Prologue:

"As treason for his acts, Darkheart will spend the rest of his days a loner." Hawkstar growled as his amber eyes stared accusingly down at the dark warrior. Darkheart glared up at him and snarled. Around him, his former clanmates and family looked at him with looks of hostility and disappointment. Even his mate, Shadowblaze, glared at him as her tail wrapped protectively around their three kits, Sleetkit, Blizzardkit, and Blackkit.

"How could you?" She snarled. Blizzardkit looked up at Darkheart with fearful blue eyes. It caused him to flinch.

"I did what I had to." Darkheart snapped back. Shadowblaze shook her head and led her kits into the nursery. The last thing he saw of them was Blizzardkit's gleaming blue eyes.

"Any last words before you leave Darkheart?" Hawkstar yowled, catching Darkheart's attention.

"All I'm going to say is, I WILL have vengeance." Darkheart growled as he stared challengingly at Thunderclan. Ravenblaze jumped to her paws and spat at him. Beside her Amberstrike and Moonfrost yowled insults at him.

"Say that to my face you piece of fox dung!" The Thunderclan deputy yowled as she unsheathed her claws. Darkheart unsheathed his claws and jumped on her, easily pinning the black she-cat down.

"Your first on my list you worthless she-cat." He snarled into her ear. They began to wrestle and he hit her hard in the chest with his claws. Blood spattered onto him and Ravenblaze dropped to the ground. Her turquoise eyes glazed over as the blood continued to pump out of her wound. Darkheart stared down at her in horror. He had killed Ravenblaze! He immediately turned and raced out of the camp. I killed her; I killed her, I KILLED HER! He cried as he ran through the forest.

He raced out of Thunderclan territory and didn't stop until he couldn't run anymore. By then he was well away from Thunderclan, in a strange forest. He fell to the ground and a wave of darkness overtook him. The last thought that ran through his head was vengeance.

Hawkstar crouched beside his mate and buried his muzzle into her cold fur. Her once beautiful turquoise eyes were now cold and blank. Tears ran down the leaders face as he looked at her.

"I love you Ravenblaze, may you hunt well in Starclan…" He murmured. "Tell Silverberry I said hello, and that I'm sorry I couldn't protect you." Beside him Thunderclaw, Moonfrost, and Midnightdawn crouched.

Hawkstar looked up at Silverpelt and sent a silent plea to them.

How could you take my mate from me?