Wolf in Shadow

The bleak world adds so much weight to the characters' choices. I'm curious whether the setting was designed to amplify their struggles or if it evolved naturally during writing.

The wolf appears in ways that seem to represent freedom, danger, or the shadow of the hero. What do others think the wolf stands for in the story?

It's a unique mix that keeps the story fresh and unpredictable. I wonder if there was a particular event or idea that sparked this combination.