Lone Wolf Ranch

Dakota

 

 

 

With their paperwork completed, Mr. Benally knew it was time he and Miss Tsosie left. He paused at the door and apologized to Dakota for her comments once his co-worker was out of earshot. He was shocked when Naiche said, “It’s ok, Sir. She just hasn’t been around people like us enough.”

Mr. Benally knelt and looked the boy in the eyes as he said, “Well, she’s missing out. Hopefully, she’ll come to understand. Until then, you let your daddy teach you the ways of the Diné.”

Once their visitors were gone, Robin put his hand on Dakota’s shoulder and said, “It’s none of my business what you and Naiche do. You’re my brother, and I love you.” Then turning to Naiche, he added, “And I love you too, Yázhí.” 

Dakota smiled at his brother, then, looking around at his family, he took a deep breath and said, “I think it’s time you all knew the truth.” 

Wamblee gave his grandson an appraising look, then suggested they gather in the living room. Once everyone was seated, Dakota knelt in front of the couch, facing Jonas and Robin. He glanced at Robin, then looked Jonas in the eyes as he said, “I need you to understand; you cannot share our secret with others. Many will hate Naiche and me, and some will try to harm us. Mr. Benally’s acceptance is quite unusual among our people. Most are like Miss Tsosie and would like to see us imprisoned or killed.” 

Jonas gasped, while Robin exclaimed, “Just because you’re gay?” 

Dakota was flabbergasted. He stared at Robin briefly, then asked, “Is that what you think her issue is?” 

“Well, when Naiche mentioned you licking him, I just assumed…” Robin looked uncomfortable, then quickly added, “You know I won’t judge you, and as I said, I love you both, no matter what.” 

Dakota shook his head and said, “Two-spirited people have been accepted by the Navajo, and most other tribes, for as long as we can remember. And my love for Naiche has nothing to do with sex, nor will it ever. Miss Tsosie is concerned about the fact that Naiche and I are ánti'įhnii. In English, that is most commonly translated as ‘skinwalker.’”

Seeing the confused looks on Jonas and Robin’s faces, Dakota went on, “Navajo culture honors the magic used by our medicine men, those who are seen as healers in their communities. Most are raised to this role through many years of training in the arts, handed down from an elder medicine man. Like with all humans, power can corrupt, and some medicine men used their magic for evil. Some of the most evil learned to change their shape in order to deceive, intimidate, or even kill. These evil witches are what most people mean when they speak of skinwalkers.”

Robin chewed on his upper lip as he thought, then asked, “You said many are taught, but not all?”

Dakota nodded as he said, “Many are taught, yes, but the most powerful are those born with this magic. Power is neither good nor evil; the person who has the power determines if they use it for good or evil, but the power itself is neutral. Like many of our people, Miss Tsosie assumes that simply having our abilities makes one evil.”

“So, you and Naiche can change into what? Werewolves?” Robin asked, still confused.

Dakota laughed as he shook his head and replied, “We’re not werewolves.” He sighed, then continued, “Those who learn the power can rarely shift into more than one shape. Those born with it can, with a bit of practice, shift into any living shape we choose. However, we tend to have preferred shapes. That’s what I’ve been doing with Naiche. He has found that his preferred shape is that of a fox. That is why I changed his name to Tokala when I adopted him.”

Jonas turned to Naiche and exclaimed, “You can turn into a fox? Can I see? Please??!!”

Naiche looked to Dakota for approval. On receiving a nod, he stepped to the center of the room and crouched down. While the others watched, his arms and legs began to stretch, bend, and reshape. Finger and toe bones got longer, wrists and ankles changed angles, and hips rotated. As this was happening, his face was twisting as his jaw bones stretched and grew narrow, forming into the sharp muzzle of a fox. As his ears moved up on his head, the lobes grew pointy as they rose from the top of his reformed skull. As this happened, orange fur slowly emerged over his entire body, except for his chest. His chest, and the tip of his bushy tail, were white.

Wamblee and Robin had watched in awe, but Jonas was so excited that he ran to Naiche and petted him. Robin looked at Dakota and asked, “You said his preferred shape is a fox. What else can he do?”

While Naiche and Jonas wrestled around on the floor, Dakota replied, “I’ve seen him as a wolf pup, a small bobcat, and the fox you now see. In time, he’ll learn to take the shape of any living being he can imagine, just as I can.”

Wamblee nodded as he asked, “This is why your mothers gave both of you the name Mingan?”

Dakota nodded as he explained, “For our first shift, usually in our first year, we take the form of the first animal we see in life. Shimásání, sorry, that’s Grandmother Bylilly, had a pet wolf. It was the first animal I ever saw, and I assume that Naiche saw a descendant of that same wolf, or our wolves would look identical.”

Robin had an awestruck expression as he quietly asked, “So you can change into a wolf? What else can you become?”

Dakota shrugged as he asked, “What can’t I change into? My ancestors were limited by what they saw in life. I have access to the internet, so I can become any animal I’ve seen in pictures. Even something mythical like a unicorn, though I stick to animals that won’t freak out a human in case I’m seen. People wouldn’t stop searching for me if I were seen as a unicorn or something.”

Robin was desperately trying to comprehend and asked Dakota several questions. Dakota explained that, no, changing shapes wasn’t painful and that, yes, he did have a preferred shape. As Dakota answered several more questions from Robin and Jonas, he realized that his grandfather didn’t seem surprised.

He was considering this when Robin quietly asked, “Um… will I become like you if you bite me?”

Dakota struggled as he tried to hide his laugh under a coughing fit. When he recovered, he replied, “I told you we are not werewolves, so no, you will not become one of us if we bite you. I would hope that Naiche is mature enough to know better than to bite you anyway. Since you were not born one of us, the only way you could become like us is to study our native magic for decades.”

Robin gasped and, in a shocked voice, asked, “So there really are werewolves?”

Dakota was about to answer when Wamblee said, “There are many things in this world that humans have convinced themselves are legends or myths. I will not confirm or deny the existence of anything specific, but I will recommend that you keep an open mind. Just remember that, like skinwalkers, most beings who are not purely human have been vilified unjustly. Like humans, all creatures have the capacity for good or evil.”

Dakota turned to his grandfather and stared. After a moment, he asked, “How long have you known?”

Wamblee gave a slight grin, then answered, “When your father called to tell me about the cute wolf pup he found in your crib, I suspected what you were. I went to an old friend who educated me. When your mother died, and you and your father moved in here, my friend advised me to keep my silence. He told me this day would come, the day you felt you could trust me enough to reveal your secrets.” He thought for a moment, then added, “And, while I know the answer, I could ask you a similar question. How did you learn so much about your nature without one of your own to guide you?”

Dakota seemed lost in his own thoughts for quite a while until he finally replied, “When father and I last saw her, Shimásání told me that she would be my guide. Not all those late-night calls to her were because I missed my grandmother. She was teaching me about myself along with teaching me the ways of the Diné.”

Wamblee nodded as he said, “Asdza Bylilly was a powerful medicine woman and I was honored to call her a friend, as well as the mother of my son’s wife. You are not the only one who had long conversations with her on the telephone as you were growing up. The night she passed on, she called me. She knew it was her time, and she said that she knew her grandsons would find each other. I didn’t understand until you pulled that little fox out of the truck. He looked exactly like you on the day your father brought you here.” Wamblee paused to look around at the boys in his home, then added, “There is no doubt in my mind that this family was destined to be.”

The room was silent as the boys considered what Wamblee had revealed. After giving them a few minutes to reflect, Wamblee stood and said, “You will have many years to contemplate what you have learned about your brother and nephew, Opichi. The schools have deadlines. I would suggest you and Dakota shower, then head into town and speak with the admissions offices at Stone Child and MSUN. They can guide you towards the correct path for your education.” 

After seeing Robin’s nod, Dakota turned to Naiche and said, “You can stay a fox, or you can change back to human, but either way, you are to remain in the house or the backyard. Listen to Shinálí. Opichi and I will be back before dark.” 

After getting a yip from Naiche and a nod from Jonas, Dakota and Robin headed to the apartments, where they showered and dressed. With school records in hand, they were soon headed to town in Dakota’s classic truck. On the way, they talked about how to manage their studies while working in the shop. Dakota had taken classes at Stone Child during his three years in high school. He had made sure these were accepted towards his graduation requirements and, by doing so, had graduated a year early. Due to his familiarity with Stone Child, Dakota suggested they begin with MSUN. 

Robin didn’t understand why, but within the first five minutes of stepping onto the campus, he knew that MSUN was the place for him. The admissions counselor was welcoming, helpful, and easy to talk with. The business program at the school covered all the classes Robin would need. None of that played into his decision. There was just something inside him that said he needed to take classes here. As Dakota and Robin filled out the registration forms, the counselor filled out the forms to give Dakota transfer credits for his work at Stone. Robin would be a freshman in the fall, while Dakota would be an incoming sophomore. Two hours later, the self-proclaimed brothers left the admissions office with class schedules in their hands. 

Once they were done at the college, Dakota wanted to show his brother around the town, so he parked in front of Wolfer’s Diner and started their walking tour. A half-block north, they entered Havre Historical Underground, better known as ‘Havre Beneath the Streets’. Dakota told Robin how, when the city burned in 1904, the businesses moved underground while the buildings were rebuilt. At various times, this underground city housed a brothel, a saloon, a Chinese laundry, and three opium dens. During prohibition, it also provided space for alcohol smugglers in the area. 

As they returned above ground, Dakota realized Robin wasn’t his usual inquisitive self. While underground, he noticed that his brother was staring at him several times and thought he knew why. As they were approaching the truck, Dakota suggested they grab a milkshake. When Robin agreed, they headed towards Wolfer’s. Before they could enter, Dakota held the door for a short, red-headed man to exit.

Dakota nodded respectfully toward the man and said, “Greetings, Tse Nalyehe. Or should I call you Unk Tehi, as my grandfather’s ancestors did?” 

In an Irish accent, the small man replied, “Good afternoon, young skinwalker. When I am in public, I go by Drake Fraener, though I am impressed that you remember the names used by your ancestors, both the Lakota and the Navajo. Do you still use the names you were given by your mother?”

Dakota noticed Robin’s quiet gasp when he heard Drake’s use of the word skinwalker, but he would have to deal with that later. He smiled and replied, “I am Mingan Ashkii Dakota Two Guns. My friends call me Dakota. I would be honored if you would use that name, Mr. Fraener.” 

Drake smiled as he responded, “Only if you will call me Drake.” Dakota nodded, then Drake glanced at Robin as he added, “I would love to sit and allow your young friend his questions, but I am in a rush today.”

Noticing the glance, Dakota said, “Forgive me; this is my brother, Robin.” After Robin and Drake had shaken hands, Dakota added, “You are always welcome at our home. I am sure that my grandfather would enjoy seeing you again. If you allow it, my son and brothers would like to hear your story.”

Drake agreed to visit sometime in the next few weeks, then went on his way as Dakota led Robin to a corner table. They had just sat down when the young server brought menus. Dakota handed them back and ordered two chocolate milkshakes. While waiting for them, Dakota tried to reassure his brother.

“Are you ok with all of this? One minute you act odd, and the next, you act like everything is perfectly normal. You know you can ask me anything.”

Robin chewed on his lower lip for a moment, then said, “I’m not going to run away if that’s what you are asking. It is a lot to digest, but like you said, you’re still the same person you were before I found out.” He paused, then asked, “Are there many like you? I mean, shapeshifters. Are they all around me?”

Dakota was about to reply when the server brought their milkshakes. They both took a spoonful, then Dakota looked up and smiled at the older man who had turned around from the booth behind them and quietly said, “Nice to see you again, Dakota. From what I’ve overheard, I think you and your friend should be talking somewhere a bit more private.”

Dakota gave the man a surprised look, then said, “Hey, Mr. O’Faolan, I guess you’re right.” He then looked at Robin and said, "Let’s take these to one of the tables at the veteran’s memorial and continue our talk.”

“I’ll join you if you don’t mind,” Shamus said as he stood. He glanced at Robin, then turned back to Dakota and added, “Based on what I heard, I think that you and your friend here might be interested in what I have to say.”

Both boys stood as Dakota said, “I’m sorry, Mr. O’Faolan, I’m being rude. This is my brother, Robin. Robin, this is Shamus O’Faolan.”

Shamus offered his hand to Robin as he said, “Please, call me Shamus. Maybe if I get you doing it, Dakota will get it through his thick skull that I don’t like being called Mr. O’Faolan.”

Dakota laughed as he, Robin, and Shamus walked out the door of Wolfer’s. As they walked the block to the small park, Dakota wondered what Shamus had overheard and what the old man had to say. At the same time, Shamus wondered why he had never realized Dakota was like him. Sitting at one of the tables in the park, Dakota took another spoonful of his shake, delaying the conversation. Robin looked from Shamus to Dakota, then back as he, too, took a spoonful of chocolate and waited.

Shamus looked around to make sure no one was close enough to hear, then he looked at Dakota, cleared his throat, and said, “Please don’t think I was being nosey, Dakota, but I overheard some of what you two were saying. You need to be more careful when you’re around humans.”

Dakota was so busy being embarrassed about not being careful that the words failed to register in his mind. Robin, on the other hand, heard the words and understood their meaning. He looked at Shamus and asked, “So you’re like Dakota?”

Shamus took a moment to choose his words carefully, then replied, “Until I heard your conversation, I had always assumed Dakota was human.” He turned to Dakota and added, “Since I don’t know everything, I can’t say if I’m like you or not.”

Dakota looked at Shamus with newfound interest as he considered how to respond. Shamus had just implied that he was something other than human without saying what he was, exactly. Until now, Dakota had always assumed that he and Drake were the only non-humans in the area. He decided to continue the wordplay, hoping to learn more before he revealed too much.

“What part of our conversation has you suspecting that I’m not human?” Dakota challenged.

Shamus gave a knowing smile as he nodded and said, “I heard your brother ask if there were other shapeshifters, like you, all around him.” He paused, then added, “Once we’re done with this topic, remind me to ask how you have an older brother who is obviously of European descent.”

Dakota smiled as he told Shamus about his trip to Last Stand Ranch and the leatherworking classes he had taught, and how Robin and Jonas had come to live with him and his grandfather. He went on to explain why he and Robin considered themselves brothers. When he was done, he sat and waited for Shamus to continue.

Shamus realized that they were both avoiding the issue. He decided to be direct, so he asked, “What type of shifter are you, Dakota?”

Dakota’s eyebrows came together in confusion as he asked, “What do you mean by type?”

Shamus glanced around to check that they couldn’t be overheard, then said, “I mean, are you a wolf shifter? A cat? An eagle? What animal do you change into when you shift?”

Dakota was willing to risk honesty, but Shamus’ question had confused him even more. He thought for a moment, then asked, “Why would I limit myself to one animal? I can shift into all of those, and many others,” as an afterthought, he added, “can’t you?”

Shamus was surprised by what the boy said. He had heard of shifters like Dakota, but in almost 500 years, he had only met one other. He decided to trust, and said, “Unlike you, child of Loki, I can only shift into the form of a wolf.”

Dakota’s face showed his confusion as he absorbed Shamus’ words. He thought for a moment, then asked, “What do you mean by ‘Child of Loki’? He’s a Norse god, I’m Navajo and Sioux.”

One corner of Shamus’ mouth lifted in a smirk as he replied, “Gods are gods. They don’t care about your human DNA, and unlike the gods of your people, the Norse, Greek, and Roman gods have historically spent a lot of time visiting humans. Living among us, causing problems, and having children.”

Robin interrupted, saying, “I’ve read stories about things like that. They’re called demi-gods, or something like that, right? So Dakota’s father was Loki?”

Before Shamus could reply, Dakota stated, “My father was a proud Sioux warrior who died serving his country. There’s no way he was a Norse god.”

Shamus smiled at Dakota’s dedication to honoring his father’s memory. He carefully considered his words, then said, “I watched your father grow up. I know he was a great man, and if he were alive, I’m sure he would be very proud of the man you’ve become. That doesn’t change the fact that you are a son of Loki.”

When Dakota started to protest, Shamus held up his hand and explained, “Before I go into your situation, let me tell you a legend.”

Dakota and Robin sat quietly and listened as Shamus told them that most shapeshifter legends attributed their existence to either a demi-god or a curse or blessing from one of the gods. True lycanthropes, of course, traced their beginning to Lycan and his disastrous dinner with Zeus. Hawk and lion shifters traced back to the times that Ra walked the earth in human form. Some believed that all shifters could trace their animal form to one god or another, while most others believed that they were all descended from Loki and his many adventures amongst humans.

Before Dakota could speak, Robin asked, “If most shifters trace back to Loki, why are some limited to one form or another?”

Shamus smiled and replied, “We wish we knew, but the truth has been lost through the millennia. The most accepted theory revolves around reproduction.” When both boys looked confused, Shamus went on, “As I said, I am a wolf shifter. Somewhere back in time, my ancestors mated while in wolf form and had pups. The descendants of those pups are now locked to that form. I can only be human or wolf. The theory is that children of Loki who are not demi-gods come from bloodlines that have never had offspring in a shifted form.”

Dakota sat, stunned. This changed everything he thought about himself and what he was. Robin put his hand on Dakota’s arm and asked, “Are you ok?”

Dakota slowly shook his head as he mumbled, “I don’t know. I have to reconsider a lot about my life and what I thought I am. I always thought I was a skinwalker but now I’m confused.”

Shamus reached over and put his hand on top of Dakota’s as he said, I’m sorry, son. I didn’t mean to cause you problems. I just assumed you knew all of this when I heard Robin’s question.” Thinking for a moment, he added, “Why don’t you come out to the house tomorrow? I have several manuscripts that address these issues. Most of them are considered myths, but hey, we’re supposed to be a myth, so I’ve always tried to read them as histories.”

Dakota nodded, then said, “I appreciate it, Shamus. Would it be okay if I brought Robin and my son with me?”

Shamus chuckled as he asked, “Son? When did this happen? Is his mother someone I know?”

Shamus chuckled when Robin told how he found a naked Naiche sleeping in the horse trailer. When Dakota said that the boy was his biological nephew and now, under Navajo law, his son, Shamus could sense that Dakota was withholding something. He thought he knew what it was.

“The boy’s a son of Loki, too, isn’t he?”

Dakota paused, then deciding that he should trust the older shifter, replied, “He is. I’ve spent the last few days teaching him about skinwalkers and how to control his shifts. Now I have to tell him that most of what I told him isn’t true.”

“If you’ll take some child-rearing advice from an old man, save that conversation until you learn more. You said he’s five?” When Dakota nodded, Shamus continued, “Get your facts straight before you tell him anything more. Changing your story too many times will just confuse him, and it sounds like he’s had it rough. Right now, he needs your love more than he needs to know exactly what he is.”

Dakota smiled and nodded as he said, “He’s got my love. He stole my heart the first night at home. I was almost asleep when I heard him creeping into my room. When he saw me in my preferred shape, he shifted into the cutest little fox cub and curled up in bed with me to sleep.”

Surprised, Shamus asked, “He can shift already?”

Dakota tilted his head as he said, “Well yeah. I did my first shift just after my first birthday. Isn’t that normal?”

Shamus shrugged as he replied, “I can’t say what’s normal for you. We usually shift for the first-time during puberty. When you come over, you’ll meet most of the pack. Are you going to share this with them? Or should we keep this quiet for a while?”

Dakota looked down, thinking, then looked to Robin, who shrugged and said, “Not my secret to share. I’ll do whatever you choose.”

Dakota bit his lower lip, then said, “I suppose it would be nice to know more who are like me. Well, similar, at least. Um, would it be okay if we wait until I’m there and we all talk about it?”

Shamus nodded and said, “As your brother said, it’s your secret to share. You can tell whomever you like, whenever you’re ready. Without saying who they are, I’ll say that you already know all the young pups in my pack, except one.”

After agreeing to visit Shamus in the morning, Dakota and Robin tossed their empty cups into a nearby trash can and headed for the truck. As he drove home, Dakota couldn’t shake the feeling that tomorrow would change his life in more ways than one.

As Shamus walked to his truck, he wondered how Connor would react to meeting another shifter.

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Thanks to Arthur, Vincente, Nick, Pete, Tommy, John, and all of my other patrons who have supported my work. Special thanks to Wyatt for his constant encouragement and help.

 

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