Camping deep in the woods, Eric is jolted awake by the sound of dogs barking—hunting dogs. He grabs his belongings and runs, pursued by a pack of charging hounds and armed men on horseback. While trying to escape, Eric comes across a wolf caught in a steel trap. Seeing the animal is frightened rather than aggressive, he releases it. The wolf bolts into the forest just as the horsemen arrive. One of them, Bill, bearing a vicious scar across his face, is furious. He strikes Eric down with the butt of his rifle before Dawson, riding alongside him, intervenes and pulls him back.

Later, at the ranch, Rogan pays the hunters a visit. He learns they are tracking a wolf and asks to join the hunt, but they refuse. Before leaving, Rogan hands Bill a few silver bullets, warning him that some wolves take more than bluster to bring down.

Out in the woods, the wolf Eric saved returns—and befriends him. The two spend the night by a campfire, sharing roasted snake while Eric talks to the wolf as though it were an old companion. He wonders why the rancher is so intent on killing it, but only Bill and the wolf know that truth: Bill once slaughtered the wolf’s cubs, and the wolf retaliated, leaving the scar that fuels Bill’s hatred.

As darkness falls, Bill is still out hunting. He finds Eric alone in the woods and levels his rifle at him, silver bullet chambered thanks to Rogan. Bill warns him he’d better die easy—because when Eric’s wolf rises, Bill will get more than a scar.