Chapter 46. Hold On

He was almost as tall as I was when I stood, but far more imposing: a magnificent beast of ebony and charcoal gray, his coat shining in the waterfall’s mist. He thrust his tongue out to lick my face, his tail wagging in slow arcs.

“Ew! Stop that!” I giggled, brushing my cheek with the sleeve of my shirt. The wolf barely registered my discomfort; his big tongue came out again to swipe at my cheek, and this time I dodged.

“Missed me,” I teased, my laughter echoing against the rocks.

Emboldened by the game, I squared my shoulders and planted my hands on my hips. “You need to be more careful,” I chided in mock reproach.

His amber eyes gleamed with mischief. Before I could register his intent, the big wolf nudged me hard with his head, sending me stumbling. I flailed for balance, but he was lightning-fast. With one powerful swipe of his paw, he swept my legs out from under me.

“Oh!” I cried as I tipped backward, fully expecting to land on the cold groun