperones.

"Get off of me!" She screamed louder, struggling in their grip and cried out when Ashley slapped her hard across the face, her head snapping to the side. Blood instantly poured from her mouth from the impact, Selene staring back at her with a face full of feathers and honey. "Why are you doing this to me?"

"Why?" Ashley practically crooned, dusting herself off while shaking her hand, having put all of the force behind it. "Because I can and because you're trying to steal MY man!"

Jack chuckled cruelly in Selene's ear, having stood right behind her. "What made you even think you were worthy to come here with me, Selene, hmmm? What made you think you were better than Ashley?" He murmured, his arm still wrapped securely around her waist, some of the honey getting on him, but it didn't bother him.

Selene couldn't even speak or say a word, her tears mixing with the honey and feathers, but they weren't finished yet. A second later, everyone stepped back as two jocks from the football team, Nick and Alex, poured a huge bucket of flour on top of her. Selene couldn't stop it from happening as she stood there, her dress completely ruined, her hands outstretched as pure horror flashed on her face.

"Run now unless you want more humiliation." Ashley ordered, folding her arms in front of her chest, Jack instantly going to her side as he passionately kissed her, shoving his tongue practically down her throat.

Selene didn't waste a second and flew out of the gymnasium as fast as she possibly could, sobbing violently, her whole body racked with pain. The rain poured in gallons as she stumbled out of the doors, instantly becoming soaked and closed her eyes as she let it wash most of the humiliation away. One of the straps broke on Selene's dress as she tried in vain to hold it up, stumbling further into the parking lot, feeling sick to her stomach.

She wanted to vomit in the worst way, feeling very weak and used, not believing she actually came here with someone like Jack. What the hell had she been thinking? Jacob was right and Selene had nobody to blame but herself, which made the pain in her heart increase tenfold.

Her head snapped up when she heard a vicious growl in the distance by the trees, that russet wolf who'd been watching her every move coming into her line of vision. It was all too much for Selene to take as she collapsed to the hard asphalt below, the darkness instantly enveloping her. Jacob had quickly phased into human form and caught her before she hit the ground, his eyes instantly darting to the high school, snarling dangerously. Of course it was all a trick and Selene's good heart had been messed with for the last time.

Jacob quickly set her down in the grass, not caring if she was covered in honey, feathers and flour and slipped his cargo shorts on he'd carried with him on the cord around his ankle. The rain didn't bother him in the slightest as lightning flashed across the sky, the heavens mourning for what happened to his angel. Jack and everyone who was involved were going to pay for what they did to her on this night, Jacob vowed. He lifted her up in his strong arms and took off into the woods, heading back to Charlie's as fast as he feet could carry him.

Charlie was up watching sports when the front door flew open, a soaked to the bone Jacob Black walking in with Selene in his arms. His eyes widened in shock at the way she looked, a complete horrid mess from head to toe, soaked from the rain and sticky. Charlie instantly took her from Jacob's arms, who looked as though he might snap at any given moment, and Charlie wasn't far behind.

"What the hell happened?" Charlie demanded, setting her down on the couch, eyes narrowed to slits. "I told that boy to take care of her."

"They humiliated her at the dance. I was riding by on my bike when I saw her stumble out of the doors and she didn't look good. She fainted and I brought her back here." Jacob's voice was a low hiss, clenching his fists tightly at his sides. "You'll have to ask her exactly what happened because I honestly don't know, Charlie."

"Thank you for bringing her back home, Jake." Charlie looked back at Selene, swallowing past the lump in his throat. "I'll take care of this, there will be an investigation and whoever did this to my daughter will pay."

Jacob nodded, not wanting to leave Selene's side, but knew he had no choice. "Keep me posted."

He then flew out the door and barely made it to the tree line before phasing, his clothes nothing more than bitty pieces of fabric. Jacob wasn't waiting for Charlie's investigation and headed straight back to Forks High School, going as fast as his legs could carry him. He would wait for Jack to walk out to his Mustang with his little gang and strike.

Nobody was going to hurt his imprint and get away with it…nobody.