Every four years, two gangs of wolves would meet under a full moon to celebrate “The Mustering” Hunters and Hikers called it this because the journey the wolves would take was grueling, excruciating.

But year after year, the two packs would meet anyway. The only pack in recorded history to do so.

Recently however, they didn’t. People around the world wondered why, so a silent panic settled into the hearts and minds of people united in this one phenomenon.

Searching for answers, a rag-tag research team went into the Nombre Forest for answers. One of them was a wildlife expert, the other a mountain climber, and one more an etymologist.

Deep into the woods they found a small village, not uncommon in Nombre Forest because it was a reservation. What was uncommon though, was the presence of one older man, sitting within a tiny hut at the center of the village. Every single one of the other huts was abandoned, some in haste, others like they were never even inhabited in the first place.

As they approached, he offered them a seat inside. Upon settling, they realized he was packing as well.

The old man explained he’s been here alone for years, because he too, was fascinated by the wolves. He claims his people inherited the history of the animals, and told the story which was translated by the etymologist.

He said, roughly, that the wolves started meeting years ago when two wolves from opposite packs were stranded, because his people were afflicted by a winter famine and desperate for food.

They were forced to band together, alone for exactly 4 years, until one day one of the wolves passed away from old wounds. The other wolf stayed there, howling at the full moon, until, by some miracle, the two packs eventually came at the sound. Upon arrival however, the lone wolf collapsed from exhaustion, from pure grief, the old man said.

Ever since, the wolves would meet again every four years.

After finishing the story, the old man said it was his time to go too. Most of his people already migrated elsewhere, carrying the memories of their lineage with them. But he decided to stay out of respect, rememberance of the pain his people caused those wolves.

Suddenly, upon his closing words, a cacophony of howls erupted from the forest, from every direction.

The manly promptly, but slowly got up, and simply said in English

“It is my time to go. I’m exhausted”

He asked the team not to follow him when he left, and watched as the forest filled with glowing eyes eventually subsided into nothing.

The following morning, the mountain climber led the way, with the wildlife expert noticing the human tracks disappearing further into the forest, being replaced by the tracks of wolves as they neared the cliff side where the two packs would always meet.

Upon arrival, they noticed the man’s bag, along with two fur coats layed gently on the ground beside each other.