While Yakone was speaking, a roar came from Toklo as he struck a double blow with both forepaws around the head of the last wolf, which turned tail and fled yowling out of the den. “And don’t come back!” Toklo bellowed after it.

Kallik relaxed, her gaze traveling anxiously over Yakone. The white bear stood in front of her, scratched and battered, but with the glint of victory in his eyes.

Lusa emerged from the depths of her prickly bush, her fur standing up in clumps but her eyes gleaming. “We survived!” she exclaimed.

“You were great.” Kallik pushed her nose into Lusa’s shoulder. “I bet those wolves have never been attacked by a bush before! Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” Lusa replied. “I’ve got more scratches from thorns than wolves!”

“At least you’re safe,” Kallik said warmly.

“Did you see the size of those wolves’ teeth?” Lusa went on.

“We all need some rest until dawn,” Toklo said. “I’ll take first watch.”

“But you need rest, too,” Lusa objected.

“Someone has to do it,” Toklo said stubbornly.

“The wolves won’t come back,” Yakone stated. His voice was grim, and with a jolt of relief Kallik realized that he sounded like himself for the first time in so long.

Toklo didn’t bother arguing, just turned around and hauled himself out of the den.

Kallik still felt the rush of battle coursing through her and didn’t think she would be able to sleep. But as soon as she lay down beside Yakone, darkness swirled around her, and she let herself slide into it. She was so exhausted that she didn’t even dream of wolves.

The next thing Kallik knew was a cool dampness in her fur; she opened her eyes to see Lusa dabbing at her scratches with a pad of soaked moss.

“That feels good,” Kallik murmured, aware for the first time that her whole body was stinging from the marks of the wolves’ claws.

“I don’t think any of your wounds are serious,” Lusa said. “In fact, none of us are hurt badly. We’ve been very lucky.”

Kallik’s gaze flicked to Yakone, who was sitting up, stiffly testing each leg in turn. Blood was trickling from his injured paw.

“Oh no!” Kallik exclaimed. “Your wound has opened up.”

“It’s nothing,” Yakone responded. He swiped his tongue over it. “Look, it’s stopping already.”

Kallik couldn’t help but be a little anxious, but she didn’t push it. She could see how much better Yakone felt, beyond any physical pain, because he had proved to himself that he could still fight.

“You were terrific last night,” she said.

Yakone grunted. “It wasn’t quite the same,” he admitted. “I’m still weak from being ill for so long. And my balance is all over the place. . . . I’ll have to work on that.”