Brackenbark

When Emberfoot first approached him, he didn't think she was all that impressive in skill or appearance. He appreciated her boldness, however, and needed to keep any possible attention off him and Snowfern, so he flirted back. They became mates rather quickly after that, though their relationship rapidly turned from flirty and fun to vehement and spiteful. Once he was sure no one was going to associate him with Snowfern and Blackleaf, he broke it off and moved on as if nothing had happened. When Emberfoot announced that she was pregnant, however, he saw a new opportunity. He attempted to apologize and get back in with her, but she denied him and became aggressively protective of herself and her kits, keeping him as far away as possible. Determined as ever, though, he approached Star Waspstripe about the kits' apprenticeships, and was named Bramblethorn's mentor.

Their relationship began as an aggressive rivalry between apprentices that intensified when they became warriors, and what was once mutual loathing soon turned to infatuation. Knowing that his attention to Snowfern would create suspicion, though, he began flirting with other mollies from his own clan to counter any rumors. It was several moons later when Snowfern learned that she was pregnant, and Bracken immediately grew aggravated, telling Snowfern that he wouldn't be meeting with her anymore and that he was interested in someone else. It wasn't long after Blackleaf was born that he became official mates with Emberfoot. Snow is still one of the few cats from the other clans that he respects, however.

When Brackenbark was named his mentor, he didn't immediately see any major strengths in Bramblethorn, but he was easy to manipulate, and that was all he needed. So he spun his own story and kept him close, isolating him from others and reinforcing his own lies. He used Bramble's eagerness to please and desperate need for praise to his advantage, and nearly successfully turned Bramble against his mother and sister.

"How cruel of them, leaving you alone like that...and for just a little mistake... Well, they were just holding you back! You don't need them, anyway — not while I'm here."

Brackenbark doesn't interact with Blackleaf much-- only short and rare conversations at clan gatherings. He doesn't have a very well-developed opinion on her, only that she's not much use to him, and she doesn't have any interest in him.

Brackenbark has no tolerance for Specklefern. She's combative and disobedient, and has been "sorely corrupted" by Emberfoot. She refuses to cooperate with him, and thus he has given up on trying to win her over. Now his only concern is keeping her away from Bramble.