Scourge woke the next morning, feeling especially exhausted, having feelings was a lot harder then anyone had ever let on.

"Morning love." a voice purred calmly next to Scourge, startling him momentarily before he realized it was Brick.

"Good morning, today is the day I make the announcement my dear, everyone will know of our love" the words came easier then they did the day before, and there was no need to think of Bone to force out the feeling. And so began the slow process of Scourge accepting his fate, and learning to fake love.

"Yes, my love, they will know. And if any of them don't like it then I'll kill them myself!" Brick bared her teeth, speaking fondly of sacrifice for her love. Instead of flinching, Scourge forced a smile, cruelly baring his teeth in mock joy.

"There would be no need, dearest, I would already have them mangled. Come, they should be gathering now." Scourge lifted himself somewhat reluctantly from his warm nest and waited patiently for Brick. "You will be my great queen, my love, you will rule over them all."

"And I will be happy, because I'll be ruling beside you." Brick smiled and lifted herself to stand beside him. They took off, ready to seal their fate as well respected king and queen of the city, rulers of BloodClan.

The announcement was quick and purposeful. Cats gathered from all parts of BloodClan's districts, answering the call from the king himself.

"Toms and she-cats, we are gathered here today...to announce my new queen," she-cats glanced in all directions, looking questioningly at every feline they could get their hungry eyes on. "My chosen mate, is Brick. She will stand by my side as my equal in power and respect."

Cats murmured and a few yowled in approval, she cats hissed quietly in disappointment, but did not protest. They knew that Brick was much more worthy then all of them combined.

Cats stopped their quiet approval and the noise quickly rose to a roar, at first, Brick was sure she was being rejected. But when Scourge made out what they were chanting, a shudder of horror flashed through him.

"QUEEN BRICK, KING SCOURGE, QUEEN BRICK, KING SCOURGE!" The noise chilled him to the bone. Scourge knew he would have no more loyalty problems. Brick was his queen in their minds, now, and forevermore.

Scourge composed himself, looking over at Brick with joy twinkling in his ice cold eyes.

"See that? You are their queen, Brick, you are their queen." Brick touched her nose gently to Scourge's muzzle.

"And you are their King." Brick's purr was gentle and comforting against the hard roaring noise that revved up even more as Brick stepped closer to him.

Scourge looked out over the crowd, and to his horror, he spotted a familiar black and white coat. Bone. He was not taking part in the cheering, he was just...sitting there. His eyes looked blank and his shoulders slumped. Scourge's heart picked up as he saw how sad Bone looked, sitting alone in the crowd. His composition faltered, he stepped away from Brick slightly, every muscle in his body screaming at him to run to Bone.

"What are you thinking about?" Brick murmured against Scourge's fur. Closing the gap that Scourge had subconsciously created.

"My love, I am thinking about our future." He forced a smile, looking back into Brick's eyes and forcing a loving gaze.

When Scourge looked back to the crowd, desperate to catch Bone's eyes. He was gone.