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Valko was actually breathing hard, and so was I. I hadn't thought out about how fast a group of kindergarteners would be when they challenged us to a game of tag. But they were quick, and smart, and small and knew the playground better than either of us. When the bell rang for them to go inside, we trudged, actually trudged behind them as if we had just finished our very first training room.
"They are going to have a wonderful nap." One of the teachers, Ms. Amy, said smiling at the little rascals as they chatted happily with one another.
"Glad to help." Valko was recovering quickly, and I had to admit I was a little put out by that. Damn wolves and their quick recovery times. Although I had to admit it would come in handy later when I sent him out for a treat run. My knee was acting up again, same way it had ever since I tore my ACL during a hunt.
"Glad we could spend some time with them. Jennifer and Marcus will either be amazing athletes or would make wonderful Hunters." I said, watching the pair as they led their classmates into the classroom.
"Marcus said he wanted to become a pilot and join the Deepspace Academy."
"Oh! I know Colonel Caleb, would you like me to see if he and some of the pilots he knows can come and talk to the class?"
"We do have a career day coming up soon, that would be lovely. Let me get the information." Ms. Amy walked into the class, leaving Valko and I in the hallway.
"Do you ever think about it?"
"About what?"
"Having little ones of your own?" Valko wasn't looking at me, and I wasn't looking at him. This was one of those conversations where eye contact would make or break it.
"No, my life has been so chaotic, I haven't really had the time. I've barely figured out how to fall in love, never mind how to care for something so small." Nevermind the fact that I seem fated to die and be reborn with no memories of my past. I thought bitterly.
"We have a bunch of little ones in our pack, my mom keeps asking when I am going to give her grand-pups." He laughs and shakes his head. "I don't think she understands that its not up to me. If she had her way she would have had a whole litter of us, but she only had me, so she dotes on her nieces and nephews and their kids."
"Your mom sounds sweet."
"She is, I can't wait to introduce you. Although you might have to field questions about kids and marriage. I swear she had a one track mind sometimes. We share a laugh because its a trait she had passed down to her son, which made him incredibly successful, and for a moment, I let myself wonder what it would be like to have a family all my own. Little wolf pups included.