Whistles and commands echoed at the Lykoudis Ranch, as there were herds of cattle being commanded to return to the ranch itself. Many men and women worked on the ranch, all of whom were employed by the ranch owner, Xenon Lykoudis.
Xenon was in his late forties and was known in the small city of Helena, Montana, as a successful cattle rancher. The people respected him; women desire him. However, Xenon chose to be single ever since his wife, Kendra, died in an accident. It was one of the most harrowing moments of his life, as he loved her with all his heart; they were high school sweethearts.
His wife died five years ago, and she didn't have the opportunity to see their son, David, grow up. The couple had always wanted to have a family, but they struggled with conceiving. They even tried IVF, but they didn't have luck.
Something happened to Xenon years ago that even Kendra was unaware of. One night, as he was rounding up the last cattle on his ranch, he came face-to-face with an injured creature. Xenon remembered that the creature was shot and was struggling to breathe. He always had a soft spot for animals. As he drew closer, the creature was revealed to be a dark gray wolf, but it was the most enormous wolf he had ever seen. Still, Xenon went to it, but when trying to inspect the animal, the wolf bit him.
The bite was painful, but what happened afterward was excruciating. Xenon couldn't forget the way his body burned; it felt as if he were suffering in hell itself. A painful force was felt throughout his body, and it felt as if his body and soul were being torn apart.
He fainted when the pain got too much.
When Xenon woke up, he was found by some members of the Flathead Indian Reservation. He was shocked to learn that the wolf he found was a skinwalker, or a werewolf, as people would call them. It was something that Xenon didn't want to believe in. One of the people who found him was Calian Stronghorse, who showed him the body of the skinwalker. However, the body of a native man had some wolf fur on it. Xenon couldn't believe the possibilities.
What was even more unbelievable was when Calian told him that since Xenon had been bitten, he had been turned into a werewolf. It was initially thought of as a joke, but he was instructed to wait until night, and Xenon's body transformed into a wolf.
It was one of the most frightening moments in his life, and he didn't know what to do or think. Luckily, the reservation had an elder who was knowledgeable about the skinwalkers since he knew someone who was one. The elder taught Xenon how to change and control the wolf, but warned him that if he ever bit someone in his wolf form, then that person would become like him. Additionally, Xenon couldn't reveal his identity to anyone, as he would be in danger of exposure.
The cowboy hated keeping secrets, especially from his wife when she was alive. He feared that his wolf side would take control, but with the elder's guidance and the reservation's protection, Xenon was able to keep it under control.
When he and Kendra tried again to have a child, they were thrilled to find out that Kendra was pregnant. It made him wonder if his wolf genes helped with the fertilization. Xenon secretly feared that their child would inherit the wolf genes; he was reassured that the wolf genes could only be passed down through bites.
Eventually, his son, David, was born, and it was the happiest moment of his and Kendra's lives, but Kendra died eight months later. The city's sheriff informed him that Kendra's car had a flat tire and someone had committed a hit-and-run; however, the culprit had not been found.
After Kendra's death, Xenon suffered from depression and stress from his loss and being a single father. Calian and the members of the reservation were there beside him. Many women from the reservation assisted Xenon in caring for David. The cowboy was grateful to Calian and the reservation, so he hired many members to work for him on his ranch. The residents were grateful for the job opportunities that helped them better their community.
(How Calian would look)
Calian became the godfather of David and Xenon's most trusted and closest friend.
Xenon and the others put the last cattle back into the ranch's gates. Calian rode close to his friend. "Another good day. Have you been feeling well?"
"So far so good. Sometimes I have the urge to change into the wolf, especially on the full moon. However, I have the willpower to control myself."
"You have come so far, my friend. Still, one should always be cautious. When do you think would be the right time to tell your son about your identity?"
"He's still too young to know; he is innocent. Also, David may tell others since he doesn't know the entire concept of keeping secrets."
Calian nodded, chuckling as he remembered his godson. "I wouldn't say he is too innocent, my friend. David is becoming more mischievous by the day. He is more like..."
Xenon's eyes softened; he knew what his friend wanted to say. It was painful for him to admit the reality. "I know, he is becoming a lot like Kendra."
"I am sorry, I shouldn't have."
"It's alright. I see a lot of Kendra in our son. He may look like me, but he has her personality."
The friends watched as the other cowboys locked the gates and went to the horse stables to put their horses back in their places. Calian glanced at his friend; it saddened him that Calian had to raise David as a single parent, but also keep the secret of his being a werewolf, or as his people would say, a skinwalker. Not only that, it would be difficult for his friend to date, as he was still mourning Kendra, and the fact that Xenon would be in danger of his identity being revealed.
However, Calian believed that there was hope that someone would accept his friend and his situation. "My wife and I are going out tonight at the Wild West bar in the city. You should come with us."
"Calian, I know what you're trying to do. I have told you many times that I am not interested in dating. You know why."
"Yes, I know, but this is the twenty-first century. There are many women who are more accepting and open to the paranormal and supernatural. Who knows, you may meet someone who can accept you for who you are."
Xenon sighed while massaging his forehead. Calian and his wife would always try to motivate him to date. He feared the consequences and dangers, but he couldn't deny the loneliness he felt. The cowboy did want companionship. "What I am is not a fantasy; it is a harsh reality. I don't know what else I am capable of if I lose control of the wolf inside. Also, being a single father makes it more difficult. Not many women don't want to be stepmother."
"You shouldn't think to negatively, my friend. You are also handsome and-"
"That's the thing, Calian. I don't want just any woman to go for my looks. It's not going to last." Xenon looked at his phone. "Shoot, it's almost 3 p.m. I have to pick David up from school."
"Alright. Still, think about it. My wife and I will go out at 8 p.m. My mother-in-law wanted me to let you know that she would be happy to babysit David. Let me know by 6:45 p.m."
Xenon nodded. "Fine. I will let you."
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