Frostthorn purred as she touched noses with Stonepaw. It had been a while since she was happy. "Stonepaw, would you like to explore the territory?"
He nodded vigorously.
Stripepaw turned to Driftflame. "Please, please, please, can we go with them?"
Driftflame took a look at Frostthorn and agreed. "Sure."
Frostthorn turned back. "Would you like to come with us, Moonpetal?" She bounded towards them.
As the two apprentices bounced ahead with Moonpetal chasing, Driftflame grabbed hold of Frostthorn and pulled her so close she could smell the scent of fresh-kill on his tongue. "He'll become a great warrior with such a…perfect mentor." He glanced at her again, and she felt self-conscious. Why was he acting like this?
She pulled away, and the pain of the claw came again. Driftflame crouched, and Moonpetal called the apprentices.
Frostthorn began to speak. "Pain…claw…hurt…" Suddenly, she spotted a shape slithering towards her. Her veins turned as cold as ice.
Moonpetal spotted it too. "Snake!"
Driftflame bent down. "You were very lucky today. I'll have to try some other day." He then stood up and ran out of the snake's way. Some deputy.
She tried to lift herself, but the pain—the pain was too much. Ready for the end, she curled up into a ball.
"NO!"
Frostthorn opened her eyes. She was still on the grassy clearing, not StarClan. Who had saved her? Driftflame? Moonpetal? One of the apprentices?
In front of her was a sleek, white-furred warrior, clawing the amber snake. He killed it with a swift bite.
The warrior turned around. "Frostthorn, are you actually alright?"
It was Skywing!
"What are you doing here?" Blurted Driftflame.
Skywing looked at the ground. "I wanted to talk to Frostthorn." He turned to her. "How long has this been happening?
"A quarter moon." Frostthorn admitted. "I thought you didn't love me anymore."
He sighed, "It's my fault." He mewed. "I shouldn't have been so caught up in my own stuff and should have noticed that my mate was suffering."
Frostthorn smiled weakly.
Then, she fell.