Who is Wolves from Brian's Winter and what is their importance?

There is a wolf that often passes Brian's camp as it circles its hunting grounds. This wolf begins bringing a young wolf with it as winter approaches. Brian sees the wolves mark their territory just above his camp and he marks the same place to warn the wolves to stay away. Brian believes that this is going to keep him safe. Later, Brian sees the wolves shortly after they have killed a deer and taken all the meat they can from it. Brian salvages the rest of the deer and provides meals for himself for weeks. Toward the end of winter, Brian witnesses a couple of wolves take down and eat a moose while it continues to live, reminding him how savage the animals are and the danger they pose to his safety.