Five wolf pups are born, but only one survives. The lone pup and its mother must fend for themselves when the pup's father is killed by a lynx.

Later, the pair is discovered by Native Americans. Grey Beaver, who recognizes the she-wolf as his late brother's wolfdog, adopts the pup and names him 'White Fang.' Targeted by the other pups in the Native American camp before being sold to a dog fighter, White Fang grows to be fierce, distrustful, and morose.