Snowflake's Story

Chapter Thirty-Nine

A month passed.

The clowder had returned to the brick building. Only a few sticks of hay remained inside, and they were on the walls. Some of the growncats promised to help regather hay.

Apple played with Carrot's kittens a lot now. All of them seemed to enjoy it.

Snowflake found it weird to be on the ledge that River was usually on. Carrot came to her one day for advice.

"Snowflake..? Can I ask you something?" Carrot squeaked.

Snowflake leaped down from the ledge. "Of course. What is it?"

"Well.. Vixen and Leaf.. Have become very attached to Apple lately."

Snowflake's tail tip flicked. "And?"

Carrot glanced around as if she was checking for eavesdroppers. "And I think I have, too."

Snowflake nodded. "What's the problem?"

"Well, I just don't know how to tell her, and what if she hates me for it, and what if she stops spending time with the kittens, and--"

Snowflake quieted her with a nudge. "Apple isn't Liam. She's not rude, or hateful. If you tell her, i'm sure she won't stop playing with Vixen and Leaf just because of that. She's very loyal, Carrot. Just remember this: Apple is not Liam."

Carrot seemed stunned for a moment but blinked and dipped her head to Snowflake. "Thank you. I'll go tell her now." She turned around and padded away.

Snowflake would've watched the scene if her kittens hadn't ran up to her.

"Mom! Mom!" Echoing Call pawed at her foreleg. "Can we go on the ledge? Pleaaaase?~"

Snowflake shook her head. "No, no, sweetie. The ledge is for Alphas only. Besides, it can be dangerous for small kittens."

"Awww!" Snowy Blizzard whined.

Snowflake crouched down, her belly touching the ground. "But that doesn't mean I can't give you three a piggy back ride."

The kittens cheered and scrambled onto Snowflake's back, digging their tiny claws in.

Snowflake walked around with the kittens on her back, speeding them up and making them squeal with excitement.

And everything was perfect again.