Experimental development in using wolf-dogs for combat in the Russian military led to the birth of several variations of hybrids, including the mostly wolf twins Subjects 17 and 18, more colloquially called Lapis and Lazuli respectively. While at first the two saw promise thanks to their size and fierce intelligence, their overall viciousness towards other Subjects and handlers alike and refusal to follow their handlers' orders almost led to their euthanization. However, the two were spared from their fate when a favored handler of theirs requested them to be loosed in unfamiliar territory to test the intelligence and adaptability of the hybrids. Soon, Lapis and Lazuli woke up in Alaska, radio collars on their necks, left to survive on the North American continent.

Unfamiliar with the Alaskan wilderness, despite their experience in savage Siberia the two struggled their first winter, attempting to adjust to the new flora and fauna. The struggles of hunting alone were not long suffered by the twins; they met with a familial pack of Arctic wolves: the Apaatas.

While they had a strange language and small bodies, the twins quickly tagged along, slowly learning the language as they moved through the cold land, following the clan, slowly but surely gaining their favor.

In order to finally secure favor with the Apaatas, the two offered to scout out new territories in Teekon Wilds, becoming the vanguard of the pack.