When morning finally broke, a pale light spread across the ice, casting long shadows over the frozen landscape. Tanner and Iqaluk prepared to leave the weather station, the polar bear cub still nestled safely in Tanner’s jacket.
As they reached the edge, they saw them—Mallory and Jacob, standing with the rescue team in their boats. Mallory was the first to spot them, and he raised his arm in a triumphant wave. “Tanner!” he called out, his voice carrying across the ice.