Hello, everyone! I know its been quite a while since my last update and I'm deeply sorry. I just simply haven't had the time or energy to do so. I'm a busy person but I want to try and update when I can. I hope this chapter makes up for lost time and I hope you haven't given up on me! Please, enjoy!

Chapter 8

Plato couldn't comprehend how he was feeling right now. He felt horrible, awful, so overwhelmed with guilt. In only a matter of two days ago, he had realized that not only was mated to dazzling queen but was also completely head over heels with her best friend! His best friend as well no less! All day he had been doing his best to avoid both queens. So far he had been successful and used the time to hang around with Admetus who he had earlier confided in. He knew he couldn't tell anyone else. He and Admetus were close and therefore he trusted him but this secret was just to big to let out any further. Plato decided that this was something that he needed to keep to himself from now on. Somehow he needed to find a way to surpress his feelings. He couldn't let this bother him. He would have to convince himself that Victoria was the only one he wanted and needed, despite how he was pinning for another queen. Plato sighed. 'Oh, Jemima' he thought to himself. 'If only I had realized what was right in front of me sooner. If I had known how much I need you..would things be different? Would you want me too?' He sighed again. 'But I can't think of that now can I? It's already too late.' The best thing for him now was to be happy for what he had and be happy for Jemima. Even if he hated Alonzo. 'Damn him. He better be nothing but good to her.'

Meanwhile somewhere in the junkyard, a troubled queen was expressing her concerns to her brother. Victoria awoke disappointed when she found a note instead of seeing her beloved mate laying next to her. The note was short but sweet. It still didn't satisfy Victoria though. Why had he not asked to come along with them. Sure she hated getting her dirty but she was hoping to spend some time alone with Plato that day. She knew she would see him later on but she was growing impatient. She wondered why he had been acting so strange for the past couple of days.

"Ever since Munkustrap announced Alonzo and Jemima's engagement, he's been acting weird. Not like himself." she frowned.

Mistofellees shrugged. "Maybe he justed wanted some time alone."

"Why would he want time alone from me? It's not as if I prevent him from seeing his friends. What if he's upset with me for some reason?"

"Calm down, Victoria. I was just making a suggesting. Maybe it isn't that at all. Maybe its something else."

"Like what?"

"I don't now, I'm a conjurer, I don't read minds! Why don't you just ask him?"

"I've tried to, Misto! But I'm finding it harder to be alone with him and when we are alone we're both too tired to talk! It's almost as What am I going to do Misto!"

"Victoria, calm down!" he yelled placing his hands on her shoulders. "Why are you acting so anxious anyway? I've never seen you so hysterical, sister."

Victoria sighed. "It's just that..there's something important I want to discuss with Plato."

"What is it? You can tell your dear old brother right?"

Victoria turned away and blushed. "Well, it's just that..I think it's about time that Plato and I had kittens."

"YOU WANT KITTENS?" Misto's eyes widened in shock.

"Misto! Please lower your voice!"

"I'm sorry, Vicky. It's just the idea of my baby sister becoming a mother. It's a lot to take in."

"Well, I'm not going to be a mother yet. Not until Plato and I well, until we get pregnant."

Misto made a slight disgruntled face. "So that's why you want to see him so badly. I understand now."

"Do you think that he would go for the idea?"

"Sure, I mean why wouldn't he? You two have been mated for nearly a year now I don't see why not."

Victoria sighed. "I just hope he's as ready as I am."

"If he loves you, I'm sure he'll want you to be happy." said Misto, giving his sister a reassuring smile.

The scene replayed in Jemima's head over and over again. Paralyzed with fear, she remained with her back to the wall as Cassandra continued sobbing. How could Alonzo be cold? Perhaps Cassandra had hurt him in the past but did he have to be so cruel towards her? Jemima had never seen a tom act in such a way to a queen. She had learned from her father that a queen deserved the upmost respect. It was clear that Cassandra's actions had deeply affected Alonzo.

Now you get to watch as I enjoy myself with another queen and beg me to take you back.

Was he just using her to get revenge on Cassandra? Jemima's heart sank at the thought. He claimed that he cared about her but now it was obvious that he was still bitter over Cassandra's cheating. Jemima suppossed she couldn't blame him. At the same time she couldn't believe how he had reduced Cassandra, one of the most beautiful and toughest queens in the tribe, to tears. He didn't look the least bit guilty for the things he said. As a matter of fact, he was smirking at her. Smirking. Jemima never would of thought that Alonzo could be so sadistic. He had always seemed like such a nice guy, so put together. Was this something new? Or had he secretly always been this way? Jemima pondered. She shook her head. It didn't matter when this behavior started. It was wrong. 'What am I going to do?' she thought to herself. 'Should I tell someone? The reason why he told of Cassandra was because she angered him. What if I accidently anger him one day? Will he do the same to me?' Once again the horrible scene replayed in her head. Alonzo never hit Cassandra but he did grab her wrists and push her to the ground. Would he ever lay a hand on a queen? Would he ever lay a hand on her? Jemima didn't know what to think. 'Maybe I should tell someone.' she thought. 'But what if that only makes him angrier?' Jemima also suddenly thought of how much older he was than her and how he called out Cassandra for sleeping with other toms. He was bound to have much more experience then her. She had already told him she wanted to take it slow but, what if he expected more from her sooner, more than she was ready to give? 'What if I made a horrible mistake? What if I agreeded to be his mate without seriously thinking it over?' Munkustrap had put so much effort into finding someone for her. Was she simply trying to appease her family? Jemima could no longer bear the sounds of Cassandra's weeping and quietly slipped away, then she began run. She had to get away. She had to be truly alone where she could think. She ran and ran without stopping she turned to make sure she wasn't being followed when she ran into something.

She grunted softly and winced when she realized that her impact had actually been with someone instead of something. "I'm so sorry. I wasn't watching where I was going." she said rubbing her head.

"That's alright, Jem. I forgive you." said a familiar voice. Jemima's heart stopped as she fully opened her eyes to reveal black and white fur. Alonzo.

She gulped and looked up to see the tom giving her a seemingly friendly smile.

"H-hi, Alonzo."

The tom gave a soft chuckle. "Where were you headed to so quickly?"

"Oh, I, um, I was actually l-looking for you when I thought I saw a snake."

alonzo raised his eyebrow. "A snake? In the junkyard?"

"Well, um, it looked like a snake."

Alonzo bent down to face her and smirked. "Jemima, you do know that you're a terrible liar right?"

Jemima's face turned pale and she started to panic. 'There's no way he could of known he I was watching!' she thought.

"What were you really up to, Jem? Hm?"

"I...I-"

Alonzo began to laugh. "It's okay Jem. You don't have to explain if you don't want to."

Jemima sighed in relief. Suddenly she felt Alonzo's hot breath against her ear which made her turn pale again. "But next time I won't let you off so easily though." he whispered. Jemima gulped. Alonzo pulled back and smirked. "Relax i'm only kidding."

"Oh. Okay." she said, not convinced

Alonzo placed his arm around her. "C'mon, I want to show you something."

Suddenly an idea formed in Jemima's head. "Oh, actually, Alonzo. I just remembered something. I have to go see Plato."

smile faded. "Plato? Why?"

"Well him and I sort of got into an argument the other day and I think I should find him. You know to patch things up."

Alonzo raised his eyebrow again. "Let me get this straight. You want to ditch me to go see another tom."

Jemima winced at alonzo's slight menacing glare. She smiled at him trying to look reassuring. "I'm not ditching you Alonzo. I just want to fix things is all. And besides, Plato is just my friend. I promise I'll come and see you later. Soon." she quickly added.

Alonzo shrugged his shoulders and sighed. "Fine. I guess." Again he bent down and again she turned away.

"Are you ever going to let me kiss you?" he asked, sounding annoyed.

"I'll be back soon." she replied, giving him a quick peck on the cheek. "Better hurry!" she added. Then she ran.

So what do you guys think? You like? Review please!