Nightfire

Nightfire. As first pup and heir apparent of the renowned Alpha Asakiri, it was only natural for her to become her own legend and success with time. But things aren't so black and white. For starters, Asakiri didn't start out as the renowned and exalted Alpha she became. No she had an odd start. Chosen by the first alpha, for reasons that were lost to time (biased and prejudice modern-day empirical historians have begun to spread the narrative that Asakiri was chosen for reasons that were…less than pure.) Asakiri started out unsure, naive, and an easy target. The stud male was…far too quick to offer his services to "help" Asakiri legitimize her place with pups, and Asakiri, not knowing better, gave him her first heat. Asakiri was in no uncertain terms, not ready to be both a mother AND a brand new alpha to a pack on the brink of war. She had to pick one to dedicate her focus to, and fortunately for her pack, she chose the pack. Unfortunately for her pup, that meant neglect and struggle to survive. Her litter-brothers and sister died. She became an afterthought. And once grown, a political bargaining chip in her mother's pocket in her quest to bring the pack more power. Thankfully for her, her mother never saw the need to use her that way, despite the multiple offers and pushes from advisers (who were suspected to have only proposed sending her away to marry into another pack as a way of getting rid of an undesirable heir) and her mother never revoked her title as heir apparent even after having pups again, despite these cubs being undoubtedly (even to Nightfire) more loved and stronger than she was.

Things began to change quickly though, after about midway through her life when Asakiri's trusted friend and confidant Fleetfoot tried to overthrow her and bring their pack into the bloodthirsty empire. Many, many wolves died, corrupt advisors and packmates were exposed and killed, and the pack found itself fractured. Asakiri, more unsure than ever, made her controversial deal with the forest spirit and gained the ability to see lies. When Asakiri went to Nightfire, to see where her loyalties lay, she fully expected her daughter to lie to her and be plotting against her. (Asakiri believed she deserved it after all.) But to her shock, her daughter did not lie. She didn't comfort her, she outright told her that, yes, she hated her as a mother. But not as an alpha. She had no plans to betray her.

Asakiri began to visit her daughter more frequently after that. Not as a mother, that bridge had long since burned. But as a pack mate. And eventually as a close friend and confidant.

At the end of Asakiri's rule the two had been discussing the matter of her succession for awhile. Nightfire did not want it, she was well aware she was FAR too old to become the next alpha. She'd only be alpha for maybe a year before old age got her too. But it was a tricky matter. Asakiri's other cubs were also getting older and formed a close knit and effective hunting party. They were the ones who provided almost all the food for the pack, they couldn't just pluck one out of it. They finally came up with a plan. Nightfire's final heat was coming up. They would pick the strongest of her pups as the next alpha. That way no one could claim they were illegitimate. It was quite clever. They would announce it when her pups were born. So on the first night of her final heat, Nightfire slipped away to visit the carefully chosen stud male.

She had no idea that on her return trip a few miles from camp, she'd stumble upon the sight of her mother, her alpha, her FRIEND, mid ambush as she was literally ripped apart by a group of bloodthirsty wolves far from the camp. She was unable to stifle her horror. They had heard her gasp and quickly set upon her, threatening her into submission and having her "escort them" back to camp. She could only cower in fear and silence as the leader of the group, their usurper, Esper, announced to the pack with fake sorrow that she had come across Asakiri and Nightfire being attacked by two mad rouges, drawn by the smell of Nightfire's heat and had stepped in to save them, but her group was "too late in killing the rogues." as Asakiri had fallen while valiantly trying to defend Nightfire and her honor. (explaining away Nightfire's considerably less wounded state when compared to Asakiri's mangled corpse.) Nightfire burned with shame and fury as the pack ate up Esper's words, not even realizing the true end goal of the fake scenario until the matter of who would become the next alpha was raised. Sure enough, Asakiri's strongest pups that made up the hunting party gave up their claim without a second thought. And Nightfire was immediately dismissed as a non option due to age. Nightfire realized Esper meant to make herself out as the perfect solution. A strong wolf with already loyal followers who had tried to save Asakiri and Nightfire despite being strangers? With emotions high like this it was an obvious choice. She quickly began to rise to stake her future pups claim, thinking as long as she could announce her pregnancy, Esper's plan would be foiled. But Esper was quicker and more cunning, seeing Nightfire rise and well aware of what she was going to say.

"Obviously Nightfire's pups should be next in line right? I mean, it's not THEIR fault they were brought about in such…gruesome circumstances…"

Nightfire froze. It took her several seconds to process the implications of what Esper had said. Before she could rebuke the claim though, the pack was already in outrage. No pups of their alpha killer could be accepted as their leader. Her ears folded pack as the pack began to howl for the blood of her innocent unborn over the perceived crime of their sire.

She had fainted then and there. The pack dismissed it as stress and shock of everything that had happened. When she woke the next morning, Alpha Esper and her followers towered over her in the medicine den with wide grins that were anything but comforting. An ear flicked. A quick but short fight. Mysterious herbs were forced down her throat. And then there was darkness. When Nightfire recovered and left the medicine den, she found herself unable to speak a word against Esper's claims. In fact, she couldn't say anything at all. Her eyes were blank and just stared straight ahead. It was like she was a broken marionette. The shock must have rendered her mute and broke her. Poor thing~~~

Only after her pups were born and Esper's culling of the pack did wolves begin to recognize the lies and see true threat. As soon as they were weaned from the catatonic mother, the few remaining loyal Wolves of the Beyond tried to smuggle Nightfire's pups away to safety, recognizing they were the true heirs and therefore it was only a matter of time before Esper got rid of them. Of course this failed, and all but one pup was promptly dispatched. Esper took the remaining pup for herself as she had her own plans for it.

Later that night Esper went to see Nightfire for the last time. She had finally taken nearly everything of value from the she-wolf and had grown bored of her as a puppet. All that remained was her life. And so, being the greedy wolf she was, Esper took that too without hesitation.