Blackwolf approached Viperstar, carrying a limp hare. He had been hunting all morning to find one – it was her favorite. The she-cat twitched an ear as he approached but otherwise seemed intent on watching Snowspots groom her two kits.
The tom felt a stab of annoyance. They’re not even FrostClan cats. He thought, feeling himself grow weary of Viperstar’s doting on Wolfkit. Though he knew his leader intended on the kit becoming their medicine cat, she still shouldn’t be focusing on him when she could have kits of her own.
Trying as hard as he could to appear casual, Blackwolf sat down beside Viperstar and nudged the hare closer. “Have you thought about what I said?”
Viperstar’s sharp gaze flicked over to Blackwolf and for a moment he thought she had completely forgotten. Then she shrugged and said, “I have. I just don’t see the need.”
Blackwolf felt a wave of frustration. “Viperstar, the Clan needs more kits. We can’t survive off bringing in strays.”
“I don’t want to be stuck in a nursery all day.” Viperstar shot back. “I should lead my Clan into battle.”
“You won’t have to.” Blackwolf blurted out. “Make Larchspeckle watch over them in the day. You’ll only have to nurse them at night. And you can stay in your own den. I’ll help you prepare it.”
Viperstar sighed heavily. “I won’t be taking you as a mate-”
“I understand that.” Blackwolf was well-aware that Viperstar still pined for his littermate, Whitethorn. Though he had, at some point, considered loving Viperstar, the hope had withered away every time he saw her with Whitethorn. But he was dead and it was time to provide kits for the Clan. Every leader before Viperstar had kits to pass on their legacy and she couldn’t break tradition now.
For a long while, Viperstar was silent. Blackwolf felt his fur begin to itch with anticipation. He wanted strong kits, and Viperstar was the strongest. Larchspeckle and Rabbitflower, though FrostClan, were both Carvers and everyone knew of Pounceshade’s infatuation with Shellstar, the leader of SeaClan.
At last, Viperstar spoke. “… fine. For the good of the Clan, then.”
Blackwolf nodded and retreated, knowing well enough when to push his luck and when to back away. Viperstar had a finicky temper and could go back on her word at the drop of a whisker. He went to his nest and curled up, waiting for when she would call him.
For a moment, Blackwolf lamented the loss of a true mate. Someone who would curl up with him, worry about his wellbeing and love their kits with all her heart. Viperstar was no such cat, he knew it even before he proposed the idea of having kits together.
Blackwolf could see Viperstar through the opening of the den. It was like she was cut from polished stone, wrapped in shadows and unbreakable. The hare sat at her paws, untouched.
It doesn’t matter. The tom sighed to himself, curling into a tighter ball and putting his tail over his eyes. FrostClan was hardly what it used to be, and if he had to give up the notion of a loving family to help it survive, then so be it.