What Lyall needs, more than any else, is to be at home, where he'd have expected this. Have been properly prepared, properly caged and attended to by a claviger and able to weather the change with at least some dignity. Barring that, he needs to be at the farmhouse.

But in this state, he cannot explain nor even fully understand this; he whines, ears flickering. He is confused and hungry and utterly lonely. He wants Biffy. He wants pack.

This man he does not want to kill does not run despite his fear, but he isn't challenging. The wolf Lyall sweeps his tail from side to side slowly, eyes wary. This is not an enemy and he cannot bring himself to call him food. But nothing here is friend, quite.

He edges sideways, toward the opening of the alley. He doesn't want to hurt the man either. He simply wants to leave.