PROLOGUE

The biting wind whipped across the snow-dusted enclosure, carrying with it the mournful howl of the wolf pack. Midori, bundled in her thick winter coat, barely registered the cold. Her gloved hand gently stroked the fur of the alpha female, a comforting weight against her leg. Even as a child, she'd felt more at home here, amongst the wolves in this tiny zoo nestled in the Japanese countryside, than anywhere else.

This wasn't just any zoo. It was the smallest in the world, a quirky claim to fame for the sleepy town it resided in. But for Midori, it was a universe of its own. The wolves, with their complex social structures and primal instincts, were her first teachers. They taught her patience, the art of observation, the subtle language of body and expression. They showed her the strength in a pack, the unwavering loyalty, the fierce protection of their own.

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These were lessons that would serve her well beyond the confines of the zoo. Years later, when Midori, now a doctor, found herself selected for the rigorous astronaut training program, she realized the wolves had been preparing her all along. The meticulous care she'd given to injured cubs translated to the precision demanded in space. The hours spent deciphering the wolves' intricate communication mirrored the complexities of spacecraft systems. And the quiet leadership she'd observed in the alpha pair instilled in her a confidence that set her apart from the other candidates.

As she prepared for her mission, gazing at the stars from her childhood haven, the wolves' howls echoed through the night. They were a chorus of encouragement, a primal symphony urging her to reach for the moon. And Midori, with the spirit of the wolves burning bright within her, was ready to answer their call.