Prologue
The silver tabby she-cat slipped through the crack in the rock, her belly swollen with unborn kits. A single figure stood, outlined against the bright moon. The she-cat sighed. "Oh StarClan, why does this have to be so painful?" she meowed. Staggering up, she faced the cat. "Mudheart," she murmured. Mudheart dipped his head.
"Stormflight," he greeted. Stormflight hung her head. "I-I'm sorry," she meowed. "But we can't go on meeting like this." She stared into Mudheart's cold, amber eyes, pain piercing her heart. Mudheart turned and stalked away.
"Fine," he meowed, his voice sounding almost like a growl. "Leave." His voice showed no emotion, as he bounded back to the moor.
Stormflight stared helplessly after him, her heart cracking. "Mudheart, I wish you could understand," she murmured. "It's for our kits' safety." She bent her head and gently lapped at her belly fur. Her green eyes drifted up again, towards the river. "We'll be safe," she meowed, standing taller. "But that means, goodbye, Mudheart."
She retreated back, stumbling a bit. Stormflight bounded awkwardly back to the safety of the river, and vanished into the reeds. Her heart would break, but she would never look back.