Star Spirit gazed down at his tribe from the top of his den, Rose was by his side, he turned his blue eyes to his beautiful mate, her pelt glittered in the sunlight and her ember eyes shined with delight. He licked her cheek and she giggled just as Misty's patrol came in, with the leader of the Southern Tribe, Coal Spirit, taking the rear. Star Spirit leaped down, Rose was about to follow but he told to her not to since she was expecting, he stalked toward the patrol and Crescent explained to him that Coal Spirit wishes to speak to him. The black wolf dipped his head to Star Spirit as if to say it's true. The two leaders went to Star Spirit's den, with Rose joining the other queens by the nursery.

"What do you think Coal Spirit wants?" Diamond, a beautiful silver tabby who was close to kitting, wondered out loud. Rose looked at her sister.

"Hopefully, it isn't another territory requested, we need all the territory we can get, especially with two queens expecting kits." She meowed as a wriggling sensation entered her belly.

Diamond giggled, "Yeah, also I have a question for you: What's it like to have your leader as your mate?" She asked, from there, the two soon-to-be mothers began to chat about something other than what is going on with Star Spirit.

"I said no, we're not leaving our camp, you can't just drive us out of our home like this!" The ginger tom growled. Coal Spirit had explained to him that the Northern Tribe needed to leave their territory and move farther East, so the Southern Tribe will have more territory and the two tribes won't be at each other's throats again.

"Star Spirit, you have to understand, humans are threatening to invade your territory, if you move and we get your territory, we'll be able to fight them off." Coal Spirit reasoned. Star Spirit blinked and glanced outside where his mate and sister-in-law were chatting, he thought about the risk of fighting the humans, he didn't want Rose or his kits to get hurt, or even die. He sighed and gazed at Misty, who was eating a squirrel by herself, he didn't know why he was staring at her, but he just was. He faced Coal Spirit again.

"Alright, we'll move, but only after Diamond's kits are born and fit enough to travel." He meowed, remembering how close the pregnant she-cat is to having her kits. Coal Spirit looked angry.

"Oh, I think you should be leaving now." He said, suddenly Star Spirit heard a yowl from Shine from outside of his den, he raced out and wolves came pouring into the camp, he saw a familiar brown pelt in the corner of his eye and he recognized Eagle, he had pinned Misty down and she was struggling for air. He was about to go help her when Coal Spirit knocked him to the ground.

"You should've left when I gave you the chance." He chuckled as he raised his claws, "Any last words?" Star Spirit only had one word.

"Retreat!" He yowled. Immediately, his tribe all ran for the camp entrance, Star Spirit hoped Rose was with them, as soon as he thought the entire tribe was out, he ran outside with them when Coal Spirit let him go. The cats ended up near the river as the Southern Tribe howled together in triumph. Pine trotted up to his leader.

"Rose is missing!" He cried, his eyes wide with concern. Star Spirit stared at him in dismay.

"Then, where is she?" He asked, Pine shook his head saying no one knew. Star Spirit hissed in frustration and trotted back into the forest to look for his mate. He heard a blood-curdling screech and his blood turned ice cold. He rushed forward to see a black female wolf standing over a dead she-cat, she was bleeding by the neck. Her tortoise shell fur was stained scarlet from the blood. Star Spirit's heart stopped when he recognized the cat.

"Rose!"