Gray Wing blinked at her gratefully. “It’ll be fine, you’ll see,” he promised.
Thunder was fidgeting at the edge of the clearing, his gaze uneasy.
“Is there something else?” Gray Wing looked at him.
Thunder’s tail quivered. “I met a cat on the way back to the camp.” He glanced at Turtle Tail. “He’s called Tom. He came looking for Bumble. I told him she was dead and showed her his grave but he wants to meet with Turtle Tail.”
“No!” Gray Wing stepped in front of his mate. He’d heard plenty about Tom, the kittypet who’d made Turtle Tail’s life miserable when she’d lived with the Twolegs. And the first time he’d met Bumble, the poor cat had been covered in scratches and bruises. Tom was a bully. He glanced at the long grass where Sparrow Fur and Owl Eyes were trying to out-pounce each other. He could hear Pebble Heart beneath the gorse, asking Cloud Spots endless questions. He didn’t care that they were Tom’s kits. They must never meet him. Nor should Turtle Tail. His fur lifted along his spine. How had she ever loved such a cruel cat?
Thunder glanced at him nervously. “He said he’d wait at Bumble’s grave until she came.”
“He said what?” Rage surged through Gray Wing. How dare he make such demands?
Thunder backed away. “He said he’d wait for as long as it took.”
“Gray Wing.” Turtle Tail slid in front of him, her green eyes soft. “It’s not Thunder’s fault.”
“I know.” Gray Wing let his hackles fall. “But we don’t want that kittypet on our moor. I’m going to chase him back to Twolegplace.” He began to head for the gap in the heather but Turtle Tail blocked his way.
“No.” Her mew was firm.
He blinked. “Why?”
“I must meet him.” She was trembling.
Gray Wing could hardly believe his ears. “You can’t!”
Turtle Tail lifted her head. “I know him, Gray Wing. If I don’t meet with him, he’ll find me. He’ll come to the hollow.” She glanced over her shoulder toward Owl Eyes and Sparrow Fur. “And then he’ll know where his kits are.” Fear edged her mew.
Gray Wing understood. She must face him or live in fear. “I’m coming with you.”
“So am I.” Tall Shadow’s mew took him by surprise. The black she-cat was gazing at him, eyes round. “If this Tom can frighten Turtle Tail, you may need an extra set of claws.” She nodded to Thunder. “Show us where he is.”
Gray Wing let Thunder lead the way through the heather. Bumble’s grave was no secret, but he thought Thunder deserved to head the party. He felt guilty that he’d reacted so angrily to news of Tom’s arrival. Thunder had shown true courage today, traveling to Clear Sky’s camp, returning with news that he’d left Jackdaw’s Cry there. Did Clear Sky realize what a fine son he’d given up?
It’s his loss.
Gray Wing ducked as heather branches arched over their heads. He could feel Turtle Tail’s quick breath on his tail-tip. She was scared, though she was doing her best to hide it. Tall Shadow brought up the rear. Hopefully, her calm clear-sightedness would ease any tensions in the meeting.
Gray Wing’s pelt itched with sudden curiosity. He’d often wondered what the father of Turtle Tail’s kits was like. Guilt gnawed at the edge of his thoughts. She’d never have turned to such a cruel cat if he’d realized earlier that he loved her. She’d loved him since they were kits, but he’d been blinded by his own love for others, first for Bright Stream and then for Storm. Turtle Tail had always come last, but with quiet perseverance she’d won his heart and now he couldn’t think of life with any other mate.
As he pictured Tom waiting for her, a growl rumbled in his throat. He’d make sure the kittypet left the moor and didn’t come back.
“He’s still waiting,” Thunder called over his shoulder. “I can smell him.”
Gray Wing tasted the air, his nose wrinkling as sweet, sour, sickly smells filled it. They’d clung to Bumble’s pelt too, and Turtle Tail’s when she’d first returned from Twolegplace. It must be the scent of Twoleg nests.
Bright light showed ahead and Gray Wing blinked. He slid out of the tunnel into sunshine. Thunder already waited on the grass. Turtle Tail and Tall Shadow padded out behind him.
Screwing up his eyes, he looked down the slope. Lying at one end of Bumble’s grave was a glossy tom, his thick pelt colored like autumn leaves. He stretched in the sun, rolling over as Thunder padded toward him.
Gray Wing glanced at Turtle Tail. “Ready?”
She squared her shoulders. “Yes.” Striding forward, she followed Thunder.
“Don’t worry.” Tall Shadow stopped beside Gray Wing. “We’ll make sure that he knows he’s not welcome here.”
Gray Wing lashed his tail. “I’d like to send him home with a nick in his ear.”
“Let’s not antagonize him unnecessarily.” Tall Shadow padded down the slope and Gray Wing followed.
Tom was climbing to his paws. His wide flanks rippled. Gray Wing curled his lip. Soft fur coated soft flesh. Wasn’t he ashamed to be so fat?
Tom’s gaze fixed on Turtle Tail. “You kept me waiting.” He yawned, showing yellow teeth.
Turtle Tail shrugged. “It looks like you didn’t have anything better to do.” She padded to the edge of Bumble’s grave and began smoothing the earth he’d disturbed with her paw.
Tom narrowed his eyes. “Why did you bring them?” He flicked his tail toward Tall Shadow and Gray Wing.
Thunder padded forward. “She travels with who she likes.”
Tom padded around Turtle Tail, letting his thick tail run along her spine.
She shuddered. Gray Wing growled and glared threateningly at Tom.
Tom ignored him. He was staring at Tall Shadow, his silky muzzle wrinkling in disgust. “Are all you rogues fleabags?” He nudged Turtle Tail roughly with his shoulder. “How many times did the housefolk have to comb you to clean your pelt?” His gaze flicked over Tall Shadow’s. “I don’t think there’d be enough combs in the world to scrape the fleas from her.”
Tall Shadow held his gaze.
Gray Wing flexed his claws. Did this cat want to fight?
“Thunder told us that you’ve come to pay your respects to Bumble,” Tall Shadow meowed diplomatically.
Tom sniffed. “Something like that.” He turned, his feathery tail swishing past Turtle Tail’s muzzle. “I really wanted to see my old mate.” His eyes lingered on her pelt. “The nest is too quiet without you now that Bumble’s gone.” He stopped, his muzzle a whisker from hers. “Won’t you come back? I miss our play fights.”
“Play fights?” Turtle Tail hissed. “You were the only one who was ever playing!” She reared, spitting with fury.
Gray Wing darted forward.
Tall Shadow leaped in front of him. “Let her stand up for herself.”
He scrambled to a halt, staring past Tall Shadow as Turtle Tail lunged for Tom. Her claws raked his snout. Snarling, she battered his muzzle with a flurry of claws.
Tom backed away, his broad, sleek face twisting into a snarl. “Rogue!” he roared and flung himself at her.
His weight knocked her backward. Paws crumpling, she collapsed onto Bumble’s grave. Tom slashed her flank, sinking his claws deep and pressing her shoulders into the earth. She writhed, hind legs scattering the loose soil as she struggled to reach his belly. He let his fat body drop, smothering her.
Tall Shadow stepped aside. “Stop him,” she growled to Gray Wing.
But Gray Wing had already leaped past her.
Thunder dived from the other side. He hooked his claws into Tom’s flanks while Gray Wing sunk his teeth into the kittypet’s scruff. Heaving, they dragged Tom off Turtle Tail.