Born Wild

Temptation

Koda looked face to face with his father. His long hair and eyes were dark brown like Koda's, but his skin was darker. He seemed respectful and serious at first but had a warm smile just like Koda. He seemed to be about the same age as Kita. He had a few wrinkles developing on the side of his eyes and forehead, but his hair was still completely brown.

"Please come in." he said to both of them.

"Dad, this is Tala." Koda said.

"Hello, Tala, nice to meet you. I'm Pike. Pike Cypress" he replied.

Tala smiled and said it was nice to meet him as well.

His cabin was simple for the most part except for a few tribal patterns on the couch pillows and rugs. He had a few decorations consisting of bears, wolves, and deer. She loved the feeling of warmth and comfort she felt in the cabin.

"Son. We need to talk about everything for a few minutes. Alone. If that is alright with Tala." Pike said to them both.

"Tala is that alright?" Koda asked.

"Yes. Of course." Tala respectfully replied.

Pike led him to his office close by and left the door cracked. Tala walked around the living room slowly to admire his decorations. She could hear them quietly talk.

Koda crossed his arms and leaned against a bookshelf in Pike's office. "How come you never told me what we are?"

"To protect you, Koda. I'm sorry things happened the way they did. It's just after your mother...." Pike sighed. "I had to protect you and kicking you out was the only way I knew how."

Tala saw a picture of Koda with his parents on the bookshelf by the fireplace. His mother was Caucasian and had long dark brown hair.

Koda grew irritated. "No." he chipped. "You sent me out there alone to face the hunter. You should have kept me at home and told me about everything. If it weren't for Tala I would have had to transform alone." Koda looked down at the floor.

"So she knows about everything?" Pike asked.

"Yes. of course. She's a werewolf too. Kita's daughter."

"Ah. She does look like Kita." Pike fiddled with an object on his desk. "So is she your girlfriend?"

"Yes." Koda replied. "She lives with me."

Pike nodded his head.

"You need to make sure you do everything you can to protect her. Everything. Even if it is hard." Pike looked down and sniffled. "Don't be like me and fail to protect the one you care about."

"Dad...It wasn't your fault."

Pike nodded again and was quiet for a moment. "Son. I'm sorry for everything. Please forgive me."

Tala saw through the crack of the door, Koda walk to his father and hug him tightly.

The two of them opened the door to come out to the living room. Koda walked to Tala and hugged her. She clutched him back in a pleasant surprise.

Koda wanted to stay and talk to his father and give him updates about everything, but Kita's SUV quickly pulled into the driveway. Koda and Tala came outside to see why she was back so soon. Before they could say a thing she rolled the window down.

"The hunter is in town. We need to leave immediately." Kita rushed.

"No no no. Kita park your SUV in the garage and everyone come inside." Pike said.

They all headed inside, locked the doors and closed the blinds. Kita grew anxious.

"Kita. Breathe. It is all going to be fine. The hunter doesn't know you are here. He won't find us. Breathe." Pike poured her a glass of water and sat her down on the couch. "It is going to be alright."