A human outsider

The eight looked at the wolf, at me, at my arm, and then at Ben. Jim opened his mouth to say something and clamped it shut.

"Derek," Ben called.

The wolf glanced at him. The blaze of Ben's eyes seared him and he sat still, mesmerized. Ben made a strange sound, half growl, half word, but an unmistakable command.

The wolf shuddered. Ben repeated the order. The wolf shook harder, his lean body convulsing, and whined weakly.

The lord of the shapechangers glared at me.

"Release him."

"Is that a request or an order?"

A twitch ran through Ben's face as if the lion in him wanted to claw its way out.

"It's a request," he said.

I kneeled by the wolf and touched his thick fur, making contact with the skin underneath. The beast trembled.

"Is the room warded with containment?"

Ben nodded. I looked at the wolf and whispered, "Dair."

Release.