The Davidsons (as what the Alpha had told her) lived in a quaint little house with a well-kept wooden roof, a well-tended garden, and an even more well-worn low fence and matching gate. It found a place under a canopy of trees that formed as a natural roof, filtering only what amount of sunlight was needed to wash over their area. Very quiet and peaceful, something Robin was not expecting.

“Quinn is what we consider our resident woodcutter,” the Alpha mentioned amusedly as they walked down the length of the fence towards the gate at the far end. Robin listened intently, rubbing her hand absentmindedly over the pointed tops of the fence. “But really, he does more than that. His leg had gone bad after an attack a few years ago, so he doesn’t join us in training anymore. He spends most of his days here with Jill, his wife, and their son Jared.”

“Jared,” Robin whispered, passing through the unlatched gate that the Alpha had opened. He shut it behind them and turned to her. “Is that Blue’s mate?”

“It seems so,” the Alpha had replied before his head shot up towards the direction of the house. Robin turned as well, hearing a creak and found that there was now a woman standing at the door, staring back at them as well.

“Alpha!” the woman had called out warmly, waving a hand at them. They had approached closer, and Robin noticed that the woman was now looking at her. She seemed to be older than both Robin and the Alpha, though not too much. Her hair was a creamy bright brown and her eyes an even darker shade, and by the looks of her tanned skin, it seemed she also was fond of going out much.

At her welcoming smile, Robin smiled shyly back at her but kept herself as close as possible to the Alpha’s side. “Is this the Luna I have been hearing of?”

“Yes, Jill this is Robin. Robin, this is Jill.”

“Good afternoon,” Robin politely greeted, minding her manners the best she could. Despite her obvious hesitant nature, Jill only beamed wider and ushered them in eagerly through the door. The inside of the house was just as homely as Robin expected, maybe even more, and she tried to relax herself.

“We’re honored to have you visit, Alpha and Luna. It was unexpected that this would all happen really. We didn’t expect Jared to find his mate so soon,” Jill was rambling, her face almost flushed and her movements unrestrained as she led them to sit on a nearby couch.

The Alpha took much space, and Robin found herself quite squished against his side. Sensing her slight distress, he moved to rest his arm over her shoulders so she could lean closer and have more space. She was flushing in his arms, but he only seemed pleased to see her all silently flustered.

“Where are they now?” the Alpha asked Jill who had taken her post over in the attached kitchen just nearby. She was fussing over some cabinets, and Robin saw she had laid out some cute little cups.

“Oh, Quinn had to gather some more wood for the fire and decided to bring the both of them with him. Really, I had wanted for Blue to get some more rest, but she insisted on going with Jared. Oh, you should have seen his face. More than pleased he was, really. But they’ll be back soon, Alpha, now that Quinn knows you’re here.”

At that, she set the tray of cups she had been preparing on the table in front of them, allowing Robin to finally smell what was inside the cups. It smelt like chocolate. “The Alpha mentioned you liked chocolate, my Luna, so I decided to prepare my special recipe. All the folks like it, especially the kids.”

Robin looked up at her warm face, wide-eyed with a warm feeling in her chest. Never had anyone made something special for her before…. Never. “Thank you, Jill. Thank you so much,” her voice had quivered, the tears pressing against her choking up her throat. She couldn’t even believe it.

Alarmed, the Alpha held her tighter as she started to cry in silent sobs, bringing her hands up to her face. He did not say anything as Jill approached gently and placed a hand on her shoulders. “It’s alright to cry, dear. I’m just glad the Alpha saved you and the other girls, really. We’re glad the Alpha found you, and we’re here to make you feel at home.”

Home…

The word struck a chord in Robin’s soul, and she couldn’t help but feel better than she did in her entire life to be able to hear that. Hopefully, she really would have this be her home…. With the warm beds and food… and the Alpha.

“I’m sorry,” Robin apologized, rubbing at her cheeks to wipe away her traitorous tears. “I don’t know what got into me.”

“No, please, don’t apologize. Now here,” Jill placed the warm cup of chocolate in her hands with a smile. “Drink up so you will feel better. I’ll go heat up some more.”

“Thank you, Jill.” The Alpha’s warm voice spoke from beside her, speaking for the first time in a while and reminding Robin of how foolish she must have looked to him.

Jill left her and the Alpha to head back towards the kitchen, where she now busied herself to give her and the Alpha some quiet together.

Robin felt quite small and weak beside the Alpha, thinking about her breakdown just moments ago. God, how could she face him after that? Crying over nothing…. She decided to train her gaze at the steaming cup in her hands, scared to see his face.

“Robin,” the Alpha had spoken first, but she was scared to look. She had cried too many times in front of him, he would have to get fed up soon. “Robin.” His voice was much closer now, just resting beside her ear and she shivered at the feeling that slid down her spine, that oh so beautiful feeling.

“Alpha, I am sorry for acting weird. I…. You have all treated me so well, my emotions just came over me.”

He only held her closer, now rubbing his nose against her hair and breathing in deep. She found that she wanted to turn and do the same to him as well, but she restrained herself.

“Don’t apologize. Were they happy tears, Robin?” the Alpha’s question startled her, but as she mulled it over she realized that they were happy tears in some weird way. She was happy.

“Yes,” she finally responded, lifting her eyes towards his where she found him gracing a small smile. “I- I am happy you and Jill thought of me. I am happy.”

He didn’t need to say anything else as he pressed a soft and lingering kiss on the side of her head which had her eyes shut close at the tingling feeling it left. “Then that is all that matters.”

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Robin couldn’t outright tell how many cups of chocolate she had finished, but she really wasn’t counting. She was happy to drink as much as she could with the Alpha silently watching over her and with Jill chatting about Jared, her son.

“He’s grown so much, Alpha, and he really wishes to start training soon. He talks about Bruce constantly, and I dare say he idolizes the poor man. Oh how they grow up so fast, but I still worry about him getting injured. It’s hard when he’s our only son.” Robin was trying to nod and understand as much as she could while sipping at what had to be her 7th cup of hot cocoa. Her 6th had been the Alpha’s own cup which he had given to her readily without a single word.

“We promise to take care of him, Jill. He is a strong boy with much promise,” his tone was reassuring and firm as he addressed the frazzled woman.

“Oh yes, I trust you and the officers very much, Alpha. It’s that poor child I worry about. His head is always in his heart, always impulsive really. Even more so with Blue and-“

The door opening had interrupted her words, and in entered 3 figures, one of which Robin had been searching for. Before Robin could even move, Jill was up off the nearby seat and rushing towards the largest of the bunch, the man named Quinn. He was a huge man, almost as huge as the Alpha, with dark brown hair and a matching bushy beard. Over his back, he carried with him a net full of tiny logs.

He gave Jill a tiny kiss before turning to the Robin and the Alpha and bowing his head. “Alpha, Luna, we apologize for making you wait.”

“It is alright, Quinn. Jill was just-“

“Robin!” the young voice was loud, and Robin could only see a blur before she was ambushed and knocked into by a frantic figure. Blue was holding her tight, her big blue eyes that she last saw held pain and sadness, now brimming with excitement. Robin hugged her tightly back. “Hi Blue, I’m glad you’re ok.”

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She had asked the Alpha if she and Blue could go outside to talk, which he immediately agreed to, even chiding her gently that she didn’t even have to ask. It still felt wrong for her not to, but she kept that to herself as she led the younger girl outside who was more than eager to talk to her.

Robin felt happy seeing Blue look much better, and though there was still a silent pain within her hesitant steps and wandering eyes, she had a smile on her face. She was also sporting a beautiful yellow dress with a matching clip in her hair. She looked well-cared for, and that was all Robin could ask for.

“It was a mess yesterday, after what had happened. I was worried about you, I saw you faint in the Alpha’s arms and thought the worst.” Blue found a spot on the grass where she sat on, plucking at the weeds. Robin sat down beside her, wanting to hear more. She couldn’t really remember much of what happened yesterday and was too scared to ask the Alpha.

“He looked like he was about to cry, you know,” Blue mused, patting at the grass. “Well, before he went after Bruce and the others anyway.”

Robin perked up at that and turned completely to face Blue. “The Claws… what happened to them?”

Blue’s face turned cloudy at the mention of their name, her hands stilling as she brought them into fists. “I hope the Alpha killed them. I really do.”

“You don’t know what happened?”

“He chased them off into the woods and the Beta took care of us, and you. I saw them take you away in a blanket. I wanted to go after you, but was too scared to say anything in front of the pack members. After that, we were brought into the infirmary and given food and medicine.”

“What happened after?” Robin pressed, curious as to if the younger girl knew of Jan coming back and trying to take her.

Instead, the young girl blushed profusely, her eyes widening. “I met Jared when we were brought to the infirmary, and… he told me I was his mate. He stayed beside me all the time, and he even brought me here. Jill and Quinn have taken care of me so well, Robin. Jill even let me borrow her old dress. I…” the girl trailed off, looking sad all of a sudden. “I’m just wondering if my parents were like that, you know. If they cared about me… if they miss me or even remember me. I can’t even remember them.”

At her tears, Robin immediately brought her close and tucked Blue’s head under her chin. She kept silent as she let the young girl let the tears out, knowing deep within her that it was what she desired as well. She knew that Blue needed this moment to let it all out, especially when it was so hard to express themselves when they were locked up.

When the girl’s sobs had died, Robin took a deep breath to clear her thoughts. “They miss you, Blue. I bet they’re out there looking for you, and you’ll find them soon.”

Blue sniffed. “I-I hope I will, but I don’t want to leave Jared. He says I am his mate, and I think it is true. He was very nice to me, Robin, not like Ron and Bruce and the others.”

“Shhh,” Robin patted down her hair. “Don’t worry, Blue. I’m sure they will understand, and we’ll work things out. I’ll help in what way I can.” Robin decided not to mention Jan possibly still being out there, not wanting to scare her into thinking that they could still harm her. Robin had to keep that dark secret to herself, of his words… his haunting words.

She knew she would have to turn to the Alpha. And if it meant she had to beg on her knees and risk everything, she would ask for help to find Blue… everyone else’s true home…. And hers as well.

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