Wolf of Shadows is not just about animals' struggles against human destructiveness. Of the few important characters in the book half are human and half are wolves. This fact echoes the thought with which Strieber opens the book: "This book is dedicated to the hope that children and wolves have a future."

The Wolf of Shadows is a great black wolf. From his earliest days he differed from other wolves because of his large size, his color, and pale eyes. As he comes to maturity he leaves his home pack, which does not want to accept a wolf who appears so different from the rest of them. Since wolves are social animals, this is hard for him. While growing to maturity, he hangs around on the edge of their circle, observing, lonely, sometimes being challenged but unwilling either to fight seriously for his place...