The full moon hung low in the dark sky, silhouetting Queen as she sat upon the Hill. Topside at the Main Burrow was the whole Alphas family. Pride stood close to the Hill’s base and stared up at his mate, their youngest daughter Brightlight, by his side. The little two-moon-old pup was quivering with excitement. Grace sat with Ruff, Stripe, and Daisy of Queen’s first litter. Just behind them were Tumble, Spot, and Violet, they were six moons old. They were harassing each other and generally making a fuss. They were Queen’s fourth litter. “Settle!” Mist, Noble’s grown daughter, hissed from behind them. Casting annoyed glances back at her, the three littermates sat down and stilled themselves. Noble nodded approvingly as he wove his way over to Mist. To the back of the crowd sat Hawk and Scarlet, they were Queen’s third litter. They had always been close and Sorrel watched as they whispered to each other. Near them, Poppy was busy grooming her four grown pups. Crow, Wildcat, Weed, and Shimmer protested and kept ducking her tongue.

“You are all being ridiculous!” Poppy said as Crow dodged her for the second time. “Brightlight could choose any of you to be her guardian. You should look the part, not like a gaggle of squirrels returning form a game of Seek. Honestly.” Poppy huffed in frustration and Wildcat couldn’t help a pup-like chuckle. Poppy cut him a server look and he quieted with a guilty glance at Crow, who shrugged. Sorrel felt a pang of loneliness. She had no litter mates. She was of Queen’s second litter. Two pups had been born, but Sorrel’s brother had died before they opened their eyes for the first time. She couldn’t even remember him.

Sorrel crouched at the very back of the group. She had little enthusiasm for the ceremony ahead. She was happy for her youngest sister, but she was sure that she herself would not be chosen as her guardian. It wouldn’t be the first time that...