Marian

I walked to Robin's room to get him down for dinner. I knocked on his door and entered. Robin's face was full of sadness and guilt. I knew that I had to get to the bottom of this.

"Alright, what's really going on?" I asked Robin.

"What do you mean?" He shrugged.

"Your mate situation, Robin. Why are you not pursuing her?" I said. "I know you got a thick head most of the time, but the little boy I knew couldn't wait to find his mate. What changed, Robin?"

"Goddess, you're annoying. Okay, it's just that I don't feel worthy of her. Ever since that rogue attack, I haven't felt the same," Robin shook his head.

"And that's okay. When trauma happens, it's only natural that you change from it. Everything you feel is valid whether you become guarded, scared, angry, or alone. I understand, Robin," I smiled.

"No, you don't. Every time I look at Jessie and see the scar on his cheek, I'm reminded of that attack," Robin said.

"You were a child. You can't blame yourself for what happened to Jessie or what the horrible woman did to you. She got what she deserved," I said.

"But I do, Marian. If only I had paid attention to my surroundings, then I would, we would, have heard the rogue coming. We should have never been playing so deep in the forest," Robin said.

"You were children. You were doing exactly what children should be doing. Playing, exploring, being a kid, and adventuring in the forest. Especially a werewolf kid. It's in our nature to want to explore and be one with the earth. I would agree if you were a human child, but you're not," I said.

"We knew the threat of rogues existed. I begged him to go out with me that day. I want to play in the forest," I was about to open my mouth, but Robin stopped me. "Don't speak. You wanted me to open up, and I did. Because of me, it distracted us and caused that rogue to catch us off guard. I wouldn't be alive today if Jessie hadn't pushed me out of the way and force-shifted. The rogue wasn't expecting that, which was the only reason we survived. And because of that, he is forever scarred, and the pain he went through that day from an early shift is one I will never forget. I can still hear my brother screaming every time I close my eyes. If that wasn't bad enough, Jessie has completely moved on from it while I'm trapped in this nightmare. And nobody knows," Robin said, tears streaming down his face.

I never knew he was holding all this pain inside him, the guilt. "I'm so sorry, Robin. To go through that all these years with no one to confide in. Here I am, one of the fabled Moon Warriors, born a twin with powers to help those in need, and I couldn't see the one who needed help the most right in front of me. I vow to do better; this I swear to you, Robin. Now, about Jessie. There's something you don't know. That day when the rogue attack, that same rogue wanted to kidnap one of you,"

"What!?" Robin stepped back.

"A young boy around Jessie's age was taken that day of Jessie scared that rogue off. But the little boy's mother fought the rogue and lost her life. Then they found a blood trail of the boy and knew he didn't survive the attack either. Jessie blames himself, too. He's plagued by the guilt of why he couldn't kill the rogue when he had the chance. Then, the lives of the pack members wouldn't be on him," I explained.

"H-he can't blame himself for that," Robin said.

"And neither can you. You never told me how you met your mate," I smiled.

"I was clubbing, and it was Henrik's fault," Robin said.

I raised an eyebrow. "How so?"

"I was drunk, too drunk, when she came in. I was so out of it that I never noticed her scent until it was too late. I wasn't drunk off human alcohol. Henrik stocks the good stuff for supes, and I was talking to someone when she entered the club. When my mate tried talking to me to say hello, I told her to wait her turn. I didn't even turn to look at her; I just spoke and went back to kissing whoever it was then," Robin explained the events.

"Oh, goddess. How did you know she was there?" I said.

"When I finally smelt her scent, I turned around, and she was already bolting for the door crying. I raced after her, and she pushed me away and said she wanted nothing to do with me. I fuck up bad, Marian and I don't know how I can fix this," Robin sat on his bed. "I've been mad at myself ever since that night,"

"Mm, yes, that is a pickle. Give your mate some time and maybe lay off the alcohol. Yeah?" I said.

"Yeah," Robin nodded.

"Don't worry, Robin. Once recognized, The mate bond will snap into place and start affecting the two of you more than you think," I said.

"I can't stop thinking about her, Marian. I don't even know her name," Robin said. "It's driving me insane. I want her name to pass my lips. I haven't shifted in a few days either because every time I get a whiff of her scent in town, my wolf wants to go straight to her,"

"Good choice. Her wolf might snap at you," I laughed.

"Did you come to tell me dinner was ready? I'm starving," Robin laughed.

"Yes, my big growing brother-in-law. Let's go eat," I smiled.