The bear’s muzzle lowered slightly. Its ears twitched, no longer pinned back. Mike exhaled a shaky breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. Keeping his posture neutral, he carefully edged forward. The bear allowed him to close the distance without a snarl or sign of aggression.
Mike tilted his head toward her, relief mixing with lingering dread. “I think it’s okay,” he whispered, though he wasn’t entirely sure of his own words. The bear fixed them both with a measuring stare, then turned its enormous head toward the undergrowth where the wounded man—or the man who had appeared wounded—remained.