Chapter 5

                                   Chapter 5

“Now.” Lakestar announced. “Where were you?” There was another tone in his voice, with a hint of worry, yet barely recognizable.

“We- w-we were…” Sunstreak stumbled with her words. Lakestar flicked his tail with impatience, expecting an answer to his question.

“We just decided to take a break out in the meadow.” Whiteclaw blurted out.

                  “I see...” Lakestar replied. His icy gaze drifted over Whiteclaw, checking for a small hint of lying. Whiteclaw didn’t know why, but Lakestar’s icy stare seemed to have another emotion, hidden deeper in Lakestar’s memory-filled eyes. “Sunstreak.” He stated. “I already told you today you would be having your lessons.”

By looking at Sunstreak’s guilty expression, Whiteclaw could tell she had forgotten.

                  “Now we will discuss these matters later.” He announced. “For now, follow me. We have something else to discuss.”

He led them into the castle, and Whiteclaw couldn’t help but admiring the green jade and ruby overflowing from chests. She padded after Lakestar, sharing a worried glance with Sunstreak. They stopped at the throne, nodding to the group of gathering wolves.

Lakestar started. “Shadestorm is arriving to-“ Suddenly, a grinning black wolf with wispy black fur and green eyes as sparkly as jade trotted through the doorway.

“I decided to leave a bit early.” The wolf, named Shadestorm, explained.

                  “Hello Shadestorm.” Lakestar greeted, his icy gaze filling with warmth and pleasant surprise.

                  “I missed you.” Shadestorm said, padding over to his father. His throat rumbled with pleasure as they touched noses. “Hello Sunstreak.” Sunstreak touched noses with her older brother, her expression breaking into a grin. He whispered into Sunstreak’s ear, as if sharing secret, and Sunstreak cracked up to his comment. Whiteclaw had just met this black wolf , yet she already liked him if he could turn a worried Sunstreak into a laughing one.

                  “How did your journey go?” Foxtail asked.

                  “Wonderful.” Shadestorm replied. “And I brought a few friends along.” Two wolves walked in, one with shaggy silver and dark gray fur, with intelligent blue eyes and her witty smile. The other one came in more reluctantly, slowly creeping into the room with his yellow eyes troubled. He had light brown fur, and a broken tail. “These are Mudfoot and Whistlewind.” Shadestorm introduced.                              

Whistlewind smiled, but Mudfoot just mumbled “Hi.” while looking at the floor. Whiteclaw could tell he was shy.

                  “I met them at Frozen Valley.” Whiteclaw shivered at just the thought of the valley’s freezing weather.

                  “My family was hurt in a snowstorm,” Whistlewind said. “They were too weak from their wounds to travel, but I told them I’d go with Shadestorm. I promised to not get hurt, since they’d probably expect me to fall off a bridge or something else drastic.” Shadestorm smiled at Whistlewind, and his tail curled around hers. He winked at her.

                  “Dad.” Shadestorm started. “I have something else to tell you…” He dragged on, waiting a few silent seconds to continue. “Me and Whistlewind are mates.”