Jayfeather gave his shoulder fur a couple of awkward licks, clearly finding it hard to respond. “Thanks, Alderheart,” he meowed with a clumsy dip of his head. “That’s good to hear.” He took a pace backward and disappeared into the den.

Alderheart watched him go, letting out a purr of affection. I know where I belong, he thought. It’s with you, you grouchy, difficult, dedicated furball. And with ThunderClan.

Dawn had turned the sky above the hollow to a soft rose color as Alderheart hovered in the entrance to the medicine cat den. Across the camp, Velvet and Fuzzball were saying good-bye to some of the other cats, while Ajax waited impatiently beside the mouth of the thorn tunnel.

The cowardly part of Alderheart wanted to hide in his den until Velvet was gone, but he saw her glancing around, her nostrils flaring to catch his scent, and he knew she would be hurt if he didn’t appear.

Bracing himself, Alderheart emerged from his den and padded across the camp. Velvet left the group of cats around her and came to meet him.

“I’m going to miss having you around camp,” he mewed.

“I’ll miss you, too,” Velvet responded, a slight quiver in her voice. “But I know there’s no way we could be together. We lead such different lives. I can’t stay here, and I know you have responsibilities and can’t leave your Clan.”

Alderheart nodded. “Thanks for understanding, Velvet. I’ll never forget you.”

Velvet stretched out her neck, and the two cats touched noses briefly. “Good-bye, Alderheart,” she mewed.

“Hey, Velvet!” Ajax’s raucous yowl came from the camp entrance. “Are we standing around here all day?”

“I have to go.” Velvet blinked sadly at Alderheart, then turned and trotted briskly toward the other kittypets.

“Good-bye,” Alderheart called after her.

Velvet’s sweet scent drifted in the air for a few moments. Then she was gone.

Chapter 19

CHAPTER 19

Twigpaw’s heart was pounding uncomfortably as she left the camp and padded into the forest with Sparkpelt by her side.

I know I’m ready to become a warrior, she thought. I don’t think I can bear it if it doesn’t happen today. Suppose something goes wrong? I’m so tired of waiting!

She knew that somewhere in the forest Finpaw was doing his assessment under Larksong’s watchful gaze, but there was no sign of them now, only a fading scent trail from when they had headed out shortly before.

To begin with, Sparkpelt took the old Twoleg path that led to the abandoned den, but before they reached it, she veered off into the undergrowth and halted beside a bramble thicket.

“Right,” she meowed. “I want you to catch as much prey as you can by sunhigh. You won’t see me, but I’ll be watching you.”

This is it! Twigpaw struggled to keep her voice steady as she replied. “Okay, Sparkpelt.”