Warrior Cats: Shadow Propechy (ENG VER.)

CHAPTER 18

The cold weather continued to prevail, making all the cats uncomfortable. After Treestripe's conversation with Salmonnose, Wolfstar had become calmer, however, he was unable to contain his anger when he saw Brownpaw alone again among the other apprentices.

To his surprise, Sludgepaw was among the others. Every time Wolfstar entered Morningcloud's den for the past few moons, the dark apprentice was at her side, asking questions and helping her organize the herbs.

Sharpear was also busy with Clan tasks, but even so, the apprentice should be patrolling and hunting, not wasting time on medicine. But Sharpear himself had told Wolfstar to leave it alone.

As he approached, Wolfstar was revered by the younger cats. "Is everything in order?" Wolfstar meowed, finding his own authoritarian tone strange.

"Sunnypaw was telling you about the border raiders again," Sludgepaw replied, not meeting Wolfstar's eyes.

Wolfstar agreed, remembering his fight with Treestripe. They had already forgiven each other, but the insecurity and fear of a surprise attack from the GroveClan still haunted Wolfstar. After pondering for hours, Wolfstar came to the conclusion that attacking the group of invaders was almost inevitable, even with his intervention.

Brownpaw listened intently to Sunnypaw's words, his green eyes wide. "The GroveClan really is terrible!" The apprentice spat. "Don't they know that all clans are starving?"

Wolfstar looked at the apprentice with curious eyes. His words contained no hatred, only confusion and innocence. If only it were that easy, he thought. Indeed, it would be great if the clans agreed that during the cold seasons every cat should unite and hunt together.

But any cat who has witnessed the ferocity of those around them would know that this is impossible. Wild cats are dangerous and ambitious animals. Every cat wants to have a warm place to sleep and prey in their bellies, and so they all hunt and work together, but not everything is perfect.

In Wolfstar's view, the idea of having five Clans in the territories is more than welcome. Having his own clan, his own cats, is what makes him proud to hunt and patrol his territory. Fighting, loving and losing were part of that pride. However, peace during a cold season would be good.

But as he looked around, Wolfstar noticed for the first time how reasonably well fed his cats were. Not slender as in the greenleaf season, but not skinny as in the leaf-bare season. They were fine, for cats who couldn't catch more than two mice a day.

"Regardless of what they think, the GroveClan will no longer rob us."

Wolfstar and the apprentices turned around, coming face to face with Tinypaw. The—now enormous apprentice—was walking toward Wolfstar, his long fur shining white.

"Tinypaw" Wolfstar shook his tail, calling him closer. He turned to the other apprentices, looking at each one present. "He's right. We will defend our territory with tooth and claw."

They agreed, continuing their conversation once the leader walked away, followed by his white apprentice. "Well said," Wolfstar meowed, looking at the cat beside him.

"Thank you" Tinypaw lowered his head slightly in gratitude.

Wolfstar opened his mouth, but his speech was interrupted by a shrill meow. The cats in the camp faced the tunnel, where the sound had come from. Nightsky's scent was soon felt, and Wolfstar's heart sank.

The black warrior warrior ran in, meeting the leader's yellow eyes shortly after. "Wolfstar! We found an invader in our territory!"

The leader raised his hair, approaching. "What? Who?!"