Hawkstar’s legs shook as he and Peachblossom made the final leg of their journey back home. He was hungrier than he’d been since his earliest childhood memories of struggling city life. Cats making their trek were normally given traveling herbs to dull their appetite, but he supposed that might’ve been a dead giveaway so Peachblossom had gone without. For his part, Hawkstar looked forward to devouring the first edible thing he laid eyes on.
The full brunt of his decision was starting to sink in. He was Clan Leader now. It wasn’t some crazy dream– when he closed his eyes and focused he could feel a new energy coursing through his veins. Was it his new lives? He wished desperately that he could ask another Leader, or a predecessor. Well, I’ll see Juncostar at the next gathering, he thought with relief. Oh gods, and Firestar too.
He’d try to grab a seat as far away from the fire-pelted tom as possible.
They’d hardly entered camp before his face was buried in sweet-smelling cherrywood fur.
Hawkstar relaxed into the body of his mate, unsure who’d tackled who first but hardly caring. He’d never wanted to curl up in a nest with her more than tonight. So lost was he that he almost missed it when she asked how the mooncave had been.
He pulled back, his face still numb with shock.
“I’m Clan Leader now.” Was all he could think so say.