Fallendrop cackled as he dragged Frostlight back to camp. The sun had barely risen above the horizon, yet Fallendrop could smell the first dawn patrol coming.

He quickly took a deep breath. He made himself look angry. Snakewhisker burst through the bushes, followed by Ivyclaw and Moonspot. Frostlight's body jerked with a new breath as the patrol emerged.

"What's happened?" Ivyclaw gasped. Her calico pelt was fluffed up in alarm.

Fallendrop pretended to growl. "Goldenstep cheated on my brother, just like she did with me!"

Snakewhisker's eyes widened. "Who did she meet with?"

Fallendrop gently prodded his brother awake.

Frostlight opened his eyes. "B-Bramblefla-flame!" he wailed.

Moonspot's mouth was set in a grim line. "That's evil."

Fallendrop nodded in agreement. His heart twinged. Shouldn't he be feeling sorry for his brother?

He shook his head a bit. No. It's his fault she left you.

Snakewhisker suddenly lifted his nose. He peered into the bush where Fallendrop had hidden himself, Cloudshine, and Frostlight. "Who's there?" he called.

Cloudshine pushed through the branches. She gazed at the patrol with a suprised look.

Ivyclaw was silent for a few moments after she had emerged. Suddenly she exclaimed, "Wait! Cloudshine, how did you get here? You had no idea whatsoever about the affair!"

Cloudshine put on a hurt look, widening her bright green eyes. "Honey, let me explain." She took a deep breath and flicked her tail. "I was sleeping, you know, and I heard this noise. So I was like 'I'm going to go check this out'. So I got up and looked out. Right?"

Ivyclaw looked suprised at being addressed. "Um... right?"

"M'kay. Where was I? Oh, right. So I look and see Fallendrop leading Frostlight out of camp. Fallendrop looked angry, so I'm like 'Why not follow them? I'm concerned about Fallendrop, right?"

Fallendrop couldn't help but snort at Snakewhisker's confused expression.

"'Kay, so I follow them, and what do I see? C'mon, guess, guess!"

Fallendrop felt Frostlight's body tremble in his paws.

Moonspot growled. "Just get on with it, fish-brain!"

Cloudshine looked taken aback. She narrowed her eyes at Moonspot. "So I go, and I see Goldenstep cuddling up to a ShadowClan tom! The deputy!"

Fallendrop nodded along with Cloudshine's words, pretending to look angry. Frostlight wailed, tears splashing onto Fallendrop's paws.

Ivyclaw sniffled. "Oh, Frostlight! Come here. Everything's okay."

Fallendrop gently nudged his brother over to the young she-cat. He quickly turned back to Cloudshine.

The she-cat pretended to yawn. "Welp, I'm going to go sleep. G'night!" She strutted past the patrol and into the bushes.

Snakewhisker gazed after her. He tore his gaze away from the shaking leaves and back to Fallendrop. "We'll look for Goldenstep." he reassured. The patrol bounded off.

Fallendrop smiled. His plan was going perfectly.


It had been a moon since the incident. Frostlight had settled down with Ivyclaw. Fallendrop didn't need to cause his brother any more pain. He had enough heartbreak to last for his lifetime.

Now I just need to find Goldenstep.

The she-cat had been missing for the past moon. Fallendrop, Frostlight, and Cloudshine had been the last to see her.

Fallendrop grinned when he spotted Cloudshine from across the stream. She was lying in the sun, chatting with Gingertrout and Minnowsplash. She spotted him and waved her tail.

Fallendrop smiled. We make a great team!

The she-cat had quickly slept for a few hours after the incident. She woke up and immediatly told the second and third biggest gossipers of the Clan what had happened. The story spread like wildfire. Soon, every cat in the Clans knew of the betrayal. Brambleflame had been removed from his position as deputy.

He felt anger stir inside him. No! Fallendrop, no mates ever again. Go find Goldenstep.

He nodded to Cloudshine, starting to walk towards the entrance. He halted at the entrance, gazing upon his Clan. Then he turned and walked through the entrance.


"Goldenstep! Goldenstep!"

The cries echoed down the alleyway, resounding in her ears. She winced.

Who is that?

She quickly leapt to the top of the fence, balancing precariously on the thin wood slabs. She gazed down the alleyway.

"Wha-"

The tom stared up at her, his pelt blending in with the gloom of the alley. He peered up at her, his eyes icy chips in the darkness.

"Do you know who Goldenstep is?"

She recognized him, but just couldn't remember who he was. She took a deep breath.

"I'm Goldenstep. Can I- agh!"

The world went black as he leapt at her.


Fallendrop felt a laugh building up in his throat. He carried an unconcious Goldenstep in his jaws. Her body jerked with every movement.

The scent of Moonspot wafted over his nose. "Fallendrop, what- oh! Is that Goldenstep?"

Fallendrop nodded. He couldn't see Moonspot through Goldenstep's fur, but he knew she was there.

"Here, let me- help you."

Moonspot scooted under Goldenstep's body, then stood, holding the other she-cat on her back.

Fallendrop nodded his thanks. "Do you mind if I go back to camp to tell Sagestar that I've found Goldenstep?"

Moonspot shook her head. "Go ahead. I'll meet you there."

Fallendrop couldn't help but laugh while he raced through the beech trees.


I stood on the Great Oak, surveying the crowd of Clan cats below me. At the foot of the tree, my two strongest warriors- Duskshade and Mottlewhisker- were guarding Goldenstep.

I waved my tail to get attention. The other leaders signaled to be quiet.

When the island was completly silent I stood. "May I speak first?"

Hawkstar and Sorrelstar nodded their agreement. Sunstar remained silent.

"Thank you."

I cleared my throat and began speaking.

"Prey is swimming well in RiverClan. Ivyclaw is expecting Frostlight's kits, and we have one new apprentice: Splashpaw."

I paused as the Clans cheered for my daughter. I couldn't have felt prouder.

"We also have exciting news. Fallendrop has captured Goldenstep!"

Murmurs spread through the island as I continued. "She cheated on said captor with his brother, then cheated on the brother, Frostlight, with Brambleflame of ShadowClan!"

That had provoked a reaction in Sunstar. "What?!" Her luminous blue eyes were wide.

"Yes. We have not decided what to do with her yet. Will the leaders help me make a decision?"

Sorrelstar nodded, while Hawkstar and Sunstar exclaimed, "Yes!" at the same time.

I nodded. "Okay. Thank you. We'll decide after the Gathering."

Hawkstar nodded. "ThunderClan is well. We have a new medicine cat apprentice- Mintpaw." he paused for cheers. "Spidershade has also given birth to Vinekit and Newtkit. Thank you."

Sorrelstar smiled. "Congratuations. ShadowClan is doing well, too. We have three new warriors. Cheer for Badgershade, Pricklecloud, and Icedapple!"

After Sunstar shared her report, I waved my tail to get the Clans' attention. "Fallensplash, Frostlight, and Cloudshine, please meet us at the base of the Great Oak."

I leapt down, followed by the leaders. It was time to decide.