Running Wild

Chp 5

My eyes widened and I whipped my head around, the tunnel vision I'd had clearing up and allowing me to spot the beast, his fangs buried deep in my hind leg. I squealed in fear and kicked out my other leg, landing a sharp blow to its throat and succeeding in freeing my leg.
Blood oozed from the wound, but I didn't let that stop me. I limped forward, keeping Josie in front of me the whole time as we made our way to the break in the treelike as fast as we could.

The beast let out a roar as Jace jumped on its back, gripping his fur tightly to stay on while Taytum jogged over to us, despite us very clearly trying to escape.
"Hey hey hey, it's ok." She cooed,  reaching out to stroke my neck.
"I just want to check the wound ok?" I wanted to shy away, to leave and forget this ever happened. I'd been taken from my home already, I didn't need to add to my list of traumatic events.

"Easy..." she whispered, her eyes falling on my bleeding leg.
"Luna!" One of the other humans called, running over.
"Calm down, I'm fine. We need to get these two back to the farm." Taytum instructed, giving the guy a glare.
"Alpha Jace dealt with the rogue, he said we had to bring you back to the truck." He muttered.
"I can't just leave these foals. The filly lost her dam so she has nothing to eat and the colt is injured. If we just leave them here they'll die."

"The wild herd is close by, the filly will be able to find a mare who will feed her and the colt will be fine, all he has to do is make sure it's clean." He shrugged, taking Taytums hand.
"Yes, because a yearling horse is totally going to know how to make sure his werewolf bite is clean on a daily basis in a wild herd. Totally."
The guy sighed and nodded to one of the other men in the group, who walked over to Josie and I.
"Sorry Luna."

The man held Taytum back while the second man snarled and stalked towards us, a hungry look in his eyes.
"Calvin I swear-!" Taytum hissed, struggling in the man's hold.
Josie shrieked in fear and took off with me trailing slowly behind. My leg burned as a reminder of the attack, something I hoped wouldn't repeat itself, while I hobbled along behind the filly, the sight of a large, open grass field with a wide, shining lake spurring me on.

Taytums threats rung in my ears, slowly growing softer the farther I got. I paused as I noticed a herd of horses grazing peacefully by the lake, as if nothing were wrong in the world. Josie ran over immediately, seeking the comfort only a dam could provide, causing heads to turn in curiosity.
I made my way over cautiously, anxiety pooling in my gut as the older horses studied the both of us. I trotted uneasily after Josie, ignoring the -now surprisingly small- pain in my leg until a large stallion stepped in front of us.

"What are you doing here alone? Where is your dam?" He questioned, studying my trembling form.
"I-I'm not sure.... I don't remember a lot before I ended up at an auction house...." I replied, trying my best to keep my eyes away from the curious gazes of the other horses.
"Howd you get here?"
"Some humans brought a trailer full of horses -myself included- and we were walking this way when this giant furry thing jumped out of the woods and attacked us." I replied honestly, turning my gaze to my leg, only to find the wound had sealed itself and the blood was drying.

The stallion watched me for a moment, his gaze calculating, until finally he turned his gaze to the onlookers and snorted to call their attention to him.
"We will be taking in these foals, as well as any other horses that stumble on our herd with no ill intentions. We will work together to ensure everyone's safety and comfort." His sleek chestnut coat seemed to shine in the sunshine as he addressed his herd, his commanding neigh reaching the ears of the entire group.
"My mate is with foal, due any day now, she may be able to feed your friend. What are your names?"

I pulled my attention back to the conversation and sighed.
"Her name is Josie, but like I said I don't remember much. I heard a voice say my name was Caliban, but I'm not sure if it was really talking to me." I answered softly, pawing at the dirt beneath my hoof.
"Do you know what 'Caliban' means?" I shook my head, earning an amused nicker.
"It means black. I think it suits you." He nodded to himself, as if deciding something, and gestured for Josie and I to follow him with his tail as he began make his way closer to the lake.

"Nikita." The stallion greeted as he stopped in front of a very pregnant strawberry roan mare and nuzzles her shoulder.
"Ry- who do we have here?" The mare -Nikita I guess- cut herself off as soon as she noticed Josie and I, her big, honey brown eyes sparkling with adoration.
"Caliban and Josie. I don't know the whole story, but what I do know is Josie's going to need a foster dam. Could you handle that and caring for our foal?" He inquired, his tone gentle to not put pressure on his 'mate'.

"Of course! They're so cute, it only makes me more excited." She stepped closer and exchanged breaths with Josie, the tiny filly immediately becoming attached.
"Josie dam was attacked by a wolf by the sounds of it. I'm not sure about Caliban."
"Poor babies." Nikita whinnied softly, stepping closer to me and nuzzling my face, trying to console me.
"I don't remember what happened for me to have been separated by my dam, all I remember is waking up in a trailer and being at an auction house." I explained, basking in the warmth and comfort her body provided.