"Dovewing, you need decide." Ivypool whispers in my ear. I look at her solemnly and duck my head.

"I know, but, it's just so hard."

"You must know what is best for you, Tigerheart, he's a Shadowclan warrior for Starclan's sake! Bumblestripe loves you. He always will. You must understand what the right thing to do is, Dovewing."

"Yeah, I know. I'm going to meet Tigerheart tonight. I will tell him when I meet him at the border."

"You need to tell Bumblestripe, too."

"Okay, but after I talk to Tigerheart."

"Alright, but don't stall, it will only make it worse."

Tigerheart's scent fills my nostrils, and his fur presses against mine, a bittersweet moment. I pull away.

"Tigerheart, I can't do this anymore!" I look away, unable to make eye contact.

"What?" His voice cracks, and I can imagine the hurt in his eyes.

"I can't see you anymore. We're breaking the warrior code!"

"But you never had a problem with it before!"

"That was before the dark forest was defeated! Now we will be caught, and we can't have another Thunderclan warrior breaking the code, not after Leafpool, or after the three,"

"The what?"

"Nothing. I'm sorry, Tigerheart, I just can't. Goodbye, Tigerheart."

"There's someone else, isn't there?"

"What?"

"Who is it? Tell me!"

"That's none of your business, mouse-brain!"

"Fine, then! Leave me alone. I hope I never see you again!"

"Goodbye, Tigerheart." With a swish of my tail, I was off, racing through the woods, tears streaking down my cheeks. I was suddenly at the edge of the lake, bawling my eyes out.

"Dovewing?"

"Bumblestripe?" I sniff.

"Are you okay?" His worried eyes shimmer in the moonlight.

"Yeah, I'm fine."

"No, you're not. What's wrong?"

I sigh. "I am so sorry, but, I've been seeing somebody else."

"What? Who? Foxleap? Toadstep? It's okay, I can't-"

"No, it's a Shadowclan warrior."

"What!?"

"I'm so sorry, I told him I won't see him anymore, because I love you, Bumblestripe, and I want to put this behind us. Please, can we forget about this?"

"Okay, but who else knows?"

"Only Ivypool."

"Dovewing, I love you, but tell me the truth. Do you really love me back?"

"Yes, Bumblestripe, I really do. Can you forgive me?"

He purrs, licking the top of my head. "Of course, my love." I press closer against him, purring. He pulls me against him, his breathing growing shallow. I sigh, feeling content.