Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of animal death.

Within days of the encounter with the porcupine, Thinker dies from his injuries. The pack mourns, all but ignoring Runt. Runt understands that they are disappointed but still feels like they have betrayed him. He tries to comfort himself with the knowledge that he is alive, but this is thwarted by the question of whether “existing on the edge of the pack c[an] be considered living” (75).

After Thinker dies, the pack moves on to a new home, with Runt staying apart from the pack. After some time passes, Helper starts spending time with Runt, teaching him to stalk silently and other important skills. One day, Runt asks why his mother gave him such a cruel name. He is hurt, but not surprised, to learn that his father gave him the name. After several failed hunts, the pack is hungry and tired. When the raven flies in with news of a moose nearby, King rallies the pack and invites the pups to join in the hunt. Runt is determined to prove his worth to everyone, most especially “to the one who had named him Runt” (83).