The Alpha's Mare

3: Strengths

Jake's POV

     I'm so confused! I mean I've heard the elders talk about these feelings. With my rank I have to know if they are just feelings or if they are the feelings. I mean I've only worked for the Alan's for maybe a week now and I've met their daughter and I mean who wouldn't feel something toward her. She's an amazing horsewoman, beautiful and funny and her eyes... Wow, her eyes. Now I'm just being creepy. I've got to clear my head. Since I just finished feeding the horses I might as well go for a run. Running is how I've always cleared my head, it's just what I've always done. Next thing I knew I was headed for the trees and my head is in the clouds.

Elly's POV ---{the next morning}---

     I still can't get that shadowy figure out of my head. It or they invaded my dreams and all I do is wonder who or what it is.

     "Elly! Breakfast is ready!" My mom yelled from downstairs. 

     "Ok, I'll be down in a minute!" I said jumping out of bed and running into my bathroom. I normally take showers at night but after the events of yesterday I was pretty tired enough of that. I went to grab my speakers because who doesn't like singing in the shower, when I saw a movement outside the window. I couldn't help walking over to the window and studying the horizon for what might have caught my eye, but all I see is Jake leading the horses out of the barn and to the different pastures. The weird thing is that my inner horse wants me to go to him. I guess I spaced out because I suddenly snapped back to reality to see Jake staring at my window so I quickly pulled my curtains closed and headed to shower.

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     I guess I ate my breakfast quicker than normal because I got a lot of weird looks from my parents. It doesn't really matter to me though, all I can think about are my plans for today. I want to take Dakota out and ask her more about horse-shifters. I know a good spot to go that is large enough to run around in and it's surrounded by trees. I decided that i've wasted enough of the day and I might as well get going. I got up from the table and put my dishes in the sink giving them a rinse off. 

      "Is it ok if I eat lunch with Dakota today?" I asked my parents.

     "Go ahead sweetie. Don't forget to pack some treats for Dakota from us." My dad replied causing my mom to laugh. I packed a small lunch and headed out to the barn after saying goodbye to my mom and dad.

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     I was walking down the rows of stalls approaching Dakota's stall. I passed the section of stalls that hold all of the yearlings. I recognize some of them from my rides in the pasture. They all seem to like 'Koda.

    'Hey you smell like a horse'  I heard a small voice say. I turned to the yearling named Winston giving him a pat on the nose. I guess he's right, If only he knew how weird it still is for me to understand them. I continued on walking and finally got to her stall. I grabbed my neck rope and walked into her stall holding my hand out in a greeting. I don't like to use a bridle or a saddle if I can. It just ruins your connection with your horse. 

     "Hey girl, how are you today?" I asked while patting her neck.

     ' I'd be a lot better if the feed boy would get me my food quicker.'  she answered seeming annoyed.

     "Well how about we go for a run and forget all about that," I replied suppressing a laugh, "Maybe you could also answer some questions for me too."

     'Sure thing! You know where we're going?' 

     "Yep." I responded while slipping the neck rope over her head and opening the door. After we got out of the stall I vaulted myself onto her back and we started walking out of the barn and toward the pasture.

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     As we got to the small glade I hopped off and I shifted into my horse form. One things for sure Dakota was right about shifting, today it's painless and it took me about a minute. 

     'Ok so tell me everything you know about horse-shifters.' I stated.

    'Horse-shifters are people that can turn, a.k.a. shift, into horses but you know that already.' she replied, 'As you can tell your clothes shift with you, thank goodness, now onto things you don't know. According to the old stories there used to be many more than just you but they were all rounded up and sold into captivity. Eventually they were never heard from, until you. Now onto the cooler part, in the stories the shifters had special abilities that made them stand out or desirable to people. For one they are taller than regular horses and they can easily outrun a thoroughbred, basically speaking, a horse-shifters human and horse abilities combine and become more powerful. They also have an inner horse, which is basically the horse in their mind, heart and soul. Most shifters were said to be controlled by their inner horse but the lucky few that their human side had control often named their inner horse. That's really all I know about horse-shifters, I hope it helped.'

     'Of course it helped! Now you said that my abilities are more than that of a regular horse? Why don't we test it out.'  I joked while taking around my surroundings. I took a deep breath with my large lungs and I leaped forward into a flat out run. I felt my heart soar as my hooves pierced the soft earth. I let out a whinny of excitement and I turned back to Dakota slowing to a stop right in front of her. 'This is awesome!' I said taking off again.

     After what felt like mere minutes I looked up at the sun to check the time and noticed it was around 6:00. I shifted back to my human form and walked over and mounted. 'We might as well head back to the barn.' I mentioned to Dakota.

    'As long as I get fed i'll be ok with anything.' she replied as we turned and started our way back to the barn.

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Vale mi dudes! Et beatus lectio!

(good-bye my dudes! and happy reading!)