Nightbreeze's life was generally peaceful and good after that. The hunting was fine enough in the territory, it seemed, and the kittypets and rogues were leaving them alone. With Boulderfur at her side, she didn't have any trouble settling into warrior life. It seemed that Froststar was leaving her alone for the time being. She was grateful. The only mate she wanted was Boulderfur.
Three moons later, it was time for her brother's warrior ceremony. He was named Spiderleap, and he was never more proud. Neither was Blackstrike, Nightbreeze, or also newly named Ravenpool. Everything seemed perfect.
Boulderfur took it upon himself to explain to her how mate assignment worked. He had been dropping hints to Froststar to hopefully assign her Boulderfur as a mate.
How it worked, was once a cat was twelve moons or older, they were allowed to apply for a mate. The leader, the deputy, and the medicine cat would agree upon a mate for were given a mate with similar skills as theirs, so their kits would also have those skills. However, the mate they were assigned doesn't have to apply, however they also can't argue with the choice. Nightbreeze thought that was a bit off, but she didn't say anything. She was determined that Boulderfur would be her mate.
Nightbreeze was called into Froststar's den a few days after that. She was a bit nervous, but she walked in. Redheart and Goldensong were in the den with him, waiting for her. Her breath caught in her throat. She was being assigned a mate. She sat down in front of them.
"Nightbreeze, we have reviewed your skillset and your personal preferences." Froststar mewed, looking up at her. She nodded, silent.
Yes, I know. My personal preference is Boulderfur! Her whole body wanted to scream.
"And, as you know, I am mateless. The three of us agree...that your new mate will be me, Froststar." Froststar looked at her.
Nightbreeze felt her body grow cold as she stared at him. Froststar would be her mate?
"We are aware that you wanted Boulderfur as a mate, however, he is too heavily built for someone like you." Froststar said. She looked at him, wanting to wail. He was also heavily built! How could he say that the physique of her chosen mate wasn't good enough?
"But…" She mewed.
"I think you will come to realize that this is the best choice for the Clan." He said, staring down at her. She swallowed hard and nodded.
"Of course, Froststar. I couldn't agree more." She forced herself to say, looking down. The back of her mind went to Boulderfur, her beloved Boulderfur. She wilted.
"Please, try to cheer up, Nightbreeze. I promise, you'll come to like this decision." Froststar padded over, wrapping his paw around her. She wanted to squirm away from him, but she didn't move. She was stiff as a board. She felt his tongue on her neck and she closed her eyes, uncomfortable.
"I'm sure I will." She almost choked the words out, refusing to look at him. Eventually, he released her, once his scent was sufficiently on her neck. She smelled like him, and it made her head swim in a bad way.
"There we are. Now, then. Go back to your duties." Froststar instructed. She nodded, quickly walking out of his den. Boulderfur greeted her eagerly.
"So?" He asked. She couldn't meet his gaze as she looked down.
"Froststar." She croaked out.
"What do you mean?" He asked, and then he caught his brother's scent.
"What?" He asked incredulously. "But...But I told him…!" He snarled, running into the leader's den. Nightbreeze turned, watching him. There was loud screeching, and Boulderfur was chasing Froststar.
"Take this out of camp!" Froststar snarled, leaping out of the hole in the wall. Nightbreeze ran after, watching. Boulderfur attacked Froststar, pinning him in the asphalt and clawing at him. Froststar was dealing his own fair share of wounds on his brother.
"I told you I loved her!" Boulderfur screeched. Froststar said nothing, just continued defending himself. The sound of a monster could be heard, and she wanted to warn them. However, her voice was caught in her throat.
"You know how the system works, Boulderfur!" Froststar yelled. "I get the first pick, you get what's left."
"That isn't fair, Froststar!" Boulderfur was standing on the darker dirt, and Froststar was on the lighter hard dirt.
"Life isn't fair, Boulderfur. Quit crying like a mewling kit." He snarled. Boulderfur tried to lash out at him, but Froststar just batted him back with a claw to the face. The Monster roared, and Froststar got away. However, Boulderfur didn't get out of the way in time. With a sickening thud, the Monster thundered past.
"No!" Nightbreeze screamed. She ran out, pushing past Froststar as she nosed Boulderfur. He was bleeding from a wound on his back leg.
"Goldensong! Ravenpool!" Nightbreeze called for the medicine cats. Boulderfur was passed out, probably from pain or from impact. The two medicine cats came rushing out.
"Help us carry him into the medicine den." Goldensong instructed. Nightbreeze carefully slid herself under Boulderfur, supporting him. He groaned, coming to. She carried him into the den with the medicine cats and stood by, watching them.
"Nightbreeze, you're going to be in the way." Ravenpool scolded. "Go hunt some fresh-kill. We will do our best to heal him."
Nightbreeze forced herself to pad away, but she was worried. The medicine cats didn't have many herbs that they could use. She was worried her love would be permanently injured. She padded into the clearing. Froststar walked over to her, and she instantly was filled with dread.
"Nightbreeze." He mewed. Nightbreeze looked over at him.
"I do hope you won't let your feelings for Boulderfur linger too long." He mewed sternly. "I am your mate now, and I would appreciate you at least attempting to make the best of things."
Nightbreeze felt a wave of guilt wash over her. It was true that he had been assigned to her, and he didn't really get much of a choice in this, either. He was being kind to her, for the most part. She should at least try to be nice back.
Still, she found it hard to do just that. She let him groom her, and she forced herself to draw her tongue over his white pelt and clean his wounds for him. Every stroke of his tongue made her pelt crawl, and she felt disgusted as she did the same to him. She didn't want this. She didn't want him. She wanted the strong warrior in the medicine den, who was probably dying or fighting for his life.
He showed her to his den. She forgot that she would be sleeping with him from now on. She didn't want to, but she forced herself to curl up next to him, and her whole body was uncomfortable as he wrapped his tail around her. She closed her eyes, but she didn't fall asleep that night.