A growl ripped through the air. Low. Thunderous. And close. The man stopped mid-step. From the trees behind Evelyn, the larger bear emerged—shoulders hunched, eyes locked on the man. Its growl deepened, vibrating through the forest floor.
The man’s face paled. “You brought them here?” Evelyn didn’t answer. The bear took one step forward, then another. The man stumbled back, eyes wide, suddenly far less confident. “I—I’m leaving,” he said quickly, backing away, hands up.