The young white wolf had awoken bright and early today. The sky was a dull grayish blue, almost completely hidden by thick clouds, heavy with snow. The gray puffs threatened to unleash their burden with a fresh blanket of snow. But for now, the air was clear of the falling flurries.
Levi walked from where he slept, his rucksack slung over his shoulders. He was headed to the stables, intending on going for a long ride on Bud today. The big stallion had not been receiving enough attention, and a good, hard ride was just what the brute needed. Levi headed to the big horse’s stall, only to find the light brown horse peering out over the stall door at him, his ears pricked.
The young male stroked the velvety nose softly. “Morning, big boy.” He filled up the stallion’s feed bucket with grain before heading to Kaya’s stall next door. She too was watching him, ears alert as he filled her bucket too. The mare lipped his hands as he dipped the grain in, and he chuckled softly, the noise rumbling from his throat.
When the grain had been finished, he picked up a light halter in case Bud decided to be stubborn, and slipped it into the bag on his back. Next, he unlocked the stall door and held it open. In one hand, he held a small apple. He knew the big stallion would not run from him now, not when he had such a tasty treat in store for him. He obediently stood in the aisle of the barn, waiting patiently as Levi hitched up the stall once more and said good-bye to Kaya.
The white male strode from the barn, wiggling the apple in his hand as he went. He knew the horse would follow him. He had two more apples just like it in the rucksack, for later. He stopped a little ways away from the barn, turning around to see the big stallion walking behind him, his eyes on the apple in his hand. Levi rolled his eyes. Always thinking with your stomach, aren’t ya Bud.
He held out his hand, palm up, with the little apple resting flat on his hand. The big horse lipped his hand, picking up the apple and chewing it. Juice and bits of apple dropped from his mouth as he chewed. Chuckling, the young man walked around and climbed up onto the horse’s back, settling himself comfortably and grabbing a handful of his dark mane. He waited for the horse to finish his treat before asking him to walk.
The sun was barely visible through the clouds, casting a faded light into the forest. The horse and his rider walked steadily through the trees, the soft quiet of the forest oddly soothing. A few birds that had not gone to a warmer climate for the cold winter months made themselves known, announcing themselves to the two beings below.
The big hooves made soft, crunching noises in the snow as they went, headed for the break in the fence that was the territory line. They made it soon, and the two were off, Levi intent on going on a little adventure he so dearly loved.
The pair found themselves in an entirely new place by the time the sun was in the middle of the sky. Some of the clouds had drifted away, leaving the light blue visible. The patchwork of the sky was an interesting site, and Levi found himself looking up as they rode along. Off to the side, Levi noticed a small stream, babbling in its own musical language. It ran into a think, dense forest, the trees casting a dark shadow on the earth beneath it.
Levi asked the big stallion to veer off, into the trees. The cool, damp shadows were a new experience form the clear air behind him. It smelled damp here; he guessed it was because the trees overhead gave little leeway for sunlight to break through.
The horse and wolf rode for a whole longer through the dark trees, until they came to a bigger expanse of what he guessed to be the same stream they had seen earlier. He asked Bud to stop, and he slid off the sleek, muscular body and walked to the slow moving water, the horse clodding closely behind him. The white wolf knelt down and dipped his hands into the water, bringing the cupful up to his mouth and lapping it up. The large horse did the same, lowering his nose and dipping it into the water, taking long draws of the cool liquid.
This was a good a place as any to take a break from their ride. He pulled his rucksack closer, pulling out the book he had brought with him. It was a new once, one he had not yet had a chance to read, what with his getting settling in his new home. It also happened to be his last book; he would have to see if there was a library around here. The idea seemed unlikely, but no harm in finding out. He might find himself to be pleasantly surprised.
A loud splash caused him to raise his head, his eyes wide and ears alert. He laughed out loud as he saw what the source of the noise was; Bud had jumped into the stream and had laid down in it, rolling onto his back and kicking out his legs. Despite it bing the middle of winter, he knew the horse had gotten a lot of exercise this morning. The stream was too small for the large stallion; his front half was resting on the bank, but he looked utterly blissful.
The wet beast rose, shook out his slick coat, and walked to a patch of damp grass nearby, lowering his head to the sweet grass. Certain that he would stick around, Levi lowered his gaze once more to his book, sighing as he settled down against a tree trunk.
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