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“That’s such a hard word,” Wren groaned dramatically, making all of the adults chuckle.

“Silly-bean, there are way harder words than that one, but you know how we defeat challenging words, right?” Lysander said.

“Turn them into easier ones?” Wren said. “We can just say they took a nap all winter.”

“We could,” Lysander replied. “But I bet we could conquer hibernate if we sound it out together, so try it with me.”

Wren did. After a few stumbles they got the hang of the word, just like they’d done in the classroom.

Exactly like they’d done in the classroom.

Same technique as Kale had used.

“Sometimes I forget that you used to be a teacher,” Ridge said, and suddenly it all clicked.

“That’s right,” Logan said. “I’d forgotten too.”

“Because you’ve only known me as a wanderer,” Lysander reminded him. “Teaching was what I did when I still had a home and a pack to belong to.”

“You have a pack now,” Wren said. “Does that mean you’re gonna be a teacher again?”

“Awe, silly-bean, those certifications are expired by now and I don’t get around the way I used to,” Lysander replied. “Chasing pups takes a lot of speed and energy.”

“You always catch me.”

Lysander sputtered, unable to form a rebuttal.

“I think the pup’s got you there,” Tate said, chuckling.

“You shouldn’t discount the possibility if it’s something you’re still passionate about,” Rusty said. “When Kale got here, he didn’t have a stitch of clothes on his back, let alone his paperwork. Octavius, the superintendent up at the school, tracked everything down for him and helped him sign up for the online classes to get them updated. Just putting it out there.”

“He’s right,” Logan said. “In the short time I’ve been here, I’ve seen what these wolves can do. Just think about it.”

“I will,” Lysander replied. “Truth is, I miss it immensely.”

“I could tell, back when you were teaching me the ins and outs of intelligence gathering,” Logan said. “You shared so much information I’d go to bed with my head reeling. Every bit of it came in handy when I was on my own.”

“That right there is what makes the time I spent teaching worthwhile,” Lysander said. “I’ll reach out to Octavius and see what it’ll take to get up to speed again and move forward from there. If it’s doable, then I’d be happy to become a faculty member at the school. Making lessons plans would be a far more enjoyable way to spend my days than designing extraction methods.”

“I like when Papa Rusty puts orange extract in the pancake mix,” Wren declared. “That’s my favorite. They taste like fluffy dreamsicles when he pours vanilla syrup over them.”

It took a moment for Rusty to figure out how the conversation had shifted to pancakes, until he realized that Wren had mixed up extraction for extract. In this case, it was probably better to run with it.

“Wait a minute, how come none of those orange dreamsicle pancakes made an appearance when I was snowed in with you?” Wild said, eyeing Rusty.

“My apologies, I promise to make them the next time you crash against one of my windows,” Rusty replied.

“Crash?” Ridge asked, whirling to face his mate.

Logan was certain he’d have lost a few fluffy feathers if he’d been shifted, with how fast he moved.

“It was a momentary miscalculation, nothing more,” Wild declared, attempting to wave it off like it was nothing.

“It was such a loud boom it scared me awake!” Wren said.

“Momentary miscalculation, huh?” Ridge muttered. “I’m going to have to keep my eye on you, aren’t I?”

“You’d better,” Rusty said. “He’s a fly first, asking questions later, kind of an owl.”