Toklo waited until the huge bear was almost upon him. Then, ducking under the outstretched paws, he hurled himself at one of Chogan’s hind legs. The big bear lost his balance, then tottered and fell to the ground with a crash that shook the forest. Toklo narrowly avoided being crushed under the big bear’s weight. Slipping aside, he spun around and leaped on top of Chogan, pinning him to the ground with a claw at his throat.

“It was definitely a mistake,” he hissed into the old bear’s ear. “Because I’ve come back to take revenge! If you’re so determined to live alone, why did you let Oka give birth to us here, you old wolf-breath?”

Chogan’s gaze met Toklo’s, his eyes glittering with fury. “Because I’m your father,” he replied.

Toklo lurched backward. “Wh-what?” he choked. “You’re my father?” He felt his heart thudding painfully, and for a moment he couldn’t think what to say. “Then why did you drive us away?” he asked eventually.

Chogan rose stiffly to his paws and gave an indifferent shrug. “Because this is my home, not yours. Your mother should have taught you to fight for your own territory.”

“I taught myself!” Toklo retorted. “And my mother’s name is Oka. At least show enough respect for her to use it.”

Now that the fight was over, and Chogan wasn’t losing to a younger, smaller bear, the rage in his eyes died away, to be replaced by amusement. He circled Toklo, peering at him. “You turned out well,” he said. “I could be proud of a son like you. I guess I did the right thing.”

Chogan’s approval meant nothing to Toklo. Instead, it stung like thorns in his fur. “You have no right to claim credit for raising me,” he growled. “I grew up well in spite of having a lazy, arrogant father who abandoned my mother. If I ever have cubs, I’d want to watch them growing up close by, and teach them skills to hunt and survive.”

Chogan tossed his head. “You’ll be grateful to me one day,” he sneered.

“Never!” Toklo told him, trying to put all the contempt he felt into the single word. “I have a different family now. I don’t need you, and I never did. I’m strong because of who I am, not because of you!”

“Strong, huh?” Chogan’s gaze traveled arrogantly over Toklo. “You think you’re strong? Let’s fight again, and I’ll show you just how strong you are!”

Toklo felt fury building inside him. But he didn’t want to fight this miserable old bear. “You’re my father!” he spat. “Just because you showed no mercy to my mother doesn’t mean I can’t show mercy to you.”