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Nightcloud was curled up in her nest in the queen’s den, the small bundle that was her only child. Her supposed mate hadn’t bothered to show up in awhile.
There had been a time when she didn’t resent Crowfeather. They had gotten along fine as apprentices, though there had been a pawful of petty spats, both too passionate to interact peacefully.
He was a respected deputy’s son and she was the abandoned daughter of a loner. What a pair they’d made. It wasn’t as if she had any other apprentices to spend time with.
Then he’d journeyed to save the clans and fallen in love with a Riverclan warrior. Still she’d had hope. After Mudclaw’s rebellion, they had spoken at the edge of the lake. She wanted kits and he wanted to help his clan; love was something they could figure out along the way.
She hadn’t known about Leafpool or that Crowfeather would betray his clan. That he would use Nightcloud to prove his loyalty. She didn't ask to be his third choice.
Still she had tried. She had hoped that she could earn his love or at least be friends. She had thought they could put the past mistakes behind them.
In her worst moments, she hated him. Hated his many lies, hated his distance when two of their kits died. Hated his disregard for their living son.
She stroked her tail along Breezekit’s back and he curled closer. She would love him enough for both of them.