Luckily it was not long before Wayne caught a whiff of the missing mare. He wheeled Buckeye about slowly and followed the meandering scent trail through the territory. Even as it got fresher, he found himself swearing he would give an earful to whoever had forgotten to shut the gate completely. What he had hoped would be a simple visit to make sure the remaining horses and wolves didn't need anything had turned into a big problem he had to deal with. His irritation was only amplified by what came foremost: his concern for the pregnant mare.
When he did reach her, the young cowboy was startled to hear a defensive shout. A short redheaded wolf brandishing a stiletto faced off against the paint horse, which flattened her ears at his yelling. She seemed undecided, giving him a wide berth as she circled, while the stranger seemed violent--underneath his rider Buckeye quickened his pace, as if to defend his herdmate against the canine. Wayne growled a command for the bay to stop and dropped with ease from the saddle.
What d'ya think you're doin' with that thing? the off-yellow wolfdog demanded, throwing a glare at the other luperci and his weapon. The fiery-hued wolf at least smelled of Casa di Cavalieri, which convinced Wayne not to pummel him; he wouldn't have hesitated if this were a trespasser bothering his horses. Even after he asked the question, though, he seemed to ignore the fact that the short wolf existed. He crossed quickly to Tupelo, who shied until he offered her a handful of grain he had snatched before leaving the pen. As she nibbled from his palm, he tied a lead rope to her and pulled her over to Buckeye.
Once he was satisfied that the mare wasn't injured, the large man turned back to the other Cavalierite, scowling and crossing his arms. Well? he growled, reverting easily into that gruff persona that defined him to strangers.
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