Warriors: Poisoned Loyalty {COMPLETED}

Chapter 15

Poppypool's heart pounded in her chest as she hurriedly gathered cobwebs and goldenrod from the herb store. Newtflake lay unconscious in the center of the medicine den, his fur matted with blood, his sides heaving with shallow, labored breaths. Cedarpelt, barely alive, was a mass of wounds, and every groan he made sent a sharp pang of dread through her.

"How did this happen?" Poppypool whispered to herself, her paws moving on instinct as she pressed cobwebs onto Newtflake's wounds. "How could they be so bold?"

The smell of blood filled the den, mingling with the bitter tang of herbs. Her paws trembled as she worked, trying to ignore the tightening feeling in her chest. The rogues weren't just a distant threat anymore– they were on GlacierClan's tail, attacking her apprentice, her Clanmates.

And she had no doubt who was behind this: Rowantail. The thought of her father twisted like a thorn in her mind. His smug face after the camp raid, his cruel threats. Was this his doing? Did he somehow send the rogues to punish her for denying him? For not killing Otterfire?

Poppypool pushed the thought aside, focusing instead on Newtflake's shallow breathing. She couldn't afford to lose him too, not him. "Hold on, Newtflake," she whispered. "Please, just hold on."

Outside, the camp buzzed with tension like a horde of bees. The news of the rogue attack had spread like greencough, and the Clan was on edge. Patrols were being sent out to fortify the borders, and warriors whispered anxiously amongst themselves. Daisystep... Daisystep still hadn't returned. She hadn't been found. Her heart felt like it was being squashed between two boulders.

Poppypool's fur prickled as she finished bandaging up Newtflake's wounds. He was stable– for now– but the fear of losing him gnawed at her. She felt the familiar pang of guilt, wondering if Rowantail was pulling the strings. Would the rogues strike again?

She turned to Cedarpelt, who was barely conscious. His wounds were severe, and his breathing was shallow. Poppypool worked swiftly, but a sense of hopelessness crept in. She couldn't save them all, not while the Clan was still under seige from within.

Suddenly, a shadow fell over her.

"Poppypool."

Hawkflight's voice snapped her out of her frantic thoughts, and she looked up, her eyes meeting his. He stood in the entrance of the medicine den, his expression tense with concern, but there was a fire in his gaze– one that told her he wasn't here just to check on her.

"We need to talk."

"Now is a really bad time, Hawkflight," she muttered, her voice tight as she turned back to Cedarpelt, carefully pressing more moss on his more severe injuries.

"I know it's a bad time," Hawkflight replied, stepping forward. "But you've been avoiding me, and I can't–"

"I said it's a bad time!" Poppypool snapped, her tone sharper than she intended. "My apprentice is injured, Cedarpelt is dying, and Daisystep... she hasn't come back! I don't have time for this!"

Hawkflight recoiled at her harsh tone, his tail lashing once before he narrowed his eyes. "I get that you're upset, but I know something is wrong, and you've been keeping things from me for moons. I'm your brother, let me help–"

"You're not helping by barging in here!" Poppypool interrupted, her voice rising as she spun around to face him. "I can't deal with your accusations right now! Cedarpelt is dying, Hawkflight, and I'm trying to save him! I don't have time to entertain the same conversation we've been having for moons!"

Hawkflight's ears flattened, a flash of hurt crossing his face before it was quickly replaced by frustration. "I'm not accusing you of anything! I'm trying to–"