The Role of the Pack

Just as humans belong to families, other species in nature belong to groups of their own kind. As a wolf, Wander is part of a pack. His relationships with his siblings, parents, and other members of the pack are an important part of his life. The relationship with his pack begins before he can even see. He learns the smell of his mother, including the odors she brings into their tunnel from the outside. As he grows, he continues to interact and depend on other members of the pack. Finally, his journey to adulthood culminates with establishing a pack of his own.

Wander's closest relationship is arguably with Mother, and he feels he knows every aspect of her smell by the time the pups are allowed outside the tunnel for the first time. When Mother allows them to leave the tunnel, Wander...