Chapter 4 The Accident

Firstly, Dharna emailed the unfinished assignment to herself after taking a few sips of coffee, so she could finish it later and begin working on the documents Glenda had dumped on her desk. The pile was overwhelming, and to keep up she had to skip lunch. Hunger gnawed at her until Mary appeared, sliding a sandwich and a cold coffee onto her desk.

"Thank you," Dharna said, munching on the sandwich while scanning the pages.

Mary frowned. "Why don't you say anything to her? She's getting worse day by day with you."

Mary was a brunette with a small frame, gentle with friends but fierce with those who deserved it.

Dharna smiled faintly. "I would have kicked her ass if I didn't need this job. Right now, I can't afford to lose it."

Mary sighed. "If you need anyone to accompany your sister in the evening at the hospital, I'm free. In fact, you do your work. It's been days since I last met her, and Lexi's been wanting to see her too."

Lexi was Mary's wolf, and she adored Ritika like a little sister. She had been heartbroken when she learned of Ritika's illness and often helped Dharna whenever money was short for medicines or treatment.

By the time Dharna finished, it was already eight o'clock. The office was empty, everyone had gone home, and Mary had already left to be with Ritika at the hospital. Dharna arranged everything neatly on her desk and went to Glenda's office to drop the files, but the door was locked. With no choice, she left them on Glenda's desk before heading out.

She was tired, her body heavy, but thanks to her wolf, she wasn't drained the way a normal human would be after hours of reading and reporting. Still, fatigue clung to her as she packed her bag and stepped into the night.

The street was quiet as she walked toward the bus station. She was halfway across the road when a car suddenly collided with her, the force sending her body flying before she crashed onto the concrete. Her head struck the pavement, pain exploding through her skull.

Her wolf surged instantly, knitting torn flesh, sealing bruises, repairing what it could. But healing came at a cost. Every repair drained her strength, pulling from reserves already worn thin by hunger, fatigue, and endless hours of work. The wounds closed, but her energy bled away.

Ritika... The name whispered through her mind, her last tether.

Through blurred vision, she saw the car stop. A pair of long, slender legs stepped out, wrapped in black trousers. The stranger's fragrance reached her - clean, steady, calming. Her wolf eased, too tired to resist. Trust settled over her like a blanket. She let her eyes close, surrendering to the darkness, knowing someone was there when she could no longer stand on her own.

* while in the Hospital *

Mary pushed open the door to Ritika's room, balancing a paper bag in one hand and a mischievous smile on her face. Ritika looked up from her bed, her eyes lighting instantly.

"You again," Ritika teased, her voice soft but playful. "Did Dharna send you to babysit me?"

Mary gasped dramatically, pressing a hand to her chest. "Babysit? Excuse me, I came here out of pure love. And also because Lexi wouldn't stop whining in my head about missing you."

Ritika laughed, the sound fragile but genuine. "Tell Lexi she's dramatic."

Mary plopped down in the chair beside her bed and pulled out the bag. "Well, dramatic Lexi insisted I bring you contraband. Hospital food is a crime against humanity." She revealed a neatly wrapped sandwich and a small box of sweets.

Ritika's eyes widened. "You're going to get us both scolded."

Mary leaned closer, whispering conspiratorially. "Then we'll blame Lexi. Wolves don't follow hospital rules."

Ritika giggled, shaking her head. "You're terrible."

Then she bent a little, closer to Mary's ear. "And humans don't know about us.... The werewolves".

Mary grinned. "That's terrible. Now, who will take the fall for me in front of the human?"

' I am not going to do this.' Lexi spoke to Mary.

Ritika who was looking at her grinned. "Let me guess, she was not going to..."

"You both are terrible". Mary sighed dramatically.

Then both Mary and Ritika laughed while Lexi, back in Mary's mind, was also happy to meet Ritika.

Now eat before I do." She held the sandwich out, and Ritika accepted it with mock suspicion.

As Ritika took a bite, Mary rested her chin on her hand, watching her fondly. "You know, you're the only one Lexi listens to. She sees you as her little sister. Honestly, I think she spoils you more than Dharna does."

Ritika smiled, chewing slowly. "That's because Lexi doesn't make me do homework or scold me for staying up late."

Mary laughed, the sound filling the sterile room with warmth. "True. Dharna's the responsible one. I'm just the fun aunt who sneaks in sweets."

The two shared a quiet moment, Ritika nibbling at her sandwich while Mary pretended to steal a piece, earning a playful swat on the hand.

For a while, the hospital didn't feel so heavy. It was just two friends - one human, one wolf - keeping Ritika company, turning worry into laughter.