Toklo and Kallik stood up at once, ready to set out, but Ujurak didn’t seem as eager. Still, he didn’t object as they trotted through the long, whispering grass, keeping to the line of the foothills. Geese fluttered up from patches of shallow water as the bears went past, only to settle again almost at once. Lusa’s belly was comfortably full; there was no need to hunt now. When they were hungry again, there would be plenty of prey to be caught, and hopefully some tasty leaves and berries for her. She didn’t like eating meat all the time, and her mouth watered as she thought of picking fruit from the trees on the mountains.

It seemed strange to think about having a choice of what to eat. I’d almost forgotten what it was like not to have to worry where the next meal’s coming from.

There were plenty of places to make dens too. Trees for her, holes between rocks or under tree roots for Ujurak and Toklo, and soon there would be the ice for Kallik. Lusa let out a long sigh, letting go of the tension from the many moons of fear and anxiety.

‘Race you to that rock!’ Toklo exclaimed suddenly, pointing with his snout towards a rounded grey boulder half-buried in the ground. He propelled himself forward, powerful muscles pumping under his thick brown fur; Kallik raced after him, hard on his paws, but Ujurak hesitated, his head tilted back as he studied the clouds.

‘Hey, Ujurak!’ Lusa called. ‘Are you going to let those bigger bears beat you?’

Ujurak jumped, as if his thoughts had been far away, then turned and pelted after his friends.

Lusa scampered behind them, knowing she didn’t have any hope of winning but enjoying the sensation of strength in her muscles and the certainty that they wouldn’t have to travel any more. She was a wild bear now, and this was her home. If only Ashia and Yogi could have come with her.

Toklo reached the rock a snout-length before Kallik. ‘I’ve won!’ he yelled. ‘I’m the fastest!’

‘You had a head start!’ Kallik leaped on the young grizzly and pushed him over; brown and white pelts wrestled, grunting and slapping each other with their paws.

Meanwhile Ujurak scrambled up on to the boulder and gazed around, towards the distant sea and over the rolling hills they had just left. Lusa thought he looked anxious, as if he was searching for something and couldn’t find it.

What’s got into his fur? We’ve finally made it to the place he’s been searching for. He should be happy!

‘Ujurak, are you OK?’ she asked.

Ujurak blinked at her, almost as if he didn’t recognise her. ‘What? Oh, sure, Lusa, I’m fine.’