Helpless (gxg)

XIX- A Lovely Dinner

We walked together to the dining hall or cafeteria or kitchen, which were apparently just a few names for it. Tessa explained that most rooms in the house had multiple names and it might take a while for me to get used to that. I didn't care. This was the closest thing to home I'd ever had, and a few different words weren't going to change that.

We stopped before we turned the corner, Tessa taking both of my hands in hers and bending slightly to be closer to my level.

"If you want to leave, tell me. We can take our food back with us if we want to. Not everyone likes eating together, so that is normal." I nod in response. "Are you ready, baby girl?" Another nod. "Let's go."

When we step in, nothing happens. Everyone continues eating without interruption, no bows, no line waiting for Tessa to get her food first, just laughter and conversation over a good meal. This didn't stop me from shrinking back into Tessa, of course. It was loud and bright and crowded. But I still wanted to continue.

We went together to the window and picked up two trays of food, each with a large cup of water.

I didn't know what else to do besides follow quietly behind Tessa as she led us to a table off to the side. It only had two seats and was pushed up against the wall, slightly more private than the majority of the other tables.

"Here, doll." She pulled out one of the chairs after placing her tray across the table, looking at me expectantly. I flushed, carefully placing my own tray down before taking the seat, Tessa pushing it in behind me.

As she sat down across from me, I couldn't resist asking. "Shouldn't you be sitting at the head table?"

Tessa looked up from her meal, brow furrowing. "What do you mean?"

My cheeks grew even warmer. "Just that- that you should be sitting somewhere that, uh, I don't know. Maybe, somewhere people can see you're in charge?"

The expected laughter didn't come. "No, I have no need to display my power with something as simple as seating arrangements. It makes everyone more comfortable to sit where they like, and I have no wish to lord over them unnecessarily."

I nod in understanding. She was so powerful already, she didn't need cheap tricks to show everyone who she was. Just the aura she gave off was enough.

Dinner went easily, I ate about half my plate in the time it took Tessa to finish hers and, at her urging, ate a bit more. I felt overstuffed, but there was also a happiness at having made my mate proud. At the very end, she asked me something that stopped me in my tracks.

"Would you like to meet some people?"

I froze in my seat, water halfway to my mouth, before my slightly shaking hand lowered it back to the table.

"You are under no obligation to. It is simply an option." She soothed me with her words, but that didn't necessarily mean she wasn't disappointed.

I thought for a moment. On one hand, I wasn't sure how I would react to meeting more people, or how they would take to me. On the other hand, I needed to meet them sometime and the Doctor Jameson had given me some good techniques...

"I'll do it."

Tessa's face didn't change, even if I could feel the joy radiating towards me. Or maybe through the bond. She checked one more time. "Are you sure, baby? I do not want you to be uncomfortable."

I knew I was making the right choice. "Yes."

Her eyes roamed over my face once more before she nodded. "I will be right back. Do you mind taking the trays to the counter?"

"Okay." I pile them together and stand, taking my time as I make my way to the same place we picked them up. I gave a weak smile to the woman who took them and whispered a soft "thank you" before going back and sitting at the table. I didn't have to wait long for Tessa to come back over with another woman holding a baby.

I stood as they approached, self-consciously smoothing my clothing as I did. I couldn't help but compare myself to this woman, this absolute beauty as Tessa led her. She was much taller than I was, almost Tessa's height. In comparison to my rat-nest of black hair, hers was cropped close to her head, a shining blonde that matched the child in her arms. She appeared to be toned, at least her arms were, exposed from the elbows down but her shirt was taught against her upper arms, clearly nicely muscled. I, obviously, was just soft. I had some muscles in certain places from needing to hold positions for long periods of time and other things, but next to this woman, I was nothing.

But I held a polite smile on my face as Tessa came to stand next to me, still smiling from a joke the woman had told.

"Willa, this is July, our resident architect. She designed the library and takes jobs with other packs and such to facilitate our income. July, this is Willa, my mate."

July stuck out a hand, switching the baby to cradle him in one elbow. "Nice to meet you, Luna."

I was slightly surprised by the formality before I reached out and returned the handshake. "Nice to meet you, too."

July shifted slightly to show me the baby who was still sleeping soundly in her arms. "This is my daughter Jane." I nodded and made the appropriate cooing noises.

Before long, Tessa stepped in again. "July, we will allow you to get back to your meal. Thank you for taking the time to see us."

She smiled and nodded. "Again, nice to meet you."

I dipped my head. "You, too."

Tessa took my hand in hers. "How do you feel? Up to meeting someone else?"

I didn't want to disappoint her, so I didn't. I put on another grin and agreed. "Sounds good."

She continued to look at me. "No."

My false expression disappeared and was replaced by one of confusion. "No?"

"No. We're going back upstairs." She continued to hold my hand and I walked beside her to the door. She held it open for me and I could feel panic building at the lack of emotion on her face. What had I done? I just wanted to make her happy.