The Bear tribe have always ruled the Nation of Ruxdor, though with no male heirs to continue the line, Klawdia, the chieftain's daughter and only child, must compete in a bestial rite of passage against four other tribal boys to retain her family's sovereignty.

The competition is set amongst the perils of the Death Peak Mountains and pits representatives from Ruxdor's five strongest tribes--Bear, Lion, Wolf, Snake, and Hawgrald--against each other in a race to slaughter their tribe's animal and return home. Each competitor is overseen by an opposing tribe's elder to discourage dishonesty.

Klawdia is seriously injured by the bear she must slaughter, and a rival both saves her life and sabotages her chance of victory by cheating. When elders start disappearing from the competition, Klawdia must draw on the last of her strength to expose the truth and save her family's lineage.