Free Hunter Bear: BBW Bear Shifter Paranormal Romance (Enforcer Bears Book 2) by Zoe Chant

started.
    "Come, we'll have to climb over these first!" he said, excitement starting to take hold of him as well.
    He took Cleo's hand. Carefully, they made it past the slippery rocks, holding on to each other as they searched for footholds.
    Once they stood on the ledge, it became easier. The rock was smooth and wet from the spray of the waterfall, but it was easy enough to inch forward with one hand on the wall to keep their balance.
    Steven hesitated when he reached the part where the water of the creek came down pouring from above.
    "We'll get wet!" he shouted over the noise the water made. "But there's definitely an opening. I can see it!"
    "Let's do this!" Cleo shouted back, squeezing his shoulder in excitement. "Pirates aren't afraid of some water!"
    Steven laughed in reply. "Aye aye, captain!"
    He took a deep breath and then went forward, quickly stepping through the rushing water. For a moment, he couldn't see. The roar of the water surrounded him, and the cold of it came as a shock.
    But then he was through, and when he opened his eyes, gasping, he saw that there was indeed a small cave opening up before him.
    Then Cleo bumped into him. "C-cold!" she sputtered and shook her hair.
    Drops of water hit him. He laughed and wrapped his arms around her waist to stabilize her.
    "We made it! This has got to be where your Grandma's map meant to lead us!"
    "A real, secret cave behind a waterfall!" Cleo sounded awed. She let go of Steven to look around. "I wish she'd told us about this place when we were children!"
    "Maybe she only found it later," Steven pointed out. "Or she was afraid you'd get lost or injured."
    "You're probably right.” Cleo's eyes were gleaming as she turned to take it all in. “God, this is amazing! I would have tried to sneak away to explore this place all the time!"
    The light was dimmed by the curtain of water that came pouring down noisily over the cave's opening. The back of the cave was hidden in darkness, and Cleo now took a step towards the gloom.
    "I'm so glad I brought my flashlight," she muttered as she reached into her pocket.
    Steven followed her deeper into the small cave. He rested one hand on her back as he studied the walls around them. They still didn't know what they were looking for.
    Maybe there was no real treasure. Maybe there wouldn't even be an old box holding a favorite, old childhood toy...
    Steven frowned as Cleo used her flashlight to shine at the wall. It was not enough to illuminate the whole cave, but the focused cone of light was enough for them to explore the stony walls.
    "I can't believe we've found a secret cave," Cleo whispered again.
    Steven dropped his hand a little, curving it around her waist to hold her close.
    He felt a sudden prickling between his shoulder blades. The hair on his skin rose, as if the temperature in the cave had suddenly dropped. His instincts switched to sudden alertness—and that heartbeat of unease was all the warning he got before a large shadow came roaring at them from out of nowhere.
    Cleo let go of him and screamed.
    She took a step back as Steven spread his arms and jumped in front of her, already feeling the rush of the change coming over him as his body prepared to shift—
    And then Cleo toppled and fell.
    Steven had no time to think. He acted on pure instinct, throwing himself forward to grab at her hand. The form of the bear was abandoned. He needed his hands to clutch at her.
    There was darkness yawning before them. Below them, a tunnel had suddenly opened. Cleo was dangling in it, held up only by his strength—and then the jaguar's breath came hot against his neck. Claws bit deep into the skin of his leg, and Steven felt himself lose his balance.
    With a shout of pain, he skidded forward and then dropped into the tunnel as well.
    Cleo cried out once more. Somewhere above them, there was a furious roar—and then they fell.
    After a long moment, they hit stone. The impact made him groan.
    Cleo was still clutching at his hand,