Yllka was born into a pack called Oneiropolus (lit., stargazer, dreamer). A pack of devout star worshippers, Yllka's birth caused quite a commotion. Due to the star-shaped patch on her back, they believed Yllka was a star reborn—a blessing from the Night Sky. Thus, the pup was named Astra, meaning “star”. It was a name that was traditionally taboo in their tribe as no wolf was equal to the glory of a star. But the newborn pup Astra was different because she was a star.

Astra's upbringing was unlike any other wolf in her tribe. She was worshipped, revered, and protected. She never had to do anything for herself, though this didn't stop her from trying. She was treated with greater respect than even the alpha! Astra noticed this difference at a very young age, but she wasn't able to embrace her role. She often tried to go hunting with the hunting party, but was often prevented from going.

The leaders of the pack believed that Astra would eventually remember her life as a star when she matured (see: mentally able to handle the knowledge of her past life) and she would bestow great knowledge once her past was realized. Thus they heavily emphasized to her the importance of the study of stars and their lore, believing that in studying her memories might be triggered.

The memories, however, never showed signs of surfacing—and Astra was reaching full maturity. The young she-wolf began to feel the eyes of the pack on her. Whispers began to circulate and Astra began to fear for her life. She didn't know if she was a star reborn; she never felt like one and she never insisted that she was. Still, she felt that she had deceived her family pack by allowing everyone to believe.

One night, Astra searched the stars for a sign. A meteor shower happened that night, and they all tumbled from the sky towards the northern horizon. Watching the stars fall lifted a heavy weight from the young she-wolf's shoulders as she knew now what she must do. She left that night without a second thought, abandoning the name of Astra t'Oneiropola. During her journey north, she found her new identity: Yllka Märchenoper.