Warriors: Poisoned Loyalty {COMPLETED}

Chapter 9

Poppypool sat at the edge of camp, her gaze distant as she watched the sun begin its slow descent below the horizon. The golden light bathed the camp in a warm glow, but it did nothing to ease the chill that had settled in her chest. Her thoughts were miles away, tangled with guilt, fear, and the overwhelming weight of her secret.

Footsteps sounded softly behind her, but she didn't turn around. She knew who it was before he even spoke.

"Poppy," Hawkflight's voice was low but firm, carrying a mix of concern and frustration. "We need to talk."

Poppypool sighed, her shoulders tensing. She'd been avoiding this conversation for as long as she could, but her brother had always been perceptive- too perceptive for her liking. She glanced at him from the corner of her eye, seeing the tension in his stance, the way his ears twitched with unease.

"I'm fine, Hawkflight," she said, her voice flat and tired, hoping the lie would be enough to end it.

But Hawkflight wasn't so easily deterred this time. He padded closer, his yellow eyes narrowing as he sat beside her. "No, you're not. You've been so distant, Poppy. You look like you haven't slept in days, and those injuries..." His gaze flicked to the scratches and bruises still healing on her body. "You think I didn't notice? I'm not blind."

Poppypool clenched her jaw, her heart beating faster. She could feel the weight of his stare, his worry, but she couldn't tell him the truth. Not about Rowantail. Not about the Dark Forest. It would break him.

"I'm just tired," she muttered, keeping her gaze fixed on the horizon. "I've been busy with the herbs, Spiritsight...it's nothing."

Hawkflight's tail lashed in frustration. "Don't lie to me, Poppy. I know you better than that. You're hiding something, and it's tearing you apart. Why won't you let me help you?"

Poppypool's throat tightened, her heart aching at the desperation in his voice. She wanted to confide in him, to pour out everything that had been weighing on her, but the words refused to come. What could she possibly say? That she was responsible for Darkeyes' death? That she killed Stormfern? That she considered killing Otterfire? All because their father manipulated and used her?

"I'm not hiding anything," she said quietly, though the tremor in her voice betrayed her. "You're just imagining things."

Hawkflight let out a sharp breath, his frustration mounting. He stood up, pacing in front of her as if he couldn't contain his emotions any longer. "I'm not imagining anything, Poppy! You've changed, everyone can see it. You're not yourself anymore."

Poppypool looked away, guilt clawing at her insides. She could feel the tears threatening to spill over, but she forced them back, refusing to let him see how broken she felt. "I'm fine," she whispered again, but it sounded hollow even to her own ears.

Hawkflight stopped pacing and turned to face her, his eyes blazing with a mix of hurt and anger. "Do you really think I'm that blind? That I don't know when something's wrong with my own sister?" His voice softened, though the pain lingered. "I'm worried about you, Poppy. I miss the way things used to be."

Poppypool felt her heart constrict, a sharp pain of regret cutting through her. She had pushed him away, along with everyone else, and now her actions were unraveling the bond they'd once shared. But how could she possibly explain the darkness she'd fallen into?

"I miss it too," she whispered, her voice barely audible. She couldn't meet his gaze, her eyes fixed on the ground.

For a long moment, Hawkflight was silent, his frustration ebbing away into something softer- something sadder. He sat beside her again, his tail brushing lightly against hers. "Then let me in, Poppy," he said, his voice much gentler now. "You don't have to carry whatever this is alone."