The midday sun shone brightly overhead. The snow gleamed in patches through the treetops, while other parts of the snow-covered ground were cast in shadow. It made for a mottled pattern atop the white forest floor.


The few birds that had not flown to a warmer climate during the icy winter months sounded shrilly in the branches high overhead. Their calls echoed lightly down to the ground, alerting the figure of their presence.


“Come on, Bud. Move your ass.” A lone white werewolf stood surrounded by several trees. On his back he had a large rucksack, with a bedroll tied to the top. A large, handcrafted wooden cart sat nearby, the two large wheels as tall as his thigh. The cart was currently leaning forward, the two long hookup shafts supporting it against the ground.


The being to which the wolf was addressing was a large Clydesdale stallion. He had his head lowered to the river they had stopped next to, taking in long swallows of the cold water. His normally short, sleek fur had grown out slightly to accommodate the winter months; it was deep mahogany in color. His large, feathered feet were snow white, and his dinner plate sized hooves were black. The large draft’s main and tail were dark brown, almost black, and were cropped short.


The large beast raised his head, water dripping from his mouth. He snorted and lowered it again to drink. The white wolf scowled but let it go for now. The large horse had done his fair share of work, pulling the cart carrying their supplies in their travels.


A second horse bumped the male wolf in the shoulder. He turned, and smiled at the mare. She was a pretty appaloosa, much smaller than the giant Bud. Her hair had grown out for winter like the stallions’, but it was much different in color. She was light brown, with patches of white scattered along her rump. Darker brown spots laid over the white. Three of her legs were dark brown, ending in even darker hooves. Her front left leg was white.


“Hey, Kaya girl.” Levi murmured, stroking her soft forelock that rested on her forehead. She nickered softly, butting her head into his hand. The white wolf had been riding her on and off since the start of their journey.


Levi walked over to the large stallion, who had stopped drinking and stood next to the rushing water. As Levi reached up to grab his halter, the horse jerked out of the way and trotted a small distance away, his eyes lit up with amusement. The wolf chuckled softly before shrugging and turning his back to the horse.


Almost immediately, the sound of heavy feet walking towards him made the wolf smile. The warm breath of the horse against the back of his neck made him shiver before turning and petting the stallion’s sot, velvety nose. “Come on, you.” He grabbed hold of the halter and led him back to the cart, strapping it to the large body.


With one last look around the streambed, the white male heaved himself, bareback, onto the pretty mare. He clucked his tongue softly, and she started forward. Levi’s horses were trained in such a way that they needed no saddles or reins. The slightest touch on either side of their neck, near their withers, was a signal for them to turn that way. The longer and more persistent the touch, the more they turned. The young man felt it made for a better relationship between rider and steed; it required absolute trust in the other.


The small group made their way down through the trees, weaving in and out among them slowly. They had been at this sort of wandering for days, weeks even, trying to find a new place to call home. They had found several packs, yes. But most had turned him down on the spot because of his horses. And Levi would rather die than have to live without his horses, or even horses in general. He had been raised around them, almost raised by a horse. They were something he knew.


They stopped next to a fence. It stretched down through the trees; so far that Levi could not see an end to it. A little farther down, there was a break in the wall of wooden posts. He urged the horses forward, towards the opening. It was wide, big enough to allow him on Kaya and Bud next to him to pass through side by side.


But the scent coming from inside the gate stopped him in his tracks. It was the scents of many, many wolves, male and female. It must be another pack, he thought. The young man swung his leg over the side of the mare and hopped down to the ground. He walked forward, not taking a step into the territory.


Standing just before the gap in the fence, The white wolf let loose a howl, cupping his hands to his mouth as he did so. The sound rose, hovered in the air for a brief moment, and then fell. The silence immediately after the call was a little shocking to Levi, but he shook it off. He would have to wait it out, and what better way to wait for an undetermined time then to tend to the horses?


He turned around and walked back to the two beasts, patting Kaya as he passed her. In the kart that Bud was pulling, there was a large bag of grain. He untied the top of the bag and pulled out the two feedbags, filling them up as he did so. Once they were filled, he walked back to the mare and brought it to her muzzle, chuckling as she lipped the bag. Tying the strings behind her ears, he walked to where Bud stood waiting, his large ears perked as he waited for his. The white male tied his behind his ears as well before settling down next to the cart, his legs crossed in front of him.

Levi was prepared to wait several hours before someone answered his call and met him at the border. So, he was pleasantly surprised when the head honcho himself met him there within minutes. He stood, knowing the horses would stay put and hoping that Bud would behave himself especially with the Chief’s mare around.


He took a step forward and nodded his head, keeping it lowered for a moment before straightening, a good natured smile on his face. “Hello, sir.” He paused, noting the fine shape his animal was in. He nodded slightly, knowing that there were probably other horses here. This was the first place he had come across where horses were not only accepted, but seemed to be well loved companions.


“I ask to join your ranks here, sir. I can be of good help to you and your fellows.” He stated simply. What more was there to say, really? It would be either a yes or a no. He sincerely hoped it would be a yes, however. It appeared that he would be able to keep both his horses here; he didn’t know how likely another place like this would pop up.


He wanted to mention that he was an excellent horseman, from their care to riding to all the things in between. But he thought it would be better to say that after he got the approval to cross the threshold into the territory first. Best not to make himself look boastful.


If he could find a place where he could work around the creatures he loved, he would be truly happy. The white male didn’t think there was another job in the world he would rather have. Levi knew he would be of help here, especially if they had horses.


But if the answer was a no, then he would just have to find another horse friendly pack. He would rather live alone than have to give up his horses.

Levi hesitated, following the Chief’s gaze. It rested on the cart that was attached to the large Clydesdale stallion. “Sure, I could build them. I used to build things a lot when I was living at home.” He chuckled softly, his thoughts drifting back to where he grew up. His parents had been like him; an undying love for horses. They had a large ranch in Montana, where they bred and raised horses. “My dad and I built that one when I was a kid.”


He walked over to the cart. Bud shifted his feet anxiously, turning his head to look at Levi as he approached. “Easy boy.” The white male soothed softly, patting the large, auburn rump. He placed his hands on the side of the cart, demonstrating how sturdy it was. “It’s real solid. Good for a lot of things.”


He turned and smiled at the other male, his tail waving slowly back and forth in a friendly gesture. He glanced over at Kaya, who had been surprisingly silent throughout this ordeal. Her ears were pricked forward, towards the new horse and her rider, and her nostrils were flaring. Levi opened his mouth to soothe her, but she beat him to it. She let loose a loud whinny, and Levi chuckled as he walked to her and patted her dark neck.


“I’m sorry, I didn’t introduce myself. My name is Levi, sir. Levi Donahue.” His face creased with another friendly smile, his ears perked forward on top of his head.