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

water.
    Once more, Cleo followed him with her light. He swam up towards where they had seen the scrap of fabric vanish. Once he had reached the wall, he took a deep breath. Then he dived down.
    Cleo felt her heart skip a beat. Her hand that held the light trembled; she tightened her fingers until the keys dug into her skin.
    Let him be safe, she begged silently.
    Anxiously, her eyes scanned the surface. The ripples Steven had caused had nearly quieted again. The cave was silent. She imagined she could feel the weight of the rocks above them.
    How much worse would it feel for Steven, who was all alone in the darkness without air to breath?
    The seconds ticked by. She wished that she would have thought to start counting. How long had Steven been gone?
    It felt like minutes. Her heart was fluttering in her chest.
    Please come back, she prayed. For a moment, she thought about jumping in after him.
    She used to be a good swimmer. As a child, she'd spent entire summers in the lake by her grandparents' house. Once, she and Walter had gone on a trip to Florida, and she'd braved the waves and the warm saltwater. But the warm sea near a beach resort was nothing compared to a cold underground cave, with water flowing through secret tunnels.
    She swallowed, a hand rising to her shirt. What if he was hurt down there?
    Then, sputtering, Steven resurfaced. Droplets of cold water hit her as he shook his head.
    "There's an opening under water," he gasped. "It's not a long dive. I went through and there was air on the other side!"
    "We’ll have to dive then?" She knew she sounded hesitant—she still hadn't quite shaken the terror of being lost in the darkness. The only thing that would make this worse would be to get stuck underwater without light.
    Then she gave her light a skeptical look. Were these things made to work in the water? She couldn't see any opening where water could enter the tiny device, and it had survived their first fall into the lake, but still…
    "We've got little choice," Steven said softly. "I don't like this either, but you only have to dive for a few seconds. There's no real current. The water's moving very slowly, but it is moving, and we should try to find the place where it leaves these caves."
    "I can't think of any waterfalls in the area," Cleo muttered when she handed Steven his clothes. She decided to keep her own clothes on; they fit well enough that she should be able to dive in them.
    "I've been thinking the same." Steven frowned a little. "I never thought to explore those creeks back to their source when I tracked the jaguar. I didn't know the water was the key to his secret lair!"
    "I've never heard any rumors of secret caves. I think we might be the first to explore this place." Then she snorted. "Well, I guess your jaguar wins that honor."
    "Or your Grandma,” Steven pointed out. “I wonder..."
    "No way," Cleo said firmly. "Grandma wouldn't crawl through dark tunnels. Grandpa on the other hand..."
    Is that the secret? Did they discover something down here and left it for me?
    Cleo shook her head to get rid of those thoughts. "Anyway, we have other things to focus on. Like leaving."
    Steven pulled her close once she slid into the water. Even though the lake was cold, his skin was warm against hers. His lips brushed her own. She was still holding the small light above the water as she followed him to the wall of stone. She could feel it around her feet now, the slow pull of a current as water flowed through the opening below.
    "Don't worry," Steven said again, his eyes intent. "Hold on to my hand. I won't let go, I promise. And there'll be air after a few seconds."
    Cleo swallowed and nodded. Once again she brushed her lips against his. Then she switched off the light and pushed it back deep into her pocket. The wet fabric clung to her skin, and she prayed that she wouldn't lose it.
    "OK. Ready?" Steven asked.
    Cleo took a deep breath. Her hand found Steven's. His grasp was strong and