Warriors: Life in the Clans Book 1

Chapter 2: Clans

The tree's branches shook as the wolf threw its body against it, trying to knock the cats out of it.

"Get away you stupid furball!!" Lightning hissed and spat at the wolf.

Suddenly the tree cracked, and both cats were thrown to the forest floor.

Lilac landed on a tree stump while Lightning hit a branch.

She shook her head, seeing stars, then saw the wolf stand up and growl.

"Run!!"

Both cats scrambled to their feet and barely avoided the wolf's fangs.

Lilac raced past a log and flew through the forest like a cheetah, Lightning, a few fox lengths ahead of her.

Suddenly they came to a river, the marsh at their feet sinking, threatening to push them in.

"We can't jump that!" Lilac screeched over the swirling current.

She noticed Lightning's eyes aimed on the bank.

"We've got to try!" Lightning howled before launching herself into the river.

Am I really going to do this?

Lilac looked back and saw the wolf quickly approaching. "Okay I am!" She said aloud.

Instantly Lilac tossed herself into the river, thrashing against the waves.

Then she felt one current change so she paddled through it, running through the water with ease, her head gently moving through the current.

Lightning, on the other paw, wasn't handling the current as well.

"Help!" The brown she-cat gasped before her head was dunked under water again.

Lilac turned to her friend, fatigue pulling on her muscles, and pulled her head from under the surface. Lightning wasn't struggling at all.

Lilac faced the river bank and pushed through the waves.

"I can do this!"

She focused on her legs and pretended she was running through the woods, for a few moments she smelled her father's scent in the air.

Inferno taught me that...

It worked!!

A heartbeat later, Lilac dragged her friend onto the other side of the river.

The wolf barked in anger but disappeared into the trees.

Lilac pushed on her friend's chest until Lightning coughed up water, gasping for air.

"Are you alright?!" Lilac asked, tears streaming down her face.

I thought I lost her...

Lightning coughed again, then looked up at Lilac.

"Well... I guess you repaid your debt for when I saved your life from the dog."

Lilac nodded and licked her friend's ear as relief warmed her chest.

The faint sound of barking gradually exploded in the distance. The wolf, found a way across the river...

"Oh no, Lightning, we've got to go!!!"

The tired brown tabby she-cat nodded and struggled onto her paws, with a little help from Lilac.

"Let's go."

The wolf's growling noises got louder as the she-cats bolted away from the swirling river.

Lilac glanced back and saw the wolf just a few fox lengths behind them.