The call of the wild always sounded loudly in the ears of Greg Jones. In his youth many dismissed him as a typical dumb jock - a high school football star known for his wild temper, fierce competitive spirit and honed physical strength. Only a few, among them Amy - his teenage sweetheart, knew that his raging soul felt more at peace when walking through quiet forest trails, that he could be just as happy watching the Discovery channel as ESPN.

A blazing row with his mother and step-father severed family ties after Greg dropped out of college to follow Amy on her career path to Utah. While she pursued a life in finance, Greg found casual work as a park attendant. He found unexpected joy in the work and, with dedication and perseverance, won the professional qualifications necessary to register as a National Park Ranger. Soon after, his proposal of marriage was accepted and it looked as though he had found the quiet stability to finally sooth his angry passions.

But his peace was not to last. As Amy’s career flourished, she wound up working longer and longer hours - intruding into the time that Greg wanted as his own. His jealousy and resentment grew and soon began to plague his thoughts even when he walked alone through the tranquil parks. With his mind in turmoil and the Full Moon shining brightly, Greg headed to Amy’s office to confront her, angry after yet another cancelled dinner date. This was the mistake that changed his life. The sight of his fiancée alone in the office with another man triggered not only his First Change, but also the insanity of the Death Rage. The bloody night would end with two innocent deaths.

Greg ran - sometimes on two legs, sometimes on four - charging blindly into the night in an attempt to flee from his shame, horror and guilt. Somehow he made it across the Rockies and finally collapsed in exhaustion at the foot of the great peak known to the Uratha as Sakendar Isi. He was found by the werewolf called Iron Soul who, perhaps surprisingly, did not expel the intruder, but took him in, helped him regain his strength and taught him the ways of the Hunters in Darkness.