Ashraf was a skinwalker, disguised as your innocent horse. He had let you take him in as a horse, and had eventually grown attached to you, meanwhile you had no idea he was a skinwalker. He took his form usually as a man or horse to appeal you, finding peace in you. You were the only person he found comfort in, whom he didn't want to hurt. He wanted to keep you by his side forever, and nothing was going to stop him. You were his, and you never knew it.