From the very start, their autonomy was violently stripped bare. They were taken and held down and beaten to submission-enslaved and collared and owned. Years upon years drag, time wasted in the confinement of normalized abuse. They solemnly accepted that they'd rot away; their leg broken and long since stopped hurting, the infection slowly eating away their very own bones. It was too late for hope. It was too late for a miracle. Until it really isn't. (In which you get hit by a car, punch someone in the face, and self-sign yourself as a caretaker to two aliens.)

In an opulent mansion, Isabella and Alexander, forced into a loveless marriage, exchanged vows. Their eyes held immense hatred, a shared secret behind practiced smiles. Weeks passed, their interactions remained cold and formal. Then, Isabella uncovered Alexander's dark deeds, thrusting them into a treacherous world of deceit. "Promise me you'll never speak of this," Alexander whispered urgently. "I can't ignore it," Isabella said. Their lives unraveled, and they became unwilling partners in a dangerous game. Betrayal loomed, and Isabella finally admitted, "I hate you more than anyone." "The feeling is mutual," Alexander retorted. Their marriage, born of obligation, had become a crucible of secrets and lies. They faced dark forces, and just as they stood on the precipice of their perilous journey, Alexander's voice dripped with menace. "I promise you, Isabella," he hissed, "before this is over, you'll wish you'd never been born."

(BOOK 1) Centuries after the events of the original Warriors series and the downfall of the four clans, Warriors: Black Rain takes place in a forest once again divided; RainClan, MistClan, ThornClan, and MapleClan now rule, with mystery and majesty hiding in every shadow. Every day is filled with adventure and discovery, but the shadows of the past hold many secrets. One cat, torn from blood to clan, must choose her path, and choose it wisely. If she chooses wrong, the balance of the entire forest could be at stake. A fan-made Warriors book series. Book One of the Warriors: Shadows of the Past series. *Original Warriors books by Erin Hunter* *ALL ART BY ME: NOT FOR PUBLIC USE*