That’s true. And judging by his reaction, I’m not mentioning the wolves. No need to send him into full meltdown.
“She’s fine. That’s what matters,” I shrug.
“You don’t get it… That’s how we lost our mom. She was a doctor too. Neela followed in her footsteps. ‘Neela’ means ‘moonlight’ in Mauritian—our ancestral land. You saved her!”
“Apparently. Maybe keep that in mind next time you feel like taking a swing at me. Though I get the impression you enjoy touching me…”
“Stupid cat!” he snaps.
Thank the stars—we’re out of the awkward emotional part.
“Actually,” he adds with a smirk, “maybe you deserve a reward. What would you like? A scratching post? A litter box? Ooh, I know—a ball on a string!”
Tempted as I am to smack him, I let it slide. We’ve got work to do.
“Instead of mouthing off, how about you help me retrieve her snowmobile?”
Kiran’s grin fades.
“Yeah, you’re right. First I’ll leave a message on the CCC—let them know Neela’s resting today. Another doctor will cover for her and take care of Youssef. That should keep people from coming here to check on her.”
Half an hour later, we’re standing by her snowmobile—half-buried in a snowbank. Together, we tug it free and drag it back onto the path. Not far away, I spot the place where I found her.
Kiran follows my gaze and stiffens.
“There’s blood,” he says sharply. “You said she was fine.”
“I said she’d be okay—she’s got a bump on the head.”
“But the blood…?”
“…isn’t hers. It’s from one of the wolves who found her before I did.”
Yeah, I knew this delicate Human heart would start hammering at that one. But we’re safe. The wolves are long gone.
“By Ares… you really did save her life.”
“You’re repeating yourself. Let’s go. She won’t be thrilled about this forced day off. You take your snowmobile—I’ll drive hers.”
“Want me to show you how it works?”
“Sure… if it’s more complicated than a Confed starship. Otherwise, I think I’ll manage.”
He doesn’t disappoint.
“Just try not to sink this one to the bottom of a lake.”
I don’t give him the satisfaction of a reaction. We ride back single file—the path’s too narrow to race.
When we get home, Neela’s in the kitchen making some kind of herbal tea. The bump’s not too bad—maybe the snow helped.
“I’m late!” she says. “I’m supposed to be at the medical unit. Who messed with my alarm and let me oversleep?”
Kiran and I exchange a guilty look.
“You’re not going anywhere today,” her brother declares. “I told them you’re resting.”
“But—”
