[HARLOW FREYA ALENKO]

July 2023 • outfit + Alpha • RILEY JAMES RYAN

Harlow Alenko had taken her sports horse, Alpha, out on a hack this morning to enjoy the cool weather before the high sun really hit. Classes with John were off for the week to give everyone a rest after a show, which meant only 'fun' riding was allowed. She hadn't been able to convince her boyfriend, Ty Webber, to go with her simply because even though the students of the famous John Ryan had off, it did not mean that his grooms had off. The young woman relented with that logic, making him promise that once the work day was done, he was going to be all hers and only hers. Harlow's mind was truly fully of the possibilities that she wanted to do tonight between a quick trip to Willow Bridge for their first rated Michelin Star restaurant to showing off her latest purchase from Victoria's Secret, and then, her phone buzzed.

Well, that's odd. She dug into her the side pocket of her riding tights to fish out her iPhone, wondering who could remotely be texting her. A frown hit her face when she saw the name on the screen: her sister. Now that was even weirder, given that they only texted each other in dire situations or to give each other extreme catty comments on how each other could improve their form. Bottom line, Harlow and her sister never talked, and when they did, it was hardly civil. Swiping the phone open, Harlow immediately gasped and halted Alpha to stare at the text: I caught Ty talking with a new girl. And before she could even angrily accuse her sister of being a bitch for no reason, three follow up texts came up with candidly secret photos of just that: Ty talking with a Brunette. A hot brunette girl. So much for fucking working hard today.

"Change of plans, Alpha, we're going back," and she swung her sports horse around fast, and they made a beeline back towards the stables. Ty wouldn't flirt with another girl. He loved her. Her sister was being stupid. But what about this other girl? Harlow didn't know her. Harlow had never even seen her at the barn before. Who the fuck was she? What if she had been flirting with him. What if she was planning on moving in on him? With each canter stride bringing her closer and closer, Harlow Alenko's insecurities about this mysterious girl grew along with her paranoia about someone moving in on her boyfriend. They were back at the stables now, with Harlow swinging off of Alpha. She knew she had to cool him off, but her mind wasn't thinking straight. She was in the obsession stage now, and she wanted answers. She had to find Ty, or blow up his phone. Maybe both.

Quickly, she loosen Alpha's girth now, and ran the the stirrups up to the saddle. Walking him to the stall would surely cool him off, and a nice groom. And in-between, she could figure out what was going on. Harlow pulled the reins over Alpha's head and began walking to the stalls. Her mind completely occupied. They only took one step inside before nearly colliding with another rider leading their horse. Harlow was at fault, she knew it, but her brain was programed otherwise. Harlow Alenko was never at fault, "Hey! Why don't you watch-" and then she stopped, staring at the girl: that heart shaped face, those brown eyes matching perfectly manicured eyebrows, along with the messy but well styled wavy shoulder length brunette hair. It was the mysterious girl from the photos with Ty. Her body bristled up, the anger taking hold. Even Alpha could sense it coming as the horse snorted and tossed his head, wanting him and his owner to retreat. But it was too late, "You! Why are you flirting with Ty Webber?!"

I made my decision to test the limits 'cause it's my business

thanks aofie!

[RILEY JAMES RYAN]

Riley moved the brush back and forth across the bay’s well-conditioned body, taking her time as she continue to build on the bond she had made with the stallion she’d fallen in love with whilst back in Germany. She glanced towards Kenzo’s face and pressed her lips into a smile when she saw that his eyes were half closed and his bottom lip limp. The horse was clearly enjoying every moment. ”Ay sleepy, don’t be nodding off.” She said, reaching a hand up to scratch the top of his neck.

She dumped her grooming kit back in the box and placed it outside the stable before grabbing the horse’s tack. She’d turned up just as one of the stablehands – Ty, was about to take the horse to be groomed but she’d asked to do it herself. She liked to spend the quality time with her horses when she wasn’t pushed for time. Riley spent a few minutes tacking up the stallion, double checking everything was sitting comfortably before grabbing her hat from the railing outside and slipping it onto her head. ”Come on then.” She smiled, leading the horse out of the stable and towards the exit.

The sound of approaching hooves made her pause and back up a step when the source of the noise almost collided into her. "Hey! Why don't you watch-" She steadied Kenzo as he backed up another couple of steps then looked back to the girl and her horse, lifting a brow at the girl’s outburst. She had been the one at fault. ”You! Why are you flirting with Ty Webber?!" She took a quick glance behind her, checking to make sure the petite girl was actually talking to her. ”The hell is Ty Webber?” She said, more to herself as she turned her attention back to Harlow. ”The stablehand?” She asked with a surprised laugh. ”If asking him not to groom my horse is flirting, then sue me.” She said, shrugging her shoulders.

[HARLOW FREYA ALENKO]

July 2023 • outfit + Alpha • RILEY JAMES RYAN

There was mild chaos after the near collision, mostly from the horses. Brown eyes watched the Brunette's horse try to back up a few steps and pulling against the lead rope. Alpha himself had a moment of stupidity before settling down besides her, but now the gelding was ready to go, as if he could sense his human's rising impatience. Harlow rolled her eyes when the girl actually glanced over her shoulders to confirm who exactly she had been talking to, "Yes. I am talking to you." She snarked back now, but it became apparent that this young woman was ready to dance.

The other woman had her own outburst now, but it was built on laughter and Harlow didn't appreciate it. Hearing her call Ty a mere stable hand made Harlow want to bristle, "He's not a lowly stablehand, he's a groom," she snapped at her. One of John Ryan's groom, but given this was his stables, she doubted that she needed to distinguish that unless this girl was living under a rock. By this point, Harlow wasn't sure if she wanted to believe the girl that she hadn't been flirting with Ty, that's not what her sister's pictures made it look like, but even Harlow knew how loaded it was to bring up picture evidence.

A low whinny escaped Alpha along with a stop of his hoof, but Harlow ignored him other than to tighten her grip on his reins - whether it was annoyance at him or at this girl though, it was hard to tell, "Well. Since you're new," Harlow said in a clipped voice now, "I'll only say this once: Stay away from Ty. He's mine." And that was a bonafide fact.

I made my decision to test the limits 'cause it's my business

thanks aofie!