Prologue Palewing padded to the clearing, where her mate Lionclaw waited for her. He didn’t have time to talk to her — ever since he became deputy he never did. His clanmates expected him to do every duty, do everything. He could never be absent from camp for too long. His golden tabby pelt shone in the setting sun. He shuffled his paws, avoiding her eyes. “I can’t stay out for too long, Palewing,” he muttered, his eyes glinting with worry. She gazed at him. “Where’s the kind and gentle cat I fell in love with moons ago?” she asked sadly, blinking at him. Her ears were flattened. “I’ve changed, and so have you. Change is part of life,” he meowed, his gaze now far away like he was lost in his thoughts. She allowed her tail to flick at his shoulder. “You’re so caught up in Clan life that you neglect family. You neglect me,” she protested, “And you should know.” Lionclaw shifted his paws, looking up. “I’m deputy now. I can’t care for two things at once!” He looked defiant, but the old Lionclaw would never have looked like that. She stared at him, willing him to understand. “What about kits?” she asked, her eyes shadowed. “Kits? What mouse-brained idea do you have now?” he growled harshly, then paused. “I don’t have time for kits,” he murmured gently to her. Palewing sat down heavily. “You don’t really have a choice, Lionclaw,” she whispered, “I’m pregnant with your kits.” He froze. She immediately braced herself for his fierce rebuke on why he was too busy with leadership, but he just gazed at her with joy in his green eyes. “Really?” he asked in delight. She nodded wordlessly, happy to see him happy. She had never thought he would react like this; she assumed he would be angry. She even overthought. “So do you get it now?” she asked warily, twitching her ears. She licked a paw and drew it over her head. “Yes, Palewing. I’ll try to be the best father I can be,” he told her resolutely, his eyes glowing. However much Palewing wished that were true, she knew her mate would never be able to do that; their leader, Graystar, was growing old and would retire soon. Then Lionclaw would be so busy, she wouldn’t get a chance to see him.
Picture of Berrynose and Honeyfern, but it works fine for Breezekit and Galekit when they grow up.
