Title: A Rose By Any Another Name

Cover:

Plot

Cats don't choose their mates - the leader does.

Everyone in the clan has long since accepted this rule and most cats don't mind having their mate chosen for them.

Nettlesong already has a mate - Rainblossom and the two are not happy together.

In fact, he doesn't even like she-cats.

The young tom fell in love with the deputy - Nightleap and can't get his eyes off of him.

Falling in love can get you punished, exiled or even executed.

However, liking a cat that is of the same gender to you is considered an even worse offence than that.

That's why he's been keeping his crush a secret for so long.

When Nightleap is assigned a mate - Birchowl, Nettlesong plans to figure out if he actually likes her.

However, a few days later, he catches Rainblossom and Birchowl together behind the nursery, licking each other.

He realises that they like each other as well.

Nettlesong is glad that Rainblossom has found proper love, seeing as she was never happy with him.

He then goes to ask Nightleap a question.

"If you could choose your mate - who would you choose?"

Nightleap seems confused at the question, then looks around nervously and picks... Rainblossom?

Nettlesong isn't sure that's who he actually likes.

That night, he hears a horrific shriek and both Rainblossom and Birchowl are lying, dead in the centre of camp.

Nettlesong knows that this is what will happen to both him and Nightsong if anyone finds out about his huge crush on the tom.

The only way Nettle can control his feelings and keep his love safe, is by running away...