Page 52 of Family: Posy 4

She then went on to explain that most horses did not react well to shifters of any kind, and wolves especially set them off.

"Luckily, Henry doesn't care what you are," she laughed. "He likes everyone."

"Good thing, and good thing he's so big," Ash said, petting Henry's face. "I wouldn't want to hurt him because I'm so heavy."

"How muchdoyou weigh, alpha?"

"About 325."

My eyebrows shot up. All of my mates were unnecessarily tall compared to me, but I didn't realize they weighed three times as much as me, too.

"That's not a problem for Henry," Angel assured him.

"Will his big boots fit in those holder things?" I giggled. "What sizedoyou wear, anyway?"

"Seventeen," he shrugged.

"What size shoes do I wear?" I tilted my head as I stared up at him. He did most of my shopping for me now, and Peri and Queen Lilah had helped me when we went the first time.

"Sixes, cupcake. Tiny little princess feet," he smirked.

"They're called stirrups, luna, and yes, they will," Angel told me. "Now, are you ready to meetyourhorse?"

"Yes, yes, yes!" Clasping my hands under my chin, I tried to keep myself from jumping up and down.

"I think every little kid dreams of riding a horse at some point," Ash said. "I've never been on one, though. I assume you haven't, either?"

"Nope, and I'm happy we're sharing a first!"

Then Angel came out of the barn leading an adorable light brown horse with a pale mane and tail and a white stripe down its face.

"Is that apony?" Ash giggled.

"This is Edgar." Angel walked him over to me, and I saw he was only as tall as I was. "He's a Haflinger, which is a horse, not a pony. He's an old guy, but still game for a nice ride."

As I marveled at his cuteness, Edgar very gently laid his chin on my shoulder, and I stroked the thick tuft of blond hair that fell down the center of his face. Brushing it to the side, I stared into his big, gentle eyes and I knew I could trust this horse.

"He looks like he's wearing a wig," Ash chuckled.

"He's darling!" I grinned and laid my cheek against Edgar's.

"I think he's halfway in love with you already, luna," Angel joked. "Edgar has always been a ladies' man, so it's no surprise."

"Now, listen here, Edgar," Ash pretended to frown, "this little lady is taken."

As if he could understand Ash's words, Edgar lifted his head and stared at him, then made a funny sound with his lips, and I giggled.

Angel went back into the barn and brought out her horse, who she said was named George. He was pale gray with white spots all over and a white mane and tail. He looked like something out of a fairy tale, and I didn't think the name George suited him at all. It should have been something much more elegant.

Angel showed us how to get onto the horses, and I managed to half-pull, half-swing myself into the saddle. Ash and Angel got my boots settled into the stirrups, which Angel adjusted to fit my short legs, and I grabbed the knob thing at the front of my saddle to make sure I didn't fall off.

After we were all mounted, Angel showed us how to hold the reins and what to do with them, and reviewed the verbal commands the horses knew. She also explained how to use our knees to nudge them into motion.

This was the part I had been dreading. I was scared that, when I told the horse to go, it would take off and I wouldn't be able to stop it.

After meeting Edgar, though, I knew that wouldn't happen. For one thing, he was very calm. For another, he seemed content to follow George.

"Edgar and George are a bonded pair," Angel told me when I commented on Edgar following after George. "They've been together nearly all of their lives."

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