Tall Shadow looked unconvinced.
“We should leave,” Wind Runner growled.
“No!” Gray Wing stepped forward. Memory swept him back to Storm’s den. He’d fought through dust and rubble to try to save her and her kits. She’d tried to raise them alone and it had killed her and two of her kits. Only Thunder had survived. “It’s our duty to help Wind Runner and Gorse Fur raise their litter,” he told Tall Shadow firmly.
The black she-cat dipped her head. “I guess they have earned their place with us,” she conceded.
“Many times.” Gray Wing nodded to Wind Runner. “Your kits will be raised as though they are our own.” A purr escaped him. Suddenly he could picture tiny kits hurtling across the clearing after Pebble Heart, Sparrow Fur, and Owl Eyes. For a moment, all his fears of battle disappeared. These kits would grow up safe in their moorland home.
He strode across the clearing, pushing between Jackdaw’s Cry and Rainswept Flower, and leaped onto the flat rock. Tall Shadow jumped up beside him. He beckoned Wind Runner and Gorse Fur forward with a flick of his tail.
Hawk Swoop and Shattered Ice moved to let them pass. Jackdaw’s Cry and Rainswept Flower backed away to open a circle for the two rogues to stand in. Cloud Spots slid out from the gorse where Frost peeked out, his white face half-hidden in shadow. Dappled Pelt stepped aside to let the black-and-white tom in next to her. Pebble Heart, Sparrow Fur, and Owl Eyes lined up beside Turtle Tail, as neat as owlets on a branch. Jagged Peak stood beside them, eyes shining.
Where’s Thunder? Gray Wing’s heart lurched as he scanned the cats for the young tom. He must show support for Wind Runner and Gorse Fur if he was to be accepted fully back into the camp. Didn’t he realize how much they’d grown to be part of the group while he’d been in the forest with Clear Sky? This was an important moment; it was the first time the mountain cats had formally accepted new cats into their ranks. Every cat had to approve if they were to stay united. Relief flooded him as he spotted Thunder’s orange-and-white pelt, half hidden between Acorn Fur and Lightning Tail. He caught the young tom’s eyes. Thunder stared back, his gaze unreadable.
Tall Shadow began. “Wind and Gorse welcomed us to the moor when we first arrived.”
Purrs rumbled around the circle.
“They have been loyal allies as we’ve adjusted from mountain life to moor life,” she went on. “It is an honor to invite them to make their home with us permanently.”
Wind Runner looked up at the black she-cat, her eyes questioning. Gray Wing guessed what the expectant queen was thinking. Is Tall Shadow going to mention the kits?
He stepped forward. This needed to be spoken now. If there were objections, they must be heard. “Wind Runner is expecting kits.” He gazed around the moor cats. Warmth glowed in Hawk Swoop’s eyes. Jagged Peak purred loudly.
“Congratulations!” Rainswept Flower darted forward and touched noses with Wind Runner.
Jackdaw’s Cry’s tail twitched uneasily. “Can we feed extra mouths?”
Acorn Fur stared at him. “Of course we can!”
Lightning Tail pricked his ears. “Our hunting skills get better every season.”
Murmurs of agreement rippled around him.
“What about when the cold season comes?” Cloud Spots reasoned. “Prey will go to ground.”
Shattered Ice raised his voice. “Then we’ll hunt in the tunnels that Wind Runner and Gorse Fur showed us when we arrived.”
Tall Shadow stepped to the edge of the rock. Gray Wing saw with relief that her eyes were shining, all doubt gone.
“Wind Runner and Gorse Fur have done so much for us,” she called. “They have earned prey for their kits, and their kits’ kits!”
Jagged Peak nodded enthusiastically. “They rescued me from a collapsed tunnel,” he reminded them. “When every other cat thought I was dead, Wind Runner cleared my nose and throat so I could breathe.”
“When we were kits, Gorse Fur taught me and Acorn Fur how to stalk rabbits,” Lightning Tail chimed in. “He spent a whole afternoon showing us how to lie flat and still and let the rabbit come to us.”
Acorn Fur purred loudly. “He was so patient, even when we got bored and started stalking his tail instead!”
Turtle Tail stepped forward. “Wind Runner showed me the best places to hunt after I returned from Twolegplace.”
Gray Wing swallowed back a purr. Turtle Tail had often complained that Wind Runner was too bossy, holding her responsible for turning Bumble away from the camp. He was relieved to see that she had accepted the rogue at last.
He stiffened as Jackdaw’s Cry flicked his tail. Was he still worried there wasn’t enough prey to share?
“We would never have dared explore the tunnels if Wind Runner and Gorse Fur hadn’t showed us how.” The black tom glanced at them approvingly. “Now we have shelter in the worst of the cold season.”
“And escape routes from dogs!” Dappled Pelt added.
Happily, Gray Wing kneaded the rock. “We are lucky to have such strong, loyal cats join us.” He gazed at Wind Runner. She stared back unblinking. How long before she was the one up here, leading the moor cats while he and Tall Shadow watched from below? He welcomed the thought. It was tough having to know all the answers. Wind Runner seemed to relish the challenge of decision making far more than he ever would.
Tall Shadow’s mew jerked his thoughts back to the moment. “Wind and Gorse took new names to be like us and it is with these new names that we shall welcome them.” She jumped from the rock and touched noses with Wind Runner. “Welcome, Wind Runner.”
Gray Wing felt the expectant gaze of the moor cats and jumped down beside her. “Welcome, Gorse Fur.” He touched noses with the gray tabby tom.
“Gorse Fur!”
“Wind Runner!”
The moor cats lifted their voices to the sky as, chanting the names of their new denmates, they welcomed them warmly.
Jagged Peak broke from the circle and hopped around Wind Runner, his eyes bright with excitement. Gray Wing lifted his tail happily. The young cat had always admired the rogue. He must be delighted she’d been made part of the group.
Tall Shadow padded to the prey heap. “Let’s celebrate with a feast.” She tossed a mouse toward Gorse Fur. “We will eat this meal like mountain cats.” She carried a thrush to Wind Runner and dropped it. Then she bent and took a bite and pushed it toward the brown she-cat. Wind Runner dipped her head in thanks and took a bite, then nudged it toward Gorse Fur. Purring, he tore off a mouthful and passed it to Jagged Peak.
Gray Wing padded to the prey heap, waiting for Shattered Ice to take a mouse before grabbing a small rabbit. Joy flooded beneath his pelt. The moor cats settled and shared prey, mewing contentedly. We are one. The thought sent hope surging through him. Whatever happened when he visited Clear Sky’s camp, the moor cats would survive. They were united, and together they could weather any storm. He glanced at Wind Runner, chewing contentedly as she lay between Tall Shadow and Gorse Fur. With her on our side, we’ll be strong for a long time.
A soft murmuring woke Gray Wing out of a light sleep. He blinked open his eyes and peered over the edge of his nest. He could see no one, but soft mews sounded beside the tunnel entrance.
“We can’t talk here.” He recognized Rainswept Flower’s anxious voice. “We’ll wake Gray Wing.”
“Come outside.”
Jagged Peak? What were the two cats up to?
Gray Wing lifted his head, unease moving in his belly, and watched them move like shadows across the camp and slip out through the gap in the heather.
Slowly, he untangled himself from the kits and tipped them toward Turtle Tail.