Swinging around, she led the way across the ice to where Yakone lay, the faint movement of his chest the only sign that he was still alive. Turning back to her mother and Nanuk, Kallik saw that they were looking down at Yakone, their heads bowed and their eyes full of sorrow.

“Yes, dear one, we can end his suffering,” Nisa said.

Relief made Kallik’s legs feel shaky, though she didn’t understand why her mother and Nanuk were looking so sad. “Great!” she barked. “What do I have to do? There aren’t any healing herbs out here, are there?”

“You don’t understand. I said we can end his suffering.” There were stars in the depths of Nisa’s eyes as she faced Kallik. “It is time for him to join the spirits.”

For a moment Kallik stood frozen, hardly able to understand what her mother was telling her. Then realization hit her like a blow. “No!” she burst out. “You’re not going to take him! I won’t let you!”

“You must,” her mother said gently. “It’s time.”

“No!” Kallik bared her teeth. “Yakone is mine. I’ll fight you for him if I have to!”

Nanuk took a step toward Kallik, who spun to face her, one paw raised to strike.

“Let him go,” Nanuk said. “With us, he’ll be free from pain.”

Kallik let out a low growl from deep within her chest. “I won’t,” she replied through gritted teeth. “Yakone belongs with me. Somehow I’ll find a way to help him. I’ll never give up!”

She faced her mother and Nanuk, bracing herself to fight. Then she saw that their bodies were fading, and she could see stars through their fur. She realized, too, that she couldn’t pick up their scent; even at first when she had pressed so close to her mother, she had smelled nothing but the ice and the stars.

They’re not real, she thought as the last of their outlines vanished and the she-bears who were so dear to her became nothing more than a wisp of ice crystals blown away on the wind. For a moment, she had never felt so alone.

The wind grew stronger, scouring the ice and flattening Kallik’s fur against her side. But the sound it made wasn’t the familiar blustering. It was a drawn-out, wailing howl. . . .

Kallik jerked awake. Piercing howls came from the forest around their hiding place. Silver light sliced through the bushes, telling Kallik that the moon had risen. Lusa and Toklo were already on their paws.

“The wolves are getting closer,” Toklo growled. “It’s better if we wake up and move on, just to be on the safe side.”

“Why?” Kallik asked. “The wolves won’t attack us. We’re too big to be prey. And Yakone shouldn’t have to move if it’s not necessary.”