Born Wild

Christmas in Elkford

Finally, Koda was healthy enough to go home himself. 

Tala collected their things from the hospital to take out to her car that her mother had driven there. Koda was pushed in a wheelchair to the hospital door and walked out with help from Tala. He was still in a moderate amount of pain, and walking put a strain on his chest.

They pulled in their driveway, noticing twinkling from afar. They got out of the car and stood admiring Christmas lights hanging from their roof and a pine wreath hanging from their door.

"Someone decorated our house!" Tala laughed and put her arm under Koda's snuggling into him.

"I wonder who it was." Koda said.

They headed inside, not expecting it to be warm like it was. It smelled like cinnamon and conifer. There was a small pine tree near the with red ornaments and a green flannel blanket on the couch. They walked back to their room, all clean and patched up. All of their stuff sat nicely on their made bed. 

Tala and Koda were enthralled with the surprise. They felt so loved and at peace. They had great family and friends. They were together again. They were safe. It was almost Christmas. Life had turned itself around. They were gonna be okay. 

Soon after, Daisy invited them both to come in for baked goods on the house. Tala and Koda drove to the bakery. They walked in, admiring the colorful walls and hanging paintings and drawings done by Daisy and other artists. They spent some time with Daisy, eating chocolate croissants and drinking coffee before heading out. As they left they passed Heath, saying a short hello.

Heath walked in solemnly, with his hands in his coat pockets. He admired the walls as he slowly walked to the back where Daisy leaned on the counter. He said a warm hello to Daisy, who was surprised to see him there. 

She asked, proper socialization slipping her mind, why he was there.

 He smiled and raised one eyebrow, saying that even bad people enjoy baked goods. Flustered she laughed and put her hand on the side of her curly head, apologizing for her lack of social skills. She hoped the other couple of customers didn't hear her.

He went to sit down at a seat near the wall, facing towards the counter. She prepared his food and drink and brought them to his table.

"You're not a bad person." she said, holding his food. "You may have done some bad things, but haven't we all? It seems like you're at least making amends."

Heath looked fondly up at Daisy. Her kind words seeping warmly into the cracks of his chest, causing his pain and guilt to fade. She set his food down on the table in front of him.

"It's ironic how people who have been controlled develop a tendency to be controlling." he mumbled and took a sip of his coffee. 

Daisy stood with her eyebrows raised and her mouth open.

"I'm sorry." he said flustered. "Ignore my last sentence, thank you for my food." he looked away. "And drink."

 Maybe the big bad wolf wasn't so strong after all.

Daisy sat down across from him, facing the other wall of the bakery with her back against the wall.

"It's nothing." Heath brushed it off. "I shouldn't have said anything." Heath said with embarrassment.

"It's not nothing." Daisy reassured.

She didn't force him to speak anymore on the situation. He quickly changed the subject and mentioned how much he liked the bakery and all of the art. They sparked up some conversation and continued to talk. Daisy grabbed her coffee and got up to help customers here and there. 

Daisy started to see Heath's face pretty consistently after that day and she kind of looked forward to it.

A few days after arriving home, Koda and Tala were healthy as ever. Tala's leg healed to just a knife scar, and Koda's wound was way less painful.

The week of Christmas came and the pack members had a small celebration of their own. On Christmas day, the Cypress's and Thorn's celebrated at Kita's. In the morning they had breakfast casserole and exchanged gifts. Then they sat by the fire and had hot wassail and cocoa.

Very soon after, Ben sold the old house and store in Tennessee and moved to Elkford. Tala was grateful to have all of her clothes and items again. Ben changed greatly and worked on being a good father. 

Pike dated for the first time after his wife's death and Koda was so happy for him. He also became really good friends with Ben again and they began to make plans to fish and camp when it got warm again. Pike ended up joining the pack. He was a less involved member, but he was still a part of it.

Chase was invited to join the pack. Heath made a few friends from towns nearby that included a couple of werewolves. He and the pack (especially Daisy) were on good terms and stayed in contact.

Shadow started to go by Darcy once again, knowing she was finally safe. Oliver encouraged Darcy to reunite with her family. She was stubborn and refused for the longest time, but eventually, she gave in. They were elated to see her for the first time in years and meet her husband.

Tala put the dagger on display on a bookshelf to remind them of their survival and safety. Tala and Koda continued to work at the barn together. They loved their job and it provided the money they needed. They weren't trying to become rich. They didn't have any debt to worry about and had enough money to save back for vacations and extra things. 

They might move one day, but for now, they were content in their house. They helped Kita prepare to sell garden and house plants. They had to be started in the greenhouse in the winter so they would be ready for spring. They also planned their wedding. It would be small, in the spring, and outside near the forest.