Dark Destinies {Book 1}

Chapter 7

HOLLYPAW

When I awoke it was because of Ashpaw gently probing me with a big grey paw. He smiled down at me when I fluttered my eyes open.

“Wake up! Hiddenstar’s announcing whose going to the gathering soon.” Ashpaw meowed excitedly.

I stood in my nest and stretched my still tired limbs with a yawn; clearly my nap hadn’t sedated my exhaustion. I began to lightly groom my pelt.

“Aren’t you excited?” Ashpaw meowed quizzically.

“No and yes. I mean I’m mostly nervous.” I admitted, Ashpaw licked my head condolingly.

“Don’t worry.” He soothed.

“Yeah because you probably won’t even get picked to go anyway.” Krestelpaw sneered making Ashpaw and I jump, we thought we’d been alone!

Ashpaw and I rolled our eyes and padded past Krestelpaw into the clearing. Dusk was blanketing camp and the stars and moon were slowly appearing overhead.

We met up with Copperpaw and Brindlepaw who were anxiously waiting.

“Hello!” Brindlepaw squeaked as we approached, I smiled.

“Hi.”

“Hey.” Ashpaw greeted but mainly toward Copperpaw.

“Hey.” Copperpaw meowed with a smile towards me, I ducked my head and blushed.

“Cats of Iceclan gather hear beneath Snow Rock for a clan meeting.” Hiddenstar yowled as he climbed on top of the towering boulder. “Tonight is the gathering and I shall be announcing who will be attending this evening.”

Ashpaw shifted anxiously beside me but I couldn’t really focus; a million little doubts and anxieties were whirling around my brain, the fear of being judged at the gathering by other clan cats most of all.

“Robinsong, Splashfoot, Poppylight, Copperpaw, Owlclaw, Hollypaw, Larkwind, Ashpaw, Rabbitwhisker, Sunray and Doveleap.” Hiddenstar finished. “Dismissed.”

He leapt from the Snow Rock and my stomach dropped to my paws while Ashpaw’s smile widened.

“Looks like we’ll be going to the gathering together.” Copperpaw purred form beside me.

“Yeah! I’m so excited.” Ashpaw gushed happily.

“So when are we leaving?” Krestelpaw asked languidly to Copperpaw. She’d just made her appearance in the clearing and had clearly missed everything Hiddenstar had said.

“Actually just me, Ashpaw and Hollypaw are going tonight.” Copperpaw explained matter-o-factually.

Krestelpaw stared wide-eyed and slack-jawed at me and my brother.

“So it’s just me alone tonight?” Krestelpaw asked blankly.

“No you’ll have Brindlepaw.” Ashpaw pointed out.

“Great…” Brindlepaw muttered sarcastically.

Krestelpaw narrowed her pretty eyes and flicked her tail; “Fine then. Tch.” With that she turned on her paws and stalked back to the apprentice den.

Brindlepaw looked at me then back at Krestelpaw, she rolled her eyes but then smiled and rested her long tail on my shoulder.

“Going to gatherings is exciting! You’ll meet all of our friends and you’ll get to talk and sometimes play. I know you’ll have so much fun.” Brindlepaw meowed in a blur.

“Are the other clan apprentices nice?” I asked hesitantly.

“Of course! Besides Copperpaw will protect ya if anything goes bad.” Brindlepaw winked, I blushed embarrassedly. Copperpaw who had apparently overheard our conversation came over and rubbed his shoulder against mine causing me to blush even harder.