Andromeda

Born Year 0, beginning of Spring
Founded "Pack of Wandering Spirits" one year later
Gen l
Familiar: Raven
Family: Daughter of nomadic parents, sister of Shrike (Lostwood Pack), mother of Raven, Nightfall, Yuki, and Sikhan
Relationships: best friends with Cardinal
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Andromeda's parents were nomadic before they settled down with a family, and in their travels whilst the mother was pregnant, they ran into an old wolf who claimed to be a fortune teller, one who could speak directly to the spirits. Intrigued, they asked for a fortune related to their unborn children. As soon as the old wolf touched her swollen belly, she reeled back as if burned, shaking and haggard. She explained, frantic, that their daughter was special, chosen by the spirits and destined for greatness. The couple was dubious, and continued on their way without giving it much thought.

That all changed, however, when they gave birth under the light of the Andromeda constellation, and one of the pups looked as though she had stars intertwined in her fur. She returned to normal, but that was all the new parents needed to believe what the fortune teller had told them.

The two pups grew up normally enough. They were both quiet and independent, and though they played together when they were young, that changed as they grew older. They began butting heads more often, and Andromeda couldn't understand why he seemed to resent her so. It wasn't until he had left, the two of them merely 6 months old, that she finally understood. Their parents always doted on her so much, only treating Shrike like an afterthought. She yelled at her parents when he left, but deep down she knew who was truly at fault. The truth felt like a thorn in her heart.

Shortly before she turned a year old, her parents came to her with the story of the fortune teller. They told her that she was a chosen one, and had some special connection to the spirits. They believed she was old enough to know now, and that they were so proud of her. But Andromeda only felt ill. This was why they favored her so much, over their own son? They were proud of her for something she hadn't even done yet, may never do, never wanted. If she wasn't some "chosen one", would they still love her the same? The questions and thoughts piled up until she felt like she was suffocating, but she only nodded numbly as they spoke. 

I never wanted this. It was the only thing she could think as she went to sleep that night. The silence left from Shrike's departure all those moons ago felt all the louder in their previously shared den. She couldn't handle it anymore. The expectations. The guilt. The shame. Before she could change her mind, Andromeda stood, padding out of the cave and leaving the home she had known for all her life.
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As Andromeda fell asleep in a makeshift den that night, she dreamed of a mountainous land she'd never seen. There was a strange, blurry figure off in the distance. "Andromeda," said a voice. "It's time. Andromeda..."

"Andromeda?" The wolf in question woke with a jolt, relaxing when she recognized the figure standing in the entryway. It was Cardinal, her best friend since adolescence. His family had lived nearby, but their untimely death left him to live on his own and sustain himself. "What are you doing out here?"

Andromeda could lie. She could tell him to go home, not say why she's out here. But she was tired and scared and confused, so instead she invited him in and fell asleep with her nose in his fur.

The next time she awoke it was to the harsh crow of a raven outside, dawn spilling into the den. The pair exited, but the raven didn't fly away like they'd expected it to. Instead, it hopped several steps away before turning and looking back at them. "I think we should follow it," Andromeda said, feeling an odd pull towards the bird. Cardinal huffed a laugh at that, but didn't argue.

They followed the raven until dawn became evening, the sun setting behind them. A sudden gust of wind caused Andromeda to screw her eyes up, and when she opened them again, the raven was gone, replaced by another wolf who introduced herself as Tala. She looked as though she had stars in her fur, and the aura of power surrounding her made her sentiment that she had "always guided wolves in this area and always will" feel far more truthful.

And guide them she did. After several days travel, the trio came upon a mountainous region that looked exactly like the one in Andromeda's dream. She immediately knew this was where she wanted to be. She wasn't sure about starting her own pack, like Tala had suggested, but she wouldn't mind living out her days here.

That night she had the same dream she had at the beginning of winter, though this time the figure was far closer and clearer. He too had stars in his fur, and an aura of power and importance. "Welcome, Andromeda," he said, voice low and rumbling. "We're excited to finally have you." He explained that he was Yahmtaba, the Spirit of these mountains, and that she had the unique ability to see and communicate with them. The raven flew back, and Yahmtaba explained that it was her Familiar, her guide to the spirit world. "But why?" she asked, "I never wanted this" ringing in her head. "What does this all mean?" "Patience, young one," Yahmtaba soothed, pressing his muzzle to her head. Darkness closed in, and she jolted awake beside Cardinal. Shakily, she nudged him awake, and told him everything for the first time. "So... you really are a chosen one, then?" he mused, expression stuck between amusement and thoughtfulness. "I guess I am..." she replied, the gravity of the situation weighing on her. With a deep breath, she decided to take it one step at a time. If she had some special ability, no matter how much she wished to reject it, she may as well use it to help those in her same situation. Those who felt confused and alone. Lost souls. And so the Pack of Wandering Spirits was formed.