Chapter 10 A New Den A murmur of laughter drifted from the other side of the apprentice den as Bramblepaw slept. Only two sunrises had passed since she became an apprentice, and she had already learned one thing: never tell the elders no. Softpaw and Rainpaw were whispering together when Thornclaw padded inside. Bramblepaw could feel the pride radiating from him. A warm thrill ran through her as he stopped beside her. “Time for a look at the border,” he announced. He paused, studying her. “You ready?” Bramblepaw nodded quickly and began smoothing her ruffled fur. When she finished, she trotted past him with a confident, “Ready!” She bounded out of the den—only to be blinded by the burning sun. Thornclaw snorted. “What are you, a kit?” he teased. “Come on.” He led the way out of camp, Bramblepaw close at his heels. Before long, the scent of BloomClan drifted toward them. But just as Bramblepaw stepped forward, Thornclaw blocked her with his tail. “Hey!” she hissed. Thornclaw flicked his tail over her mouth. “Be quiet,” he whispered sharply. Bramblepaw’s eyes widened as she spotted a fox cub gnawing on a dead rabbit. Her fur bristled. “What do we do? I don’t know how to fight,” she whispered, panic rising. Thornclaw crept forward, scanning for any sign of the mother. Finding none, he lunged. Bramblepaw leaped in beside him, clawing at whatever she could reach. The fox cub squealed, scraped the ground, and bolted into a thorny maze. “Yes!” Bramblepaw cheered, bouncing on her paws. Thornclaw’s eyes shone with pride. “That was good, Bramblepaw.” She puffed out her chest, glowing. “Let’s head back,” he said. “And get lots of rest.” They padded toward camp, Bramblepaw’s heart soaring. She had helped her Clan. END OF CHAPTER 10
