River of Lost Bears Read Online Free PDF Page B

show you the way.”
    â€œNo, thanks.” Toklo turned away. “We’re following the river.” He began clambering away over the mossy hummocks. “Don’t let Hakan push you around,” he called over his shoulder. “It’s a big territory. Stay out of his way.”
    He broke into a run, bounding between the trees, his scratches stinging once more. The air tasted damp with dew, and the shadows were growing longer. Toklo bushed his fur out against the evening chill as he hurried from the trees. They’d have to move fast. He wanted to be clear of Hakan’s territory before nightfall. There wasn’t time for any distractions.
    He crossed the sedge, climbed the rocks edging the pebbly beach, and paused. Below, Lusa was scampering around Kallik, the stones clattering beneath her paws. Toklo glanced over his shoulder. Had Chenoa followed him? He searched the shadows of the forest. Nothing moved among the trees.
    Good.
    He didn’t have time to worry about other bears. Shaking out his fur, he jumped down onto the beach.

CHAPTER FOUR
Kallik
    â€œWhere have you been?” Kallik hurried to meet Toklo as he landed on the pebbles. The scent of blood hit her nose. “What happened?” His cheek was scratched, and clumps stuck out of his fur. Kallik’s pelt prickled with worry. “Did something attack you?” She glanced toward the forest. Were there more bears there?
    â€œIt was that black bear,” Toklo huffed.
    Kallik blinked in surprise. The bear had acted tough when they’d met him earlier, but he must be crazy to attack a brown bear.
    Lusa bounded over. “Are you okay, Toklo?”
    Kallik shifted her paws. “He had a run-in with that black bear.”
    â€œI had no choice.” Toklo’s pelt was still ruffled. “He started it because I told him to stop bullying his sister. He nearly ripped her ear off.”
    Lusa’s eyes widened. “He attacked his sister?”
    Yakone was dozing in the shade of the cave. He opened an eye. “What’s going on?” His nose twitched. “Who’s bleeding?”
    â€œToklo.” Kallik sniffed Toklo’s stained ear. “He had a fight with that black bear.”
    Yakone sat up. “So you did chase him off after all. I thought you—”
    â€œHe started it,” Toklo interrupted him.
    Lusa paced in front of the cave. “Toklo was defending another bear.”
    â€œHis sister,” Toklo explained. “Hakan was angry with her for trying to leave his territory.”
    Kallik bristled. “Surely she can go where she likes?”
    Toklo frowned. “Chenoa’s only one suncircle old. Hakan thinks she has to do what he says.”
    Lusa dragged her claws through the pebbles. “I knew he was a bully the first time we saw him.”
    Toklo turned away and gazed at the sky. “The sun’s sinking,” he growled. “We should get moving.”
    Kallik watched Toklo’s pelt twitch. Was he uncertain about leaving? “We can stay if you’re worried about Chenoa,” she offered.
    Toklo’s pelt twitched harder. “If Chenoa wants to leave, she can leave by herself. She doesn’t need us.”
    Kallik shifted on the pebbles uncertainly. It wasn’t like Toklo to ignore a bear in trouble. “Why don’t you go splash in the river before we leave? The water will cool your wounds.”
    â€œI’m fine.” Toklo looked away.
    â€œIt’ll just take a minute,” she urged. “You can wash Hakan’s stench off.”
    Growling under his breath, Toklo stalked into the river.
    Lusa looked at Kallik. “Why’s he so grumpy?” She watched Toklo as he stood stiffly in the water, waves washing his back.
    â€œI’m not sure.” Kallik felt a wave of sympathy for the young brown bear. The call of home must be getting stronger now that he was surrounded by woodland scents. Was he torn