Rowantalon found himself, yet again, in the nursery. The spotted tom was curled against the back wall, his back towards the entrance. The queens had all left the den, speaking softly about the weak but determined sun. Rowantalon hadn't been fooled.
He had begun to think that he was cursed. Every she-cat he had ever loved had died tragically, only a few days after a litter had been born. Brokenclaw, Rabbitheart, Sunstripe... and now, Flowerleap. It was cruel.
A strange weight seemed to settle on Rowantalon's chest as he nosed the small kitten beside him gently. The motions seemed so natural, so motherly, that a watching cat would think him the queen of this litter. If one could even call the small, sleeping tom beside him a litter.
The small creature moved slightly, and Rowantalon felt a purr rise in his throat. He would protect this kitten, save him from the horrors many of his other children had faced. Lilacfall, his daughter, alone on the Thunderpath. Scarletpaw, Oakpaw, Daypaw, Snowpaw... most had never seen the inside of the Warrior's Den.
Yes, Rowantalon had been cursed.
But he wouldn't let anything hurt the little tom. He was determined that his curse wouldn't effect Wildkit's life, even if that meant the warrior had to distance himself from his final litter, his final child.
"You will be wise, like Crowfur. You will be strong, like Scorchfang. You will be cunning, like Foxpaw. You will be brave, like Owlpaw."
With a grunt, the tom pulled himself to his feet. "Wildkit, wake up." He whispered gently, nudging the fluffy kitten with one paw. "It's time for you to meet your family."
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