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who deserved to be heard.
    And yet Thunder knew that he must put his campmates first. He met Clear Sky’s gaze. “I can’t promise prey to these rogues. We need it as much as they do.”
    Clear Sky leaned forward, whiskers trembling. “You don’t have to give them prey. Just meet Slash and promise so they return Star Flower.”
    Lightning Tail growled. “Meeting these rogues is hunting for trouble.”
    Leaf lashed his tail. “We should stay out of it.”
    â€œIt’s not our problem,” Cloud Spots agreed.
    Clear Sky kept his gaze on Thunder. “Help me, please!” His mew was hoarse with despair.
    Thunder shook his head, guilt jabbing in his chest. “I can’t,” he murmured. “I must think of my campmates. I can’t sacrifice their well-being for yours.”
    Clear Sky’s tail bristled. “What kind of son are you?”
    Thunder’s heart sank as anger hardened his father’s gaze. He’d seen it countless times before. Wearily, he held his ground as Clear Sky went on.
    â€œHow long are you going to resent me for taking Star Flower as my mate?” Clear Sky snarled. “Must you punish her as well? If my kits die, I’ll never forgive you!”
    Thunder swallowed back fear. “I’m punishing no one,” he meowed steadily. “Star Flower chose you, and I respect her decision. I’m sorry she’s in trouble, and I’d help if I could, but I can’t let my campmates starve to save her. You must solve this problem yourself.”
    Clear Sky stared at him, eyes wide with disbelief.
    Acorn Fur leaned toward her leader. “Come on,” she murmured. “Let’s go.”
    â€œPerhaps Tall Shadow will help,” Alder mewed encouragingly.
    â€œRiver Ripple will know what to do.” Sparrow Fur shot Thunder a sharp look. “The river’s always full of fish. He’ll be happy to share some of his prey.”
    Clear Sky turned away. “You’re right,” he muttered. “The others will help. They have to.” He hurried through the gorse tunnel, his campmates following.
    As Thunder heard them scramble up the ravine, he realized he was trembling. Should he have agreed to help? He wasn’t convinced the other leaders would really support Clear Sky. And if they didn’t, what would happen to Star Flower?
    He shivered as a damp wind spiraled into the hollow. Star Flower had softened his father. He shuddered to think how Clear Sky might react to her death. Would a refusal now lead them into another Great Battle?

C HAPTER 3

    Gray Wing scanned the moorside, a damp wind tugging at his whiskers. His belly growled with hunger as he tasted the air. But there was no scent of prey, only the musty smell of dying heather. Below him, Gorse Fur stalked across the slope, grass streaming around his paws. Where the moor began to dip toward the forest, Wind Runner sniffed at the edge of a swath of heather.
    As she stretched her muzzle forward, Spotted Fur burst through the heather. “The prey-scents are stale even here.” Gray Wing heard the young tom’s mew on the wind.
    Spotted Fur was a new member of the group—a golden brown tom whose mother had hunted with Slate in her rogue days. Spotted Fur had left his mother and littermates when they’d moved on to new territory. He’d watched the moorland cats hunting and racing through the heather and wanted to join them. Wind Runner hadn’t been keen to accept a rogue as a campmate, but Slate had vouched for him, swearing that his mother was a kindhearted cat and a good hunter. And Spotted Fur had quickly proven the gray she-cat right. He’d caught as much prey as Wind Runner, and the groupleader had soon forgotten that she’d ever had doubts about the young tom.
    But even Spotted Fur’s skill and enthusiasm couldn’t make prey appear where there was none.
    Gray Wing narrowed his eyes, unnerved by