The Nightmare

[Back in Leaf Pack...]

Fernspice looked at Lilymoon's new litter consisting of one pup which she named Lunarpup. "He's beautiful," Fernspice whispered to Lilymoon, "I'd hate for Hawk to touch him." Suddenly the alpha, Hawk came into the nursery. "How's our pup," he asked poor Lilymoon, who had been forced to mate with Hawk and have his pups. "F-fine H-hawk," Lilymoon stuttered softly. Hawk then left, but not before exchanging a malicious, but clever glance at Fernspice. Fernspice sighed deeply, nearly growling. What does he want now? Fernspice walked into Hawk's cave with her ears flattened. It would be lovely to have work to do right now. "I think it's time we clear something up. I want to know how to make these wolves loyal, Fernspice." Fernspice gasped. "Hawk... they would never be loyal, you TOOK our pack! Killed our healer! And manipulated me," she yelled. "Tsk, tsk, tsk. A healer with no loyalty does not deserve to live in my pack." Hawk pinned Fernspice to the ground, then suddenly a golden she wolf walked in. "Hawk, if I may speak," she said in a calm voice. "Hurry up, Lionsoul," Hawk growled. "Fernspice is the only healer in this pack. If you kill her now, this pack will be without a healer." Hawk looked back at Fernspice. "Consider yourself lucky," he growled softly. Fernspice walked back to her cave with Lionsoul following after. "Thank you," Fernspice whispered. "Save it for when I'm dead," Lionsoul growled. "Why do you listen to Hawk," asked Fernspice, "You know his decisions are wrong!" "Why do you not join him," asked Lionsoul, "Yes, his decisions are wrong, but in time, he will provide for the pack!" Lionsoul looked outside the cave, where Iceheart and Owleyes were listening. "I have to get back on duty," Lionsoul barked, "Stay safe. And watch what you say. I won't save you next time." Fernspice nodded and went to her bed to lay down. She watched as Deerhunter played with Viperfang. She had no need for pups. Her pups were all right here in her pack. They were her family. Fernspice's ears dropped. She remembered that night. He tried to make her break the rules of the medic wolf. "Fernspice." Tiger walked in, bringing a hare in with him, and dropped it next to her. Fernspice perked her ears and opened an eye and looked at Tiger's catch. Tiger wagged his tail, waiting for a praise. Fernspice hesitated to speak. Is this some sort of trick? Fernspice sat up, growling, when Tiger nuzzled her on the cheek. "I have brought you the fattest hare," Tiger whined, "Aren't you happy?" "Where did you get this," Fernspice asked. "I stole it from Fire Pack! I must be very brave," Tiger barked. Or incredibly stupid, thought Fernspice. Fernspice rolled her eyes and looked at Tiger. "I prefer to eat my food alone." "But Fernspice," Tiger began begging, "I'm your mate." Tiger rested his head on Fernspice. Of course her ears dropped. Poor Fernspice.

"I even brought my own squirrel!" "Good for you," Fernspice said, gritting her teeth. Fernspice walked to her herbs and sat with the hare to eat. That way she could eat and count herbs at the same time. "Go," she growled. Tiger's ears dropped as he walked out. Now, Fernspice thought, I can eat in silence. Fernspice bit into the hare. It was...fresh? Chewy....Delicious. She licked around her muzzle and began to wonder, how did Fire Pack get such a catch in this season? Fernspice paused in her thoughts. Fernspice was becoming very tired. Are these poppy seeds? Who could have done this? Fernspice dropped to the ground. Deerhunter stared in horror. Her sister was laying on the ground, unconscious. "Sweet Deerhunter," said Tiger, "don't be afraid. You know she's been up for hours. She must have been exhausted!" Don't fall for it Deerhunter! He's lying! "Well, I guess you're right," Deerhunter murmured, "You seem like a really nice wolf to her. Are you going to help her get to bed?" Tiger placed a paw on Deerhunter's shoulder. "Of course." Deerhunter smiled and ran to tell the pack not to disturb Fernspice. Tiger smirked as he walked into Fernspice's cave. No! Some wolf needs to stop him! Tiger wiped his paw around Fernspice's head. "Look how beautiful you are when you're asleep." Tiger turned Fernspice over and looked at her sleeping eyes. "My dear Fernspice," he whispered, "why do you care about the code?"

Some moons later..

A high wolf walked into Fernspice's cave. "You haven't shown yourself in moons, Fernspice." Fernspice began to cry. 'Moon Pack, have mercy!' Fernspice looked up to see the high wolf staring at her with disappointment. "What have you done?" "I did nothing." "LIES!" "Cougar, think," barked Lionsoul, "she never leaves her cave for anything. She hasn't left since Tiger came into her cave moons ago." Suddenly, Tiger came in panting as if had been chased. "Fernspice! I didn't think you would start talking to any one again. How are you my love?" Iceheart dashed into the cave, nearly knocking everything over. Tiger whined. He knew what was coming for him now. "You'll never guess what Tiger did!"

"YOU MATED WITH FERNSPICE?"

Redtail paused in his steps and looked towards the medic cave. "Ooo." Redtail watched as Lionsoul stomped furiously to the alpha's cave. "Hawk. Tiger mated with the medic! And you, in our last meeting said that none of us shall mate with wolves of your pack without your permission. But he did it anyway," Lionsoul growled. "TATTLE TALE," Tiger barked. "And what do insist that I do, Lionsoul," Hawk asked calmly. Lionsoul hesitated. "You...should give her an apprentice." Hawk sat up and stretched. "Fernspice will have her apprentice. And Tiger will suffer his consequences. Thank you, Lionsoul. You are dismissed." Lionsoul turned and walked out of the cave. Tiger better suffer. As Eclipse always said, 'No bad deed goes unpunished, wether it be by me, or Moon Pack.' Lionsoul went to the nursery to check on Lilymoon. Her pup was clearly old enough to be an apprentice. "Lunarpup is just fine if he wants to know," Lilymoon murmured. Lilymoon yelped as Lionsoul picked up Lunarpup and brought him out of the nursery. The pack stared curiously. Hawk looked upon the pup from high stone. "The pup is ready," Lionsoul barked as she set the pup down.Fernspice peeked her head out of her cave, being just as curious as the rest of the pack. "Today, this pup is going to become an apprentice," Hawk barked. Eyes were staring wide, afraid and wondering, what will this pup do? "Lunarpup, you will now be known as Lunarpaw, and your mentor will be Fernspice." Fernspice slowly backed into her cave as the pack murmured amongst themselves. Now the question was 'Why would Fernspice need an apprentice?' Lunarpaw walked to his mother, his ears flat against his head. "Mother, I can't do this. I'm not ready!" Lilymoon licked Lunarpaw on the head. "I know. But you must accept this." Lilymoon lowered her head then whispered, "Just think, you, a lucky little pup, will get to see the ancestors!" Lunarpaw tagged his tail. He always dreamed of seeing the ancestors with the other medic wolves. This would be his chance. Lilymoon smiled as she watched her pup bouncing his way to the Medic cave. At last, Lunarpaw was safe. Safe from Hawk.