Human Pet
To the High-born, the aristocracy of the Empire, with ten thousand decades of civilization behind them, Earthmen were mere "Wolfling," barely human curiosities. Jim Keil amused and intrigued them, so he was brought to the Throne World to perform - like any other trained animal - his simple tricks.
But perhaps the Empire had ruled too long and too comfortably. Jim Keil had sharp eyes for the sign of decay and inertia that pervaded the Throne World. The time would come when the High-born would learn that their pet had dangerous claws.