"Still no news of Ivoryflame?"
Ebonywave shook her head.
"She left with Striker. That's all I know. But... I don't think she's going to come back."
Finnick sighed and whispered.
"We could leave too..."
Ebonywave took a step back.
"I couldn't! It would kill Wandernight. And Fellstar... I don't know how he would be if he lost all of his kits, and Wandernight. It's just... no. I can't."
Finnick nodded.
"I know. I understand."
His ears pricked forward and he hissed slightly.
"Someone's coming. I better go. I'll see you tonight!"
He pressed his muzzle against her cheek and Ebonywave licked him quickly before he ran away. Ebonywave turned around and Shrewfang's scent washed over her. The tom padded out of the bushes and stood in front of her. She nodded slightly.
"Greetings Shrewfang. What brings you out here?"
She started to pad in the direction of the camp, not trusting the bristly tom who was the kit of Lightenedcall. He padded up beside her, and quickly stopped Ebonywave.
"I came to find you."
Ebonywave tried not to act scared, and she lifted her head.
"Well I was going back to camp, so maybe we can talk there."
She wanted to be around the safety of the clan, and Shrewfang stopped her again, a light growl rising in his voice.
"No. Here's good. And if you don't stay, I'll make you."
Ebonywave crouched on the ground, fear scent quickly rising from her fur.
"What do you want Shrewfang?"
The sandy tom brought his face close to Ebonywave's.
"No need to be afraid. I only want you. You as my mate."
This made Ebonywave break out shaking. She shook her head.
"I-i don't even know you. Let alone like you."
She tried to get up, but Shrewfang placed his paw in her shoulder. Ebonywave cringed away as she felt the tips of his claws."
"I'm not asking you permission. I'm demanding it. I know about that tom. Lightenedcall told me."
He slowly circled Ebonywave.
"You will be my mate. If not, I'll kill you both. I promise you that. Now, we better tell the clan the great news about us."
He pushed Ebonywave up roughly, and she looked even smaller than usual.Shrewfang wrapped his tail around Ebonywave's and she shook violently.
::---::
When they padded into the camp Shrewfang padded over to Fellstar with Ebonywave. The leader was sharing tongues with Wandernight, and they looked up. Shrewfang dipped his head.
"I'd like you to announce to the clan that Ebonywave and I are mates."
Fellstar's eyes narrowed, and Wandernight looked to Ebonywave, then back to Shrewfang.
"When did this happen? I've never noticed you two together."
Wandernight stood up but stayed where she was.
"We wanted to keep it a secret. We knew you two wold disapprove. Isn't that right Ebonywave?"
She nodded stiffly, her face blank of any emotion. Wandernight took a step forward and whispered in her daughters ear.
"Are you sure Ebonywave? You know you can tell me anything."
The young she-cat felt the piercing stare of Shrewfang burning into her pelt. She nodded again.
"I'm sure. I.... I love him."
She tried to not gag as she spoke the words only meant for Finnick to hear. Shrewfang purred and licked her cheek, a smirk playing on his face.
"If you would please announce it, thank-you."
Shrewfang guided Ebonywave away and looked back as Fellstar addressed the clan.
"Shrewfang and Ebonywave are now... mates. We hope to see more kits soon."
His blind gaze sought out Ebonywave, and he felt something wrong about Ebonywave. The clan came up to the two cats and congratulated them.
Night soon fell and Ebonywave followed Shrewfang into the warriors den, limping behind him. She lay down, her pelt prickling with fear. Ebonywave stiffened as Shrewfang, who was much larger than she was, curled around her small body. She tried to move her head away but again she felt the pricks of his claws in her side and he licked her cheek roughly. As the rest of the camp fell asleep, Ebonywave couldn't. All she could think about is Finnick waiting for her, and being disappointed when she didn't come.
In the morning Shrewfang stood up and yawned. Ebonywave spoke slightly.
"I-i'm going hunting."
The tom narrowed his eyes.
"No. I don't want you going anywhere without me. We can't risk it, can we?"
She lowered her head, not knowing what to do as she limped out after Shrewfang as what she would one day come to know as some of the worst days of her life.
In the morning Shrewfang stood up and yawned. Ebonywave spoke slightly.
"I-i'm going hunting."
The tom narrowed his eyes.
"No. I don't want you going anywhere without me. We can't risk it, can we?"
She lowered her head, not knowing what to do as she limped out after Shrewfang as what she would one day come to know as some of the worst days of her life.
::---::
It was two and a half moons later, and Ebonywave hadn't seen Finnick since Shrewfang had forced her to become his mate. She felt stiff and sore, and every night she cried silently. Shrewfang attacked her viciously almost everyday. She had so many bruises and scars, though they were all hidden under her fur, and she was too afraid to speak out. She had felt more tired than usual, and slept a lot more.
She padded out of the warriors den close to sun-high one day. She limped slowly to the medicine's cat den, and Shrewfang leaped up to meet her.
"Where are you going?"
His voice disguised a low growl and she flinched.
"I want some herbs. I don't feel okay."
Shrewfang stopped then padded after Ebonywave again, accompanying her to the medicine cat den. She padded into the den and Leafdew looked up from sorting herbs.
"Do you need something Ebonywave?"
She sighed and sat down stiffly.
"I haven't been feeling good."
Leafdew nodded.
"Shrewfang please wait outside the den while I check her over."
He narrowed his eyes but didn't protest and sat close enough outside to hear everything that was said. Leafdew ran her paws over Ebonywave's body and stomach.
"Have you been eating enough? I can feel your bones."
Ebonywave shrugged, and Leafdew looked on in worry. Leafdew stood up.
"Ebonywave."
Leafdew's eyes were bright and she brushed her muzzle again Ebonywave's.
"Congratulations. You're expecting kits. I'll get you some herbs. You're already quite far along. You didn't show that much. That's why no one ever knew. You should move to the nursery soon. I'd say another half moon and they'll be born. You need to eat more too if you want you and your kits to stay healthy. You're naturally small so it may cause problems when the kits come. I want to keep an eye on you from now on."
Leafdew continued to talk, and Ebonywave sat as still as stone. Leafdew's voice was filled with joy at the prospect of more kits.
"Shrewfang will be so happy to find out he's going to be a father!"
This threw Ebonywave out of her shock. In her head she heard the truth flowing through her. She remembered back a while before Shrewfang had taken hold of her. Only a few days before that. She had forgotten the time and fell asleep beside Finnick behind their secret waterfall. These are Finnick's kits. I'm having his kits! Her heart seemed to come alive for the first time in moons. She ate the herbs Leafdew pushed towards her silently.
"I better tell Shrewfang."
Leafdew nodded.
"I know it's a lot to take in, but you'll do fine."
Ebonywave nodded and limped out of the den. She almost ran into Shrewfang who was bristling slightly at the entrance to the den.
"I think we should go into the forest."
She padded after the tom who had abused her, and she shook slightly, scared for the unborn kits in her. She wrapped her tail around herself, silently promising to protect them. Shrewfang stopped, and so did Ebonywave. He stood there for a few silent moments.
"Are they mine?"
She knew he already knew the answer, so she stayed silent. A snarl ripped from his mouth and he spun around, his claws raking across her face. She gasped as warm blood welled along the deep cut. She backed up as Shrewfang advanced on her.
"I should kill you!"
She wailed but it was cut off as he bowled her over, raking his back legs across her stomach, trying to kill her kits. She yowled again and spun around so his claws raked across her spine. He released her and she kept low to the ground, covering her belly in the snow that still carpeted the ground. She flicked her ears back and forth, but Shrewfang seemed to have disappeared. Then, she gasped as the air was knocked out of her as Shrewfang thrust his muscled build into her side. Ebonywave struggled to get her paws under her, and lashed out blindly. Shrewfang leaped back and shook his head to clear the blood that dripped over his eyes. While he was distracted she got up and tried to run. She heard the rushing of the river and ran to the swift sound. Shrewfang was too fast though, he leaped at her and gripped her hind legs with his claws. She yowled and kicked out. Her paw impacted with his face, and she thrust herself towards the river that was so close. Then, before she knew it, the river water swallowed her whole, and she struggled towards the surface, but only saw black...
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