Chapter 2

"Wake up, furball. You need your herbs," A voice yowled in her head. Eve twitched. The voice shouted again, now clearer and loud. Her eyes flew open and she blinked, glancing around wildly. Before she could say anything, someone shoved a flower into her mouth. She swallowed the bitter herb reluctantly, scrunching up her nose. Looking up, she saw Apollo glowering at her.

"What is this?" She spat, still drowsy from before.

"Moonblooms. Now eat some more," He growled.

"I'm fine," Eve moaned sleepily. "I need to sleep."

"Just so you feel so proud of yourself, you lost a life," The black tom growled. "And broken a rib."

"I still have eight lives left. I'm not in danger," She winced as she sat up. "The only problem is the pain. And don't look at me as if I did something unthinkable. You lost, like, three lives since you joined the hunters."

"Come on. Vanessa is holding a graduation ceremony for the novices," He grunted, picking up his weapon.

Eve limped outside, one hand clutching the side of her body with Apollo strutting ahead of her down the path, whistling a tune. It was already dusk, the sky transcending from bright orange of the sun to a deep violet as the moon started to take its place. Clouds, wispy white strokes, slowly blending into the colorful sky. Eve opened her jaw, taking in a whiff of the woody fresh smell of the forest. Looking down at her legs, she saw tiny little saplings of the forest, surrounded by the gorgeous colors of nature. Flowers of all kinds, during this time of year, blossomed beautifully like sweets for the eye. Her eyes glittered with joy. She loved flowers.

"This is Flora Alley. How unlikely of you..." Eve giggled happily, her white fur ruffling in the wind. "Why is it?"

"Don't mess this with that. This is the fastest way," Apollo replied, his amber eyes gazing at the grassy grounds dotted with color. His tail stood high, the end curling in slightly.

"You're... never mind," She mumbled, snapping back to reality. "Are we there yet?"

There was no answer as they continued down the alley. The sky slowly turned dark, the stars clearer every second. Dropping down on his fours, Apollo raced forward. Eve trudged heavily, struggling to keep up with the sprinting tom. Eventually they halted to a stop. The sight of the flickering flames warmed her body. Pushing through the crowd to get to her log, she met Freya. The brown tabby's eyes bored onto the stars in the evening sky.

"I see... wolves..." The she-cat murmured, her eyes never leaving the bright orbs in the sky. "This is weird... the clan had never had anything to do with wolves."

"Maybe it's just your imagination. We can tell Vanessa after the ceremony, okay?"

Her friend nodded, her eyes still blank and fixated on the stars. Eve shook her shoulders violently, making the tabby snap wide awake, her eyes glancing around wildly. Eve searched around in the crowded part near the Tree, trying to find the tortoise-shell harvester when suddenly a yowl echoed through the forest, silencing the noisy crowd. Everybody ran back to their logs, awaiting the leader's command as the old she-cat stepped out with her deputy, Brenna, on her right side.

"Cats of all age, please gather here by the Tree," Vanessa announced, sitting down. "As you might have heard, we are going to have a graduation ceremony."

A wave of murmurs and whispered washed over the cats. Vanessa spoke, her voice calm and serious. "Of all the warrior novices, we have seen their training, skills and most importantly, determination. I have selected two of the group. I congratulate you both, Bree and Sky. Welcome to the advancers."

A series of loud cheers and meows filled the forest. Eve sat there quietly, her sight fixated on the new advancer, his fur was almost black, with splotches of white painted onto his coat. His eyes were special, his left eye was a dazzling gold, hazy and blurred while his other eye was sky-blue, vibrant and cheerful with a glint of determination. She also noticed that one of his paws were entirely white. The other, Bree, was a beauty no cat could do. Her bright, orange pelt was fiery and charming. Her emerald green eyes were smiling with pleasure as she walked down to her log with her tail hung high. Even though she might appear friendly and calm, she can be lethal if mad.

"And out of all the hunter novices, I've picked out the best. I congratulate you, Estelle," The old leader yowled. "Welcome to the advancers."

The small advancer gradually made her way down the hill, her sleek tail tucking into her underbelly. Her petite and nimble body would make her an excellent huntress, a great edition to the clan. She made her way to her log effortlessly, gliding down to her log, leaving behind a faint impression. Her pelt was cream colored and smooth, groomed nicely. Her eyes darted around cautiously, as if someone out of the shadows might attack her anytime. Eve watched her as she slipped past the cats, sitting down her own log quietly, her sharp claws ready to attack, or even kill.

"I... guess that's all. Let's go, Freya," Eve whispered to her friend. They both swiftly made their way to the tree. Just when they were almost in touch with the leader, Eve pulled the tabby away to the shadows.

"Vanessa's that way," Freya reminded.

"I know, but I need to tell Mom first," Eve said, making gestures to call the smoky she-cat in the distance. Awhile later, Brenna arrived, her eyes narrowed.

"What is it?" She asked sternly. "I hope it's somethin' important."

Pushing Freya forward, Eve murmured into her friend's ear.

"I saw wolves. Someone is trying to send us a message, Brenna!" Freya exclaimed.

"Where, how and when?" Brenna asked, her brows furrowing at Freya's worried words.

"Just now. In the stars. Wolves, I tell you."

"I'll talk with Vanessa. Now, you girls go and join the camp. Eat somethin'."

***

Brenna thought about Freya's word for a moment. Wolves? No, it can't be.

We never had anythin' to do with them, she wondered. Unless... she's talkin' about that time.

Since the clan emerged, there had been no sign of their old enemies. The Pantheras chased them out of the forest, forcing them to flee. Back then, those wolves were the threat. They starved the felines, killed them even. Maybe... The thought of the continuous slaughtering sent chills down her spine, making her shiver. Running back to the Tree, she tapped Vanessa's shoulder.

"Ay!" She shouted into the she-cat's ears, just like when they were little. "I have somethin' to tell ya."

Vanessa flinched, whirling around to meet her sister's face.

"Oh, how many times do I have to tell you, Brenna? I'm the leader!"

"Sorry, great o leader. Now, about the news... we need more patrols. Right this moment," Brenna told her.

"Why?" Vanessa asked, raising a brow at the sudden demand.

"You know the seer's daughter, right? Freya," Brenna meowed. "Well, she just told me see saw wolves."

"Is this a joke?" The silver she-cat laughed, but stopped when she saw the frown on her sister's face. "Where?"

"Stars. Like many of our past seers," replied Brenna, shifting her paws uneasily. "Do you think...?"

"Not possible. Our ancestors drove them out. And we still have this power against them now, nonetheless."

"But..."

"No buts. I'll send an extra patrol out, but no more than that." Vanessa said harshly, cutting off the gray she-cats words, then turning to curse herself for her tone of voice.

Walking back to her den, she felt a strange wave of doubt wash over her.

Maybe this is a warning from the stars, she thought, shaking her head. Or maybe I'm just listening to the wrong cat.

Sitting in the soft moss, she sighed in relief.

There's no way they dare to come here for even a second, she reminded herself. She cannot walk astray from the path that her, no, that their ancestors built for them. She breathed out slowly, her tense muscles relaxing as she laid down. Her heavy eyelids fluttered shut, falling asleep.

In the distance, a silvery gray she-cat sat regally. Her pelt was striped with whitish streaks, getting close, her beauty was impeccable. Symmetrical features, always smiling, no wonder she won over the leader of the clan. Vanessa stood there, dazed.

"Mother..." She gasped, her heart drumming loud enough for the nearby creatures to hear. The queen turned around, her light blue eyes shining brightly. "Mother!" Vanessa yowled, her voice full of happiness. Oh, how long has it been?

Waiting for her mother's call, her lips curled into a grin full of joy as her mother trotted closer and closer to her. But she was so... far away. Vanessa glanced around. A pair of eyes, ice cold stared at her mother in the shades, glowing. Eyes of a wolf. For a split second, she didn't know what was happening. Blood sprayed violently onto her as her eyes widened in horror. Her breathes were heavy, every puff of air felt like a challenge she has to face. Staring at her mother's dead body was horrible. The wolf's face looked up, its icy sky blue eyes gleaming, a large grin ear to ear, with an evil so terrible she wanted to scream. Not even their ancestors could stop this monster. It lunged, then everything was dark and silent. Tears streamed down her face. Her mother's body was still there. Her surrounding cleared, revealing a cracked, barren land around her. She was still and cold, but she was as beautiful as ever. Then, the background morphed slowly into a lush forest full of trees. The air was fresh to the smell. She was in front of a large tree, overhanging branches were low, almost touching the ground. She felt taller, older than before. All the cats were sitting on their logs, cheering for the new advancers next to her. In the crowd, she saw it. Those exact eyes, blue as the sky, staring at the two cats. She let out a sigh, just now realizing that she has been holding her breath. It was just Eve, her light blue eyes glittering with delight. But then the forest disappeared. In a dark place, the shrieks and screams blasted into her ears. Her eyes darted around wildly, but no one was there except the overwhelming darkness around her. She was... alone. Or so she thought. White fur, stained red with blood. Eve kneeled there, her eyes no longer had that lively sparkle. In her paws, laid a blood red dagger, gleaming. Laying in front of her was a motionless body, torn to pieces until she was no longer recognizable. But Vanessa knew who that was. Brenna. Bloody and red, she recognized her sister's hazel eyes. Brenna was no longer breathing but she still searched for that mischievous glint in her sister's eyes. It was... gone. The hatred, the fury clawed at her mercilessly. But she kept still, turning away as tears streamed down her face. Closing her eyes, she tried to breath but something was choking her throat. She stood there, unable to do anything as the darkness swallowed her.

Her eyes flew open. She was breathing heavily, her head pounding. It was all just a dream, she reminded herself. All just a dream...

But before she could steady her heart, a flash of bright light hit her face, temporary blinding her. With a screech, she backed away, burrowing herself into her den. Trembling, she peered outside as the blinding light subdued, leaving behind the seering heat. Vanessa blinked. Flames flickering savagely, queens running for their lives... She didn't know what to do anymore.

Try your best, V... Try your best...