The Rise of Light (Book 3: Together Forever)

Shadow

Night's POV

Falcon had been hanging out with me more than usual. It was positively affecting my mood.

Everyone I met would say that whenever he was around I would be happier, even if I didn't smile as much anymore.

My ears twitched when I heard a rock roll. Three... Two... DUCK! I dropped to my stomach as Falcon flew over me.

I smiled slightly at him. 

"You think this is funny?" he asked me. I nodded. "What am I saying? Of course, you find this funny!"

While he was rubbing his head I tackled him, we rolled backwards until I straightened out my back. We stopped with him landing on top of me.

Falcon looked at me in confusion when he found himself on top. I tried my best to look confused, too.

"You did this on purpose!" he shouted at me.

I huffed a laugh, "You're getting better at reading me," I replied.

"It certainly didn't get easier," he muttered but he was smiling now.

"Why are you smiling?"

"Y-you laughed!" he said and started dancing around, grinning like mad. "You laughed!" he sang. I started to get up when he pinned me again.

"Get a room!" Gale called from the entrance of the den.

"Night laughed!" Falcon called as he licked my head. I just smiled as Gale stopped and looked at us.

Gale replied with, "Just become mates already!" Falcon stopped with wide eyes. I just tilted my head. Why weren't we mates? But judging by Falcon's reaction he was nowhere near ready enough for that.

I sighed before calling back to her, "We're getting there!"  My eye ridges raised, waiting for Falcon's reaction. I could see a faint smile on his face. Relief flooded through me.

Falcon let me get up. I gestured for him to follow me into the den.

"Hey, Verr," I said as I walked in. She didn't look up at me, just continued licking her egg, tears rolling down her face. "Verr?" I asked. I looked at Gale who was shaking her head. She was drawing a line across her throat with a claw.

My eyes widened in understanding.

I shook my head slowly in disbelief. Falcon was watching me, perplexed at my actions. "Th-the egg... N-no..." I murmured. Vera continued to lick the egg. Every swipe became more and more frantic.

"Pl-please..." she whined. "Sh-shadow... D-darling... P-please..." her whines were becoming desperate. "L-little o-one..." Her licking stopped before she collapsed into sobs. Her wing hiding the egg from view as she curled up tightly.

"Oh... Verr..." I started.

"I should give you guys some space," Falcon muttered. I nodded numbly. He left Gale and I just standing there. Vera was sobbing uncontrollably. And the egg... The egg was dead.

"Shadow!" she sobbed. "Wh-why!" 

I walked forward and nudged her wing so I could see the egg. I frowned. 

I gently picked it up in my jaws while fending off Vera's feeble attempts to keep the egg beside her.

I placed it in my forepaws and swatted Vera away again. I glanced at the shell in my paws and tipped my head. Where do I begin? I thought as I stared down at the egg. I listened for a heartbeat but came up empty.