"I wasn't planning on letting him inside," Crozier says, not wanting Rama to think he's just in the habit of letting in stray animals. He has far more sense than that.

He shakes his head a little but keeps scratching and petting the wolf. Honestly, it's a little soothing. Poor Neptune had been neglected in those final years, but he had loved the beast. He just wished he'd shown it better, given him a little more affection and attention. He wished he hadn't let him wander off in that goddamned camp.

"Mutt jumped up and licked my face, then dashed in before I could swat it back out. He must be someone's pet." He also doesn't sound very thrilled at the prospect. "We'll leave the door open, he might go back the way he came."

That way neither of them have to go to Milton and ask around after a wolf.