Deep in the woods, Shooting Star slunk through the trees, nostrils flared. Someone was burning tobacco. And he had a good idea who. His daughter, Iris, the heir to his throne, fancied the omega's eldest son, Fireweed. Iris must make a good match, and her image would be ruined if she was bred by Fireweed.
Unfortunately for Shooter, that's what he found. Growling, he slunk around the couple. "Leave," he ordered suddenly. "I don't need your image tarnishing my pack."
Iris begged. "Oh, father, I might not even conceive. There's almost no risk!"
"Your reputation," he responded. "And I'm nearly sure my luck will cause you to give birth in a few weeks."
Fireweed rolled onto his back, waving the flag of surrender. Upside down, he said as reasonably as he could, "We'll give you the pups for fodder, how 'bout?"
Shooter hesitated. 'Fodder' was a common term for pups given in situations such as this, used for paying debts and multiplying in times of need. He had a few pups promised to him this year and next, but a whole litter…
Iris caught sight of his face and agreed enthusiastically. And the deal was made.
Iris did indeed conceive, and the story was put out that she had been assaulted and the pups were condemned to fodder as a result of their ill breeding. Nine were born, two dead, and the remaining seven Iris named. The three boys became Indigo, Coal, and Jett. The four girls were named Ash, Sage, Ivory, and Silver.
The pups were ignorant of their parents' promise, and spent their puppyhood summer with the other pups until their first birthday. Immediately, Shooter got to work parceling the pups out over the next eight months.
Indigo was sold for a fair sum at market, Coal was given to the presidential pack in the area as tithe, and Jett was given to the homeless wolves group that roamed the area. Jett bought Shooter his pick of two young females, dubbed Grouse and Fern.
Shooter's conscience had caught up with him, and Grouse and Fern were used as payment for his debts. He offered his remaining granddaughters a deal. They could either stay in the pack, keep their choice pups of each litter, and let him have the rest, have him set up a match for them, join a different pack as an alpha or a beta, and give Shooter half of their first and every third litter after that, or continue being fodder.
Sage, as a momma's girl, chose to remain in the pack. Ash and Ivory decided to become alphas or betas of another pack. Silver refused to make a choice, knowing any of them would confine her to a life of slavery.
She ran away, and met Amaroq in the homeless pack. She fought him, fell in love with him, and bred with him. They collected betas and omegas, and began their own pack. Soon, though, Silver realized that Shooter's decisions had been hard and for the good of everyone. Her own first litter ended up parceled out all except a precious son, Kapu.
Kapu grew up to be a strong, handsome adolescent. But unfortunately, his stats were subpar, and when an offer was made for him, Silver was forced to accept. She gave birth to another litter not long after: three darling pups. But she refused to get attached. All were immediately prepared for sale.
Despite her promise to not get attached, one pup died and she mourned the loss, though she didn't let the remaining two see her sorrow, and she resolved to continue with her original plans of sale. Then her daughter died, and her dam broke. She and her remaining son became very close, and she promised him a nice new family where he could be more than a second-place omega.
Tears from the Moon [Blue]