In the days since Dovewing had left, the rain hadn’t let up. Tigerheart trudged through it now, following Stonewing, Juniperclaw, and Whorlpaw home from a hunt. The swelling behind his ear had eased since Puddleshine had treated it with nettles soaked in rainwater. His headache had lingered for a day but was gone now.
Tigerheart held a soggy sparrow between his jaws. The others carried prey too. Whorlpaw was clearly proud of the young rabbit he’d caught and walked with his tail high, despite the rain dripping from the trees and the earth squelching beneath his paws.
It had been a good hunt. The patrol had worked well together. Tigerheart felt hope flicker in his chest each time Juniperclaw called out to Stonewing to warn him of prey heading his way. And whenever Whorlpaw dipped his head respectfully as Juniperclaw gently adjusted his hunting crouch or showed him which part of a bracken stalk held prey-scent even when it rained, Tigerheart had dared to believe that ShadowClan would grow stronger and more united with time. Perhaps it didn’t matter if Rowanstar wasn’t a strong leader. Perhaps it was enough that Tigerheart was there to support them. Meanwhile, hunting and patrolling would bring the Clan together. Training their young to be great warriors would remind them of what it was to be loyal and brave. In a few seasons, the rogues would be forgotten and ShadowClan would thrive once more.
But where would Dovewing and his kits be by then? The thought pricked Tigerheart’s chest. Would she come back once she felt their kits would be safe with the Clans? If not, perhaps he could find a way to join her as soon as he felt that ShadowClan’s future was secure.
He dared not think about the dangers waiting beyond the Clan borders. She’s a warrior. The thought comforted him. She’d survived the battle with the Dark Forest. And the rogues. But what if she wasn’t all right? He pushed the thought away, fear slicing his belly so sharply he winced. Was his Clan really worth endangering his mate and kits for? Frustration itched beneath his pelt. Why did he have to make such a choice? It wasn’t fair.
Juniperclaw halted as he reached the camp entrance. Stonewing and Whorlpaw stopped beside him. He dropped his prey and sniffed the air suspiciously. “ThunderClan cats have been here.” He looked at Tigerheart. “I wonder what they wanted.”
A fresh chill crept through Tigerheart’s damp pelt. He could guess what they had wanted. Especially when he tasted the air and smelled Ivypool’s scent. They’d be looking for Dovewing. Of course her sister would come here. His fur prickled nervously. Had she said anything to Rowanstar about the secret meetings?
“Tigerheart!” Tawnypelt called through the entrance. “You’re back.” She hurried out of camp and quickly nosed Tigerheart away from the patrol.
Stonewing called to her. “What did ThunderClan want?”
“One of their warriors is missing.” Tawnypelt glanced at the white tom and flicked her tail nonchalantly. “It’s their problem, not ours, but they wondered if we’d seen her.”
Juniperclaw narrowed his eyes. “I hope Rowanstar didn’t let us get drawn into ThunderClan’s problems.”
“Of course he didn’t,” Tawnypelt answered sharply.
“We’ve got enough of our own,” Juniperclaw grouched. “First it’s prophecies about coming storms, then it’s six-toed cats, then missing warriors. ThunderClan is always coming to us with some problem. I hope Rowanstar was firm with them.”
Irritation flared beneath Tigerheart’s pelt. “Of course he was firm,” he mewed curtly. “Why wouldn’t he be?”
Stonewing dropped his thrush. “He’s not exactly decisive these days.”
“How dare you?” Tigerheart glowered at the tom. His gaze flashed to Juniperclaw. “You weren’t here when ThunderClan came. You don’t know what was said. Don’t assume Rowanstar let any cat push him around. You have to trust him!” His hackles lifted. “He’s our leader.” He glared at Juniperclaw and Stonewing until they dropped their gazes.
Whorlpaw shifted his paws uneasily. “Which warrior is missing?”
“Dovewing.” Tawnypelt’s mew was even.
Whorlpaw’s eyes widened. “Perhaps the sick badger got her.”
“Nonsense.” Tawnypelt flicked her tail impatiently. “We sent out a patrol to check that the badger was gone, remember? There’s been no scent of it on our land since the rain started.”
“Perhaps it went onto ThunderClan’s territory,” Whorlpaw persisted.
“If she was attacked by a badger on their territory, they’d know about it,” Juniperclaw pointed out.
Tigerheart shifted his weight self-consciously. He was the only cat who knew the truth. He dropped his gaze. Ivypool must be beside herself with worry. ThunderClan would be grieving.
Tawnypelt nudged Tigerheart to one side, flicking her tail toward the patrol. “Take your catch into camp,” she told them. “The fresh-kill pile needs filling.” As they obeyed and disappeared through the bramble tunnel, Tawnypelt looked into Tigerheart’s eyes. “Do you know anything about Dovewing’s disappearance?”
“No.” Tigerheart’s pelt burned as he struggled to return his mother’s gaze innocently. “Why should I?”
“I saw the way you were with her when we were living with ThunderClan. You ate with her and talked with her like she was the only cat in camp. And it wasn’t just me who noticed. Ivypool asked specifically if you knew anything about Dovewing’s disappearance. She’s clearly suspicious. She’s on her way to SkyClan right now to ask them if they’ve seen Dovewing. But I know she doesn’t believe they’ll have any answers.” Her whiskers twitched. “Was there anything going on between you and Dovewing?”
Tigerheart hesitated, then avoided the question. “I don’t know where Dovewing is.”
Tawnypelt’s eyes narrowed. Tigerheart could sense doubt glittering behind them. But she didn’t ask again. “ShadowClan needs you, Tigerheart. Your father needs you.”
Anger surged beneath Tigerheart’s pelt. “You think I don’t know that?” If I didn’t, I’d be with Dovewing right now! I’d have followed her wherever she went.
Tawnypelt held his gaze for a moment, then turned away. “A warrior is loyal to his Clan above all things.”
As she headed back to camp, Tigerheart called after her. “You don’t need to tell me about the warrior code!” She had no idea what he was giving up to stay loyal to his Clan. Not just Dovewing, but his kits. He might never know them.
As she disappeared through the bramble tunnel, urgency tugged at his paws. He headed for the ThunderClan border, rain splashing his pelt. He had to speak with Ivypool before she sparked suspicion in any other cats. He didn’t want all the Clans silently believing that he was responsible for Dovewing’s disappearance. It had been Dovewing’s decision. Ivypool had to know that. Should I tell her where Dovewing was heading? His belly twisted. I can’t betray her! What if ThunderClan follows her and brings her home? He slowed. Would that be so bad? She’s not safe alone. His thoughts were spinning as he crossed the border. Tawnypelt had said Ivypool had gone to SkyClan. He could intercept her on her way home, before she reached her camp. Climbing a leaf-strewn rise, he ducked through bracken and shadowed a ThunderClan trail. He tasted Ivypool’s scent before he heard her call.
“Tigerheart.” There was anger in her yowl. He stopped as she marched toward him. She was alone, her pelt bristling as she glared at him. “You’re on our land. And I know why. You’ve come to lie to me again. You’re here to persuade me that you have nothing to do with Dovewing’s disappearance. But you know where she is, don’t you?”
“No.”
“You knew she was going to leave!” Ivypool accused.
“I did,” Tigerheart admitted. “I tried to stop her, but she was determined.”
“Where has she gone?”
A huge Twolegplace with nests that reach into the sky . . .
He could still hear Dovewing’s words clearly. He pictured the desperation in her green eyes as she told him. He couldn’t betray her. She was convinced that their kits’ lives depended on finding a gorse-spined den. He looked at Ivypool. “I tracked her as far as the Thunderpath beside the marsh.”
“But no farther?” Ivypool’s eyes flashed with disgust. “Did the monsters scare you away?”
“My Clan needs me,” Tigerheart meowed simply. “I couldn’t abandon them.”
“But you could abandon Dovewing?” Ivypool flexed her claws.
She abandoned me ! Frustration flared in Tigerheart’s belly. “I thought you didn’t want us to be together,” he snapped.
Ivypool spat at him. “Do you think I’d prefer she was out there alone?”
Guilt swamped Tigerheart. Ivypool was right. He had chosen to stay with his Clan. He’d left Dovewing to face the land beyond the forest alone.
Ivypool thrust her face closer. “I always knew you were trouble. You never cared about Dovewing. If you had, you’d never have let her leave.” With a snarl, she lashed her claws across his muzzle.
Tigerheart didn’t flinch. He deserved it. He felt the sting of torn flesh and the wetness of blood welling on his nose. Without moving, he held Ivypool’s gaze. “I love her,” he confessed. “I should have stopped her, but I couldn’t.” He’d let Scorchfur and Juniperclaw keep him from meeting her. If he had let his Clanmates go to SkyClan, he could have met Dovewing before she left. He might even have been able to persuade her to stay. Instead he’d given up everything he loved for his Clan. His eyes grew hot with grief.
Ivypool stared at him with hatred. “You’re a coward. And a fox-heart. Dovewing deserved a better mate than you.” Tail lashing, she turned away and left him alone beneath the dripping pines.
She’s right. His throat thickened with grief, almost choking him. Dovewing, I’m so sorry.