Broken Faith [Prologue]

  "What do you think, Emerald?" A voice mewed. Emerald glanced up from her grooming with her tongue halfway out. She looked at her mate. The white-and-gray American Shortaired cat stared back at her with an amused look. "You know, you look rather silly with your tongue sticking out like that." he chuckled.

Emerald's tongue slid back into her mouth and she rolled her green eyes. "Oh, stop it, Shortstem." she purred. She knew her mate could be teasing at times, but she would always love him no matter what. Shortstem is a loyal mate and she knew she could trust him. Emerald recently got pregnant because she wanted to have another litter with Shortstem, and wanted her first daughter, Sage, to be an older sister.  A younger sibling would give Sage a new experience to help raise her child along with their mother so they can have experience when Sage has kittens of their own. Emerald knew Sage would be delighted with the idea and wanted to surprise them. "So, you really want to tell them?" Emerald asked.

Shortstem nodded, his tail curled with delight. "I think they'll be happy," he purred. "They'll be a great sister."

Emerald nodded and rose to her paws. "Then let's tell them." she purred. Both cats padded out of the log and headed over to the calico cat. Sage was curled up into a ball, watching the flowers blow gently against the breeze on the bushes. Emerald knew her daughter loved flowers as much as she did, but she also knew that Sage would love the news even more.

"Sage?" Emerald mewed, making her daughter stand up to her paws. Sage turned around and headed over to their mother. "Yes, mother?"

"I have great news," Emerald purred. "You're going to be an older sister!"

Sage's jaws dropped. Then, "That's so great! I am going to be an older sister!" they  purred, rubbing against their mother's fur. Emerald purred at her daughter's touch. I knew you'd be happy.

Suddenly both cats rose their heads and flicked their ears. Sage growled when they heard the sound of barking farther ahead and hissed at Emerald, "Mother, get back! Foxes are here!"

"What?" Shortstem headed out of the log and stood protectively in front of his mate, fur bristling. Emerald's ears flattened with fear as she spotted a fox emerging from the flower bushes, both snarling at the cats, drooling as if it was hungry. Emerald gulped, but she unsheathed her claws. I don't want my family to fight alone! But, to her disappointment, Shortstem pushed his mate back into the log. Emerald hissed with frustration and stared up at her mate with fear in her eyes. "Please, Shortstem! I don't want to lose you!"

"I'll be fine!" Shortstem hissed at her, making her flinch. Stop being so stubborn! "You're carrying our litter! You're the one who needs to be careful!" The American Shorthaired cat leaped at the foxes and Sage began to leap in after him, slashing at them. "Stay away from our home!" they hissed.

As she watched the attack, Emerald's vision suddenly turned black, and there was a zigzag shape that sliced through her vision. It then opened to a blurry scene. Emerald squinted her eyes, trying to make out the figures, but all she could see were their colors on their pelts. There was a female, silver and white, while the other one was a male, all silver. There were also orange pelts, about the size of foxes, and she smelled blood, which scared Emerald. She didn't recognize these cats. I don't know them. Am I having a vision? Sometimes the Turkish Angora would have visions or her dreams would come true. She wasn't sure why, but this has always happened to her since she was a kitten. However, this ability always scared her, because whenever she tried to prevent it, it would always happen no matter what. Emerald then sniffed the air, recognizing a faint trace of her own scent coming off of the silver and white cat. Is this cat my future child?

But before she could be sure, she was suddenly back into the present. The Turkish Angora blinked and stared ahead. The fox disappeared into the bushes, yelping in pain and frustration. Shortstem returned to her, covered in cuts and panting, but his eyes were proud. Emerald sighed and looked at him with amusement in his gaze. Her mate would never tell her that he had been defeated. She knew he was proud. Shortstem is a good fighter for this family, as well as her daughter. Shortstem trained Sage well. They both turned into fine family members.

She wondered how her future child would turn out, remembering the scent of blood, and then told herself that she was sure everything would be fine. Nothing bad will happen to my family and we will never break apart. Whatever happened to the silver and white cat, if this cat turns out to be her child, she will make sure that nothing bad happens to her and she will try to raise her with a positive personality. Sage turned into a fine daughter. Surely my next child will be the same.

"Are you okay?" Shortstem's voice cut her off from her thoughts. Emerald forgot that her mate was there and she felt a twinge of guilt. "Yes, I'm fine," she mumbled, feeling comforted when her mate lapped at her head. Everything is going to be just fine.