The Heart of a Lion

Chapter 10: Breezepelt and I Go for a Walk

Whitetail purred when she caught sight of the kits. She came by often to see them, and I loved her company.

"They are sleeping right now," I said quietly, licking each of their heads so they wouldn't wake up.

"How about you go out and stretch. You haven't been out of the nursery since the Gathering four nights ago," she insisted.

"I can't do that," I answered. "They are too young to leave right now. What is they need something?" You left them four nights ago, I reminded myself. But that was for Lionblaze. That's different!

"I can watch them," Whitetail persisted. "Actually, Breezepelt was looking for you. I think you should talk to him."

I stiffened but tried my best not to show it. "Why does he want to see me?" I kept the uncertainty out of my voice and tried to put on a semblance of mild curiosity.

"Just go." Whitetail stroked Swiftkit's head with her tail-tip. She gave me a wink, and I knew exactly what she was thinking. How many more cats in camp thought Breezepelt was my mate? I guess it was best for them to think something to cover up my secret love with Lionblaze, but it still bothered me. What did he want anyway? We didn't talk much since my kits were born. I suppose he felt betrayed that these kits were not his. I secretly knew how much he wanted me, but wasn't how things turned out.

I can't avoid this. Breezepelt needs to talk to me eventually. "Okay. I will go for a few minutes." I slipped out from under my kits. They didn't seem to mind now that Whitetail was here to take care of them. I nodded to my friend and slipped out of the nursery.

The camp was busy that morning. Ashfoot just returned from a patrol with Tornear, Nightcloud, and Harepaw. Each of them were carrying prey, and Harepaw proudly deposited his catch on the fresh-kill pile. It was good to see so much prey.

I didn't allow my gaze to linger to the rest of the clearing. I looked for Breezepelt. I caught sight of a black pelt sitting on the other side of the clearing, and when the cat looked up, I saw Breezepelt's amber eyes watching me, waiting.

I went over to him, and we met eye contact. "Good morning, Breezepelt. Did you want to talk to me about something? I hope it won't be long because my kits are very needy."

He nodded curtly, and to my surprise, he made no move to return my friendly greeting. "How about a short walk? You have not been outside camp in awhile. At least when you haven't been busy."

"Sure." I followed him through the camp barrier out to the open moorland beyond. I felt a crackling tension in the air, and for a moment I felt like returning back to camp. What happened to my old friend? What was wrong?

Breezepelt kept leading me farther and farther away from the camp. On the way, we almost met up with Weaselfur's patrol, but he skirted it, leading us to a silent place on the moor. All was quiet except for the slight rustle of the wind blowing through the grass.

"You have taken me this far. Can you tell me yet?" I asked.

His tail-tip twitched and he turned around. "I don't want to hear it," he snarled. "We both know why I brought you out here, and do not try to deny it. I saw you at the Gathering. Those are Lionblaze's kits!"

She couldn't keep it secret forever! Breezepelt knows now, and the action just keeps heating up.