I hear hooves approaching and turn my head to see Thunder making his way across the field toward me. He's neighing, the sound carrying across the open space, and I sit up as he gets closer. I don't know what he wants, his big head bobbing as he reaches me.
Moo-Shu immediately responds to Thunder's arrival, abandoning his grazing to come over and plop down beside me. He's surprisingly graceful for a cow, settling his bulk so that half his body ends up in my lap. The weight is considerable but not uncomfortable, his warmth seeping through my dress.
Then Thunder decides he wants attention too. The massive horse lowers himself to the ground on my other side, a process that looks awkward but he manages it with surprising ease. He nudges me with his nose, pushing insistently until I reach up to stroke his face.
I start laughing at the absurdity of it all. Here I am, sitting in a field with a highland cow half in my lap and a horse demanding pets on the other side. Two days ago I was locked in an institution that told me I'd never be able to function in the outside world, and now I'm surrounded by animals who've chosen to keep me company.
"You two are ridiculous," I tell them, scratching Thunder's nose while my other hand strokes Moo-Shu's fuzzy head. "Do you know that? Absolutely ridiculous."
Thunder huffs like he's offended by the accusation. Moo-Shu just shifts to get more comfortable in my lap, completely unconcerned with being called ridiculous.
"Your Alphas are pretty great," I continue, talking to them like they can understand every word. Maybe they can, in their own way. "Dustin is so sweet, always making sure I'm comfortable and happy. And Kade pretends to be all stern and serious but he braided my hair yesterday and it was the gentlest thing anyone's ever done for me."
Moo-Shu's ear flicks toward me, like he's listening intently. Thunder's eyes are half-closed, clearly enjoying the attention.
"I'm blessed," I say softly, the truth of it hitting me. "I know this is all temporary, that Harmony House will come check on me eventually. But right now, in this moment, I'm blessed. I have two Alphas who care about me, a home that feels safe, and friends like you two."
Thunder nudges me again, more gently this time. I lean my head against his warm neck, breathing in the scent of horse and hay and open air. Everything feels perfect, peaceful, like nothing could possibly disrupt this moment.
Until thunder cracks overhead.
The sound jolts through me, making me jump. Dark clouds start rolling in when I look up, the sunny afternoon disappearing behind an approaching storm. The wind suddenly picks up, whipping my dress around my legs.
A sigh falls from my lips, knowing the peaceful moment is over. "Come on, we need to get you back to the stable before the rain hits."
Thunder seems reluctant to move but eventually heaves himself to his feet. I stand as well, brushing grass off my dress and taking Thunder's reins while Moo-Shu follows us as we make our way back toward the barn, his hooves clicking against the ground.
The walk back takes longer than I expect, Thunder moving at his own unhurried pace like he doesn't notice the storm clouds gathering overhead. By the time we reach the stable, fat drops of rain have started to fall, splattering against my shoulders and making me quicken my steps. I lead Thunder inside, grateful for the shelter and the familiar smell of hay and horses.
I know how to put him up now. Dustin taught me over the past two days, showing me how to remove the bridle and where to hang it, how to make sure Thunder has fresh water and feed. But there's a Beta ranch hand there, a young guy whose name I think is Malcolm or maybe Martin. He bows his head respectfully when he sees me.
"I can take Thunder, ma'am and get him settled before the storm really hits."
I hesitate, not wanting to give up the task, but another crack of thunder decides for me. "Thank you."
I hand over the reins and turn to leave. Moo-Shu is still following close behind, but something's changed. The cow seems agitated by the approaching storm, his movements jerkier than normal. He lets out a distressed moo that makes my chest ache with sympathy.
"It's okay," I tell him, stroking his head. "It's just a storm. It'll pass."
Moo-Shu doesn't seem convinced. He presses closer to me, nearly tripping me as we walk toward the house. The rain is coming down harder now, soaking through my dress as I pick up the pace, jogging toward the back door with Moo-Shu keeping pace beside me.
We burst through the door, dripping wet. I grab a towel from the laundry room and start drying Moo-Shu off, his fur sticking up in odd directions as I work. He's still letting out those distressed moos, clearly unhappy about the storm raging outside.
Thunder cracks again, this one so loud it shakes the windows and Moo-Shu lets out a particularly distressed sound. I make a decision that's probably incredibly stupid but feels right in the moment.
"Come on," I tell him, tugging gently on his makeshift collar. "You can stay in the nest until the storm passes."
Moo-Shu follows me willingly enough through the house. He's on the smaller side for a highland calf, compact enough to maneuver through doorways without too much trouble. I reason that he's scared, that the storm is genuinely frightening him, and that a good Omega takes care of those who need comfort. That's what this feeling in my chest is telling me to do.
We make it down the hallway, Kade and Dustin talking in the office. Perfect. If I can just get Moo-Shu into the bedroom and settled in the nest, they won't even need to know until after the storm passes.
I push open the bedroom door and start coaxing Moo-Shu inside. He's hesitant now, his hooves clicking against the hardwood as he takes tentative steps into the room almost as if he knows he shouldn’t be in here just as much as I do.
"Come on," I encourage, tugging on his collar. "Just a little further."
Moo-Shu takes another step, then another. We're almost there, almost to the nest.
"Solana, what are you..." Kade's voice cuts off abruptly.
