Path of Stars Read Free Page A

Tail glanced around. “The mice and squirrels might only be hiding until the thaw’s finished.”
    â€œI guess.” Thunder tried to push away his doubts. “Let’s keep hunting.” He was leader. He was supposed to know what to do. But he couldn’t make prey appear out of thin air. He picked up the mouse and followed the rise, climbing over the roots that snaked across the earth. He knew there was a crop of boulders near the top of the ravine. Prey might have burrowed deep into the crevices there. As he headed toward them, glancing wistfully up at the treetops, Lightning Tail fell in beside him.
    Early sunlight glowed between the bare branches. Thunder’s thoughts flashed to the previous day. He had helped move the heavy stone in the four trees hollow and watched as Clear Sky, Gray Wing, Jagged Peak, Sun Shadow, and Tall Shadow had laid Quiet Rain to rest beneath it. The old she-cat’s bodywas safe now from prowling foxes, finally at peace after her long journey and painful sickness.
    He’d been privately glad to leave grief behind and return to the ravine. His friends had welcomed him happily, listening solemnly as he’d shared the news of Quiet Rain’s death, and murmuring with surprise when he’d told them that Gray Wing had left Tall Shadow’s group to return to the moor. I hope he has finally found his true home.
    Thunder had never regretted leaving Clear Sky’s group and starting his own. Leaf, Pink Eyes, Owl Eyes, Lightning Tail, and Milkweed were loyal and brave, and he was grateful that they’d decided to come with him to the new camp. For the first time, Thunder was where he felt he belonged. On the moor, Gray Wing’s kindness had never eased Thunder’s craving for the love and approval of his father, Clear Sky. In Clear Sky’s camp, he’d never felt fully accepted. Now he knew that he no longer needed either of them. He was guided only by the needs of his group. They depended on him, and he was determined not to let them down. He was a leader.
    As they neared the rocks, Lightning Tail’s mew cut into his thoughts. “The group should practice tree climbing.” The black tom stopped and gazed up the wide trunk of an oak. A blackbird was hopping along a lower branch.
    Thunder stopped and laid the mouse on the ground. “Try it,” he encouraged.
    Lightning Tail circled the tree, then reached up and hooked his claws into the mossy bark. Hauling himself up, he sent fuzzy pieces showering down. The blackbird jerked around,eyes sparking as it caught sight of Lightning Tail. With a squawk it fluttered upward and landed easily on a branch overhead.
    Lightning Tail growled. “Why does the best prey have wings?”
    Movement caught Thunder’s eye. His gaze snapped toward the rocks. A thrush was strutting over the top, stopping every few steps to peck at the cracks in the stone. Thunder froze. There was no undergrowth between him and the thrush. One move and he’d be spotted. He stared, paws rooted to the ground. A thrush would make a good meal for Clover and Thistle. They were only four moons old and the bird would fill their bellies easily. He watched it hungrily. How could he get near enough to pounce without being seen?
    Slowing his breath, he crouched and slithered like a snake along the forest floor. Wet leaves soaked his belly fur. Heart pounding, he fixed his gaze on the thrush.
    Suddenly a black shape dropped from above.
    Thunder gasped, pelt bushing. Lightning Tail! Had the tom fallen? Panic flashed beneath Thunder’s fur. Then it melted as he caught his friend’s eye. Lightning Tail’s gaze was fixed on the thrush. He’d jumped from the branch!
    The bird spread its wings, eyes wild with alarm. Too late. Yowling with triumph, Lightning Tail landed with a thud beside it and snapped his jaws around its neck.
    Thunder broke into a purr. “Impressive!”
    Lightning Tail bounded toward