Chapter 7

...

Leafpool grabbed a large starling to feed Mousefur and brought it to her den where she hid it in the back. Not a second to spare. Jayfeather entered the den just after.

Unfortunately, Mousefur came in only moments later to retrieve the starling.

She stopped when she saw Jayfeather.

"Oh, um...hello."

Jayfeather flinched, confused.

"I think I might be expecting kits. Will one of you check?"

Leafpool sprang to it a little too quickly.

Jayfeather gave her a suspicious glance.

"Mousefur, aren't you a bit too old?"

Mousefur hissed at him.

"Well, Mousefur, you are correct. A moon to go."

Mousefur nodded. "Thanks, Leafpool."

Jayfeather watched Mousefur closely.

News spread quickly throughout the camp.

"I thought for sure you couldn't have kits anymore," Daisy mewed.

Ferncloud decided to play along, even though she knew the truth very well. "Congratulations, Mousefur!"

Leafpool stayed back in order not to raise suspicion.

She felt something on her tail, then her sister's voice.

"Owlkit, Nightkit, get off Leafpool's tail!"

...

Leafpool fell asleep in her nest and didn't wake up until mid-afternoon the next day.

Jayfeather was standing over her.

"Well, you slept very long. What I would expect from a queen."

Leafpool's heart pounded. Did he know?

"I haven't gotten much sleep lately." she rose to her paws. "We're low on juniper. Will you collect some?"

"Okay. I'll do that now."

She could feed Mousefur with Jayfeather out of the camp.

Leaving her den, she dragged a vole off the fresh-kill pile.

She heard snickering behind her. She turned around and found Dustpelt sitting beside Thornclaw.

"You'd better stop eating so much, Leafpool. You're starting to look plump."

Leafpool gritted her teeth. Jayfeather was already close to the truth. How long until the whole clan found out her secret?

...

Remember, I need name ideas.