Hello again guys! I'm trying to prioritize this book over the others at the moment since it has been neglected for a while. So, expect chapters more frequently. -S

     Eliza's POV

     Alex was chatting with Peggy in front of Alex's and Herc's shared den. What is she up to now? I was about to get up and join their conversation when Peggy said something that made him look flustered and stagger backwards. She laughed and bounced off. I went up to him and decided to ask what the conversation was about. "Hey, Alex, what was all that about?" I asked casually.

     "N-nothing. It doesn't really matter." I stated. He shook himself and proceeded to find Washington when John came out of the den. I didn't have a problem with him, that is, until he began taking all of Alex's spare time. I love him, although I've never been able to tell him that, and I didn't want some male to take him from me. Let alone, some male he's barely met!

     "Mornin'." He said, dipping his head and heading toward Washington, who was organizing patrols by the front of camp. Alex followed more slowly. I flicked my tail and went over to where Angelica was sitting in the morning sun light.

     "Hey Angie," I asked, seating myself next to her. She hummed and used her paws to prop herself up. "I-i've had feelings for Alex ever since we came here, but I've just never been able to tell him. Then, John comes and seems to be taking up all of Alex's time and attention all within one day of being here! What should I do?" I cried. 

     The second I mentioned that I liked Alex, her neutral expression seemed to give way to an unreadable expression. Once I had finished, she slowly nodded to herself and turned her gaze to me again.

"Talk to him," She said, her voice quivering. "Tell him how you feel. It won't kill you to try, right?" I nodded. 

"Thanks Angie!" I said, hopping away. 

"You're welcome..." She whispered.

     Herc's POV

     I awoke to find Laf towering over me. "Wake up, sleepyhead," He chirped. "The first hunting patrol already went out. We can eat and then ask to go on a border patrol or something." I gave him a large yawn and a nod. Getting up and stretching, I shook scraps of moss from my fur and padded toward the entrance of the den. 

     The sunlight shined in my eyes and I blinked rapidly, trying to get used to the brightness of outside. Alex and John were heading out with Aaron to go on a border patrol and Peggy was bouncing around Washington's paws. I stifled a laugh and went over to the prey pile. Laf followed and grabbed a squirrel. I picked up a vole and happily munched it down. Laf swiftly ate his squirrel and padded over to Washington. "Washington, sir, is there a patrol me and Herc could join?" Laf asked him.

     "Not a patrol, I need you to go with Peggy to collect some herbs. We need to restock. She'll tell you which ones to grab and which to leave alone." He said, flicking his tail at Peggy. She stopped prancing around his paws and sat down next to him.

     "Yep! Come on, fellas!" She said before bouncing into the forest. Laf snickered before racing after her. I picked up my pace to catch up with them. 

     "Yo! Why are we running!" I asked. Suddenly, Peggy came to an abrupt stop and began sniffing at some tree roots before ripping out a clump of leaves. 

     "Here, carry these. Don't eat 'em." Peggy said dropping the bundle at my paws. I shrugged and took them in my mouth. She then grabbed a bunch of flowers and dropped them at Laf's paws. "Hold those." She ordered. Laf swiftly took them into his mouth and Peggy sniffed around the tree roots again.  She ripped out a mouthful of smaller roots and flicked her tail, indicating she wants us to follow her. 

     We stepped back into camp and made our way over to Peggy's rock. We placed the herbs down and she waved us off. "If you see Hamilton, send him over here." She said before turning to put the herbs away. I nodded and headed off. John, Alex, and Aaron came through the entrance soon after Laf and I had settled down in the shade. 

     Aaron's POV

     "Should I give the report of our patrol to Washington?" I asked Alex. He nodded and I walked to the prey pile, where Washington was sitting. "Hello, sir," I greeted.

     "Hello, Aaron. Have you come to tell me about the patrol?" I nodded and began telling him that there was no sign of any other cats and the cats that did come had moved on. He nodded slowly and dismissed me. I grabbed a couple mice and went over to where James was napping. Settling down, I began eating my mouse. I guess the smell of it made James hungry, because he awoke and glanced at my mouse.

"Hey, Aaron. When'd you get back?" He asked, yawning. 

"A couple minutes ago." I replied, swallowing a mouthful of mouse. I finished my mouse and pawed the other toward James. "Here, you must be hungry." He nodded.

"Thanks Aaron." He said before digging into the mouse. I stifled a laugh and stretched out in the patch of warm sunlight.

     Alex's POV

     I sat down by Laf and Herc with John by my side. "Peggy wanted to talk with ya." Herc said as we sat down. "Hope you come back alive!" Herc laughed as I made my way over to her. "I was told you needed me?" I asked Peggy, whose back was to me. She hummed and turned around. 

"You need to tell him!" She whisper-shouted. "You obviously love him and it's getting annoying that you are trying to restrain yourself from making a move!" I laughed nervously and began messing with my tail, a nervous tick of mine. 

"Someday..."

     Hey guys! So sorry I didn't update yesterday, I was dealing with some stuff, but I hope you enjoyed! -S