Chapter 22. Lustful Stare

I held Brinley to my chest and walked toward the cave where we would stay the night. She was wrapped up in a fur blanket to protect her from the elements. Had she been in her wolf form, the frigid temperature would not have affected her, but she would be unable to shift until she healed.

After several minutes, we reached the waterfall. Brinley's closed eyes fluttered when I shifted her weight into one of my arms so I could use my other to climb up jagged rocks. She tucked her head close to my chest to avoid the condensation coming from the falls.

Fifteen feet up, we reached a small ledge. Pushing the thick foliage that covered the entrance out of the way, I slipped through.

Brinley lifted her head and looked around. Carved inside the mountain, the cave was about ten feet wide by eight feet deep and just tall enough to accommodate my height. Solid rock on all sides except for an eight-foot expanse where the waterfall rained down, hiding our location.

"Where ar