The Heart of a Lion

Chapter 17: Together Again

I held my ground. Upon seeing me, Lionblaze slackened his grip on Breezepelt. My Clanmate instantly leaped to his feet again, spitting and hissing. Lionblaze's gaze never left mine.

I expected warmth in his eyes, but the emotion of betrayal and anger sucked me in and cut me to the core. I wanted to flinch away from it. Maybe knowing that I caused it was enough for me to hold steady.

"Lionblaze," I said softly. "Don't hurt Breezepelt. That will not solve anything. You can't harm another warrior in vain because of me."

"I think you've done enough. This has nothing to do with you anymore," Lionblaze answered, looking away from me quickly as if it hurt him just to meet my eyes.

"Please, just listen to me. This has gone on far enough. Just let me explain."

Breezepelt's fur prickled and he stepped closer to me. "What do you mean, Heathertail? You should think about what you tell Lionblaze. He might not understand that we are mates now."

I bit back the urge to attack him right there and then. How dare he loom the threat of exposing my secret over my head when I just saved him from being shredded? He should be grateful to me! "You be quiet. We are not mates, and you have no reason to go around pretending like we are. I don't love you," I spat. No words ever felt so good.

Breezepelt blinked helplessly. "Honey-"

"And don't you ever call me that again!" I thundered. "Ever! You can't blackmail me into being your dream mate."

He smirked and glanced at Lionblaze. "Be careful what you wish for, Heathertail. You will regret your actions if you keep talking."

I swiped out with a paw, catching him across the eye with a claw. "Go ahead and tell them! Tell them all. I don't care anymore! I can't take the lies. At this point, I can't possibly think less of you so you might as well go. No matter what happens to me, it is way better than spending one more second pretending to be your mate!"

Breezepelt smiled evilly. "I will. There is no doubt about that." He hissed loudly and then vanished back into the battle.

I gasped from the exhileration of telling him off. I turned to Lionblaze, who stood passively the whole time. "Lionblaze…"

"You meant every word you said," he said slowly.

"Of course I did. Breezepelt blackmailed me. He found out that you and I had kits. He forced me to go to the border that night and lie to you that we were together or he would tell the whole Clan my secret. I didn't know what to do. I didn't mean any of it, and I am so sorry I hurt you. Please believe me. It is what I ahd to do to protect us and the kits," I pleaded. I hung my head. Why should he forgive me? I thought. After all the lies I told that hurt him, he had every right to walk away right now and never see me again. I couldn't bear to think of what I would do if that happened. Fall over and die?

Lionblaze caught me off guard when he shoved his body against mine, tucking my head into his shoulder. Lightning bolts fizzed under my skin, and I reveled in his warm touch that I missed so much. I felt safe like nothing could ever hurt me again. Not Breezepelt, not anyone.

"I forgive you. I would be a mouse-brain not to. You are the love of my life, you know."

It was like the sounds of battle no longer existed in the background.

"What about Breezepelt? He will tell everyone. Lionblaze, I'm scared of what will happen. What about the kits?" My voice was heavy with despair as I thought of our bleak future.

"Everything will be fine," he assured me. I almost believed it. "I know it will."

I sighed. 'I don't see how. I just can't do this anymore."

"I know." Lionblaze moved away from me and met my fears with words of strength. "I know what we're going to do. It won't be easy to do though. I am afraid it is our only option. Do you want to hear it?"

I feared Lionblaze's idea, but I was willing to do anything to protect our relationship and our three precious kits. Without faltering, I answered, "I'll do it."