***
Acornpaw approached the leader’s den, nervous and frustrated. How could Dovecry do this to him and the late Moorfur? Preposterous!
Murmurings sounded behind the lichen hanging in front of the cave entrance. “H- hello? Can I come in?” Acornpaw asked, stepping closer to the den to hear a reply.
The mutters quieted. Then the cheerful answer of “yes” interrupted the silence.
The brown tom pushed his way through the thick leaves. His heart skipped a beat at what he found inside.
Dovecry and Hazelstar were grooming each other. Hazelstar paused mid-lick and moved his broad head away from the she-cat’s shoulder. Their tails were twined together.
Acornpaw knew this was a clear sign of cat love. “Er, what’s going... on?” inquired the dark-tailed tom.
Hazelstar cleared his throat and responded, much apparently, “Your mother and I have fallen in love, Acornpaw.”
Dovecry bit her lip and added, “He asked me if I wanted to be mates with him, and I accepted.”
It felt as if Acornpaw’s whole world was turned upside down. “But what about Moorfur?” he demanded, whipping his tail angrily.
The two lovebirds exchanged a glance, and then Hazelstar evenly answered back, “Moorfur is in Dovecry’s past.”
Saltwater welled up in Acornpaw’s eyes. He tried to blink it away, but it was hard to believe that his father was being replaced... by the Clan leader!
Quickly Dovecry contributed to her mate’s statement. “I’m sure Moorfur would be flattered that I took on a new mate and didn’t sulk about his death. Please, Acornpaw-”
However, Acornpaw was already leaving the cool cave. He charged back through the lichen, glaring at his unsheathed claws.
Back in Hazelstar’s den, the ginger cat’s comeback to Dovecry’s worried gaze was a simple, “He’ll be used to it before long.”
Anxiety reflected in the gray-patched queen’s eyes. “I hope so.”
***
After an uneasy, unsettled nap, Acornpaw woke up again and marched out of the apprentices’ den. His paws led him to the fresh-kill pile, and Acornpaw realized how hungry he was.
He felt another pelt graze his, and he glanced to his right to see Cloverpaw standing next to him. She was breathing laboriously.
“Want to share this rabbit?” Acornpaw inquired the she-cat.
“Sure!” replied Cloverpaw enthusiastically. “Patrolling the ThunderClan border sure is a lot of work.” She sighed and chuckled at the same time.
Acornpaw lay down and dug into the small prey, savoring the wonderful taste of healthy, nutritious meat.
Cloverpaw ate lightly, and all the while was giggling with excitement.
Smiling slightly, Acornpaw canvassed her why she was laughing.
“I was just wondering if you feel what I feel,” she counterclaimed. “You know..... I kind of like you, Acornpaw. More than a friend, though.”
“What?” he coughed. “You mean you love me?”
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