Chapter 7

“Alright, settle down, everyone!” I call as I enter the class.

Quiet descended as the pups stopped what they were doing, and turned to me.

“Ellie’s back!”

Pike and Anna ran up to me first, and I knelt down to hug them.

“I’m back,” I whispered.

“We missed you so much!” Pike cried.

“I know,” I replied, and held them tighter as the rest of the pups came over, once the shock of my arrival had subsided. All except Leona, who still sat at her desk, arms folded and scowling. That doesn’t matter. She’s not important.

I spent the whole first hour before Anka’s arrival playing games with the pups, and running them through exercises. By the time Anka did arrive, the pups had burned off their excess energy and were ready to listen. Her eyes swept over the class, and landed on me. She nodded in approval and my chest warmed with pride.