Chapter Ten

Wind buffeted against Smoke's fur as she followed her mother down the mountains. Why her mother had chosen to leave their nest during the coldest part of leafbare was beyond Smoke's imagination. She hated the cold weather and wished they were back in their small cave. At least being surrounded by her siblings had made her feel warm. Now they were vulnerable from attacks on either side and the cold.

They were heading towards what Smoke's mother had called the Horseplace. Apparently it was a safer spot than the mountains could provide. Smoke wasn't even sure what a 'Horseplace' was or what it would look like when they got there. All she knew was that she and her siblings had been forced out in the open. And that thought left her feeling uneasy as she glanced over her shoulder at every noise she heard. She knew it was pointless to worry about every little noise.

Predators could be lurking around every corner, she silently reminded herself. Or enemy Clan cats… do they even live in a place