The Longest Day Read Online Free

undergrowth was lusher there. “Where there are good leaves, there’s good prey.”
    â€œI promised Shesh I’d catch up to him,” Toklo protested.
    â€œYou don’t want to hunt with him,” Hattack snorted. “He’s so old, he’ll have you doing all the running.”
    I don’t mind. Before Toklo could argue, Hattack headed between the trees.
    â€œCome on,” the other grizzly called. “Unless you’re scared that you’re not good enough to hunt with me?”
    Toklo lifted his chin, annoyed with Hattack for challenging him, and annoyed with himself for being so easily goaded. Reluctantly he followed the other brown bear through the forest.
    â€œLook!” Toklo saw a pale pelt race along the ground. “A weasel.”
    â€œA weasel!” Hattack snorted. “We’re taking something better than that back to the shore.” He marched on, ignoring the rustle of leaves as the weasel disappeared into a patch of ferns.
    Toklo followed, slowing expectantly each time he heard the call of a grouse or scented a raccoon. But Hattack seemeddetermined to lead them deeper and deeper into the forest, until the glimmer of the lake disappeared behind them and the pines closed around them. Toklo slowed, his paws growing heavy with apprehension. Was Hattack even looking for prey? Why was he leading them so far away from the others?
    â€œHattack,” he ventured. “We should head back. I don’t think there’ll be much deer here.” He could see spruce and birch among the trees ahead. “Besides, I think we’re getting near the black bears’ territory.”
    Hattack turned, his gaze suddenly malicious.
    Toklo tensed. Had Hattack led him here to fight? “We’re supposed to be hunting.” He held his ground as Hattack walked slowly toward him. Hattack had grown since the last gathering. Muscles bulked out his flanks, and the scars on his nose showed that he was used to fighting. “Come on,” Toklo reasoned. “Let’s head back and find a deer.”
    Hattack narrowed his eyes. “You think you can just come here and proclaim yourself leader of the bears?” Anger rumbled in his growl.
    â€œI haven’t!” Toklo shifted his paws, flustered. “That’s not why I came!”
    But Hattack wasn’t listening. “Reminding everyone that it was you who swam to the island and caught the salmon.” He stopped a muzzle-length from Toklo. His eyes bored into Toklo’s, and his meaty breath bathed Toklo’s snout.
    Toklo fought back anger. “I came to honor the spirits, and meet with brown bears, just like you did.”
    â€œReally? Is that because you’re so devoted to your ancestors?”Hattack sneered. “And so loyal to your own kind?”
    â€œOf course I am!” Toklo snapped.
    â€œSo why have you been living with black bears and white bears?” Hattack pushed past him, striding away through the undergrowth. He called over his shoulder, “Who wants a leader who prefers bears who live on ice or hide up trees? I’ll make sure everyone knows who you really are.”
    Toklo stared after him. His paws were shaking, half with shock, half with rage. He’d only been here for one day and he’d already made an enemy! Why did Hattack assume he wanted to be leader of the brown bears? That wasn’t his plan! That wasn’t his plan at all !

CHAPTER THREE
Kallik
    Kallik followed Yakone along the ridge above the water, feeling the sunshine burn into her pelt. She couldn’t wait to get to the lake and drench herself.
    Yakone paused and looked over his shoulder. “Are you okay?”
    â€œYes.” Kallik realized she’d been lagging behind. She trotted to catch up. “I’m fine.”
    Yakone tipped his head to one side. “Are you worried about leaving Toklo and Lusa?”
    Kallik blinked. “Will we ever see them