Jasmin

Chapter 13

Chapter 13

I know so much about Jasmin, but can not let her know how many of her secrets are not secret to me. The time we spent together these last few hours has been wondrous. Telling her of my pack and our connection has eased an ache that I did not know was in my chest. I wish to tell her so much more, yet it is forbidden. I almost feel a war within for my need to protect secrets not mine and to share all myself with my mate. I have the memories to remind me how serious it would be to say too much. I will not rush this.

I knew as we ambled around the streets of the city, we were walking in the direction of a Hope Mission. I had followed her there once before a few years ago. Yet as I am not suppose to know my way too much around the city, and honestly I only know a few places that I have seen while following heron I could not just lead us there myself. Joy floods my system that she would be open to this. I let nothing show on my face, blocking emotion and simply allow her to lead me down more busy and smelly streets.

"The doors have opened, lets join the line." I can see a few people lined up on the sidewalk in front of a place that actually looks just like a few restaurants we have already passed. In the row of retail businesses all pushed together on a crowded street, a few people who look to be of various different looks. There was a lady who was covered in so much dirt that her skin colour and hair was unidentifiable, while there was a man in clean jeans and a t-shirt standing with what looked to be a blond wife with her hair up in a pony tail. People of all ages, though mostly older, were in front of us as we all joined the queue to enter the mission. While I have not eaten here before, I am sure it is similar to the way the cafeteria at our school works. I wonder if the workers are familiar with Jasmin, what name she gave them? I have not been able to get very close to her so deep into the city and wish to know more. I gave her part of my secret, will she let me in to some of hers?

"Hey Jasmin, haven't seen you for almost a month. Doing well?" A shorter woman behind the counter calls when me and Jasmin get to the front of the line. I look over the lady who seems to be in her forties or so, dressed in a dress shirt and skirt, coved in a large apron and a hairnet stretched over and containing what must be very long hair. I glance at the girl beside me, I see a blush rise up her cheeks. I keep my face steady, show nothing. I understand letting people in can be difficult, I must show her acceptance, not judgment or hesitation.

"Hi Helena. How are the boys?" Her head held high with a smile, almost ignoring me in her daring move. Her spine in front of me of pure steel. I feel my lips twitch.

"Just great," the lady, Helena, smiles and starts scooping things onto a white plate. "My mom is around and watching them tonight for me. Its great to be so busy, and with Jason getting older we are being put on a list for a new kid." Helena is busy getting both our plates started, and hands one off to the quiet skinny guy beside her, when Jasmin is about to move down she leans as close as she can get. Its quiet but I can still hear her plea. "Have you seen Pete?"

Jasmin ducks her head and sadly shakes it. She then peeks up at Helena. "Some people are not ready for help." Helena says sadly shaking her head and causing her heavy hair to swing in the net behind her. With a big sigh she pushes her shoulders back and smiles at me as she hands my plate down. A small twist of my lips and a nod satisfy her as I move down the line. My attention more on Jasmin than the food or others. She keeps sneaking sidelong looks my way. I pick up my tray at the end of the row of food and turn to find us a seat.

"Helena didn't recognize you. Have you been here before? She knows most of the regulars." I hear her voice shake just a bit as she reveals to me how often she comes.

"I have not been here. I know such places exist but I mostly eat with Eric and his family or sometimes with another pack member. They don't live in the city though. This seemed a good option." I love how I don't have to measure that word with her, to let it just be part of our conversation as if she is already a part of it. She is a part of my pack, my mate, and has been for so long, even if no one else knows it. I catch myself calling her my mate, I had stopped doing that for so long. Letting that word be removed so long ago, these last few years it was Her, or She. It feels good, even if I do not say it aloud. My inner conversation has lasted until we are seated and started to eat. The potatoes are good, the meatloaf and gravy are actually quite delicious. I devour my plate.