Arista as a pup is curious, enthusiastic and affectionate. She is taken in by her handler Artem when the Adoption Centre closes for refurbishment, and immediately bonds with him. She is nurtured by his older tokotas and soon proves herself a keen explorer with great survival skills.

When Artem is taken ill, Arista makes a pilgrimage to an ancient Shrine of Aippaq to fetch healing herbs for him. On the way, she passes through the White Forest, where she meets Nanook. She follows the elder tokota to the Soul Pool, and recieves a vision of a bear rising from its waters. Upon retrieving the herbs she seeks, Aippaq speaks to her, commending her loyalty and courage, and she ascends to Dominant status.

By this time, Arista has grown close to her packmate Ivaylo. Artem decides that parenthood would suit both of them well, and arranges a breeding. Arista and Ivaylo are delighted with their litter of pups, and set about raising them to be strong, independant and intelligent. But in the years that follow, a gang of Smugglers begin to encroach upon their territory and pose a significant danger to all of Kanqisat.

Together, Arista, Ivaylo and Artem organise an investigation and set about catching and expelling the Smugglers. The gang's recklessness leads to the displacement of the Desna pack, and a fierce forest fire which envelops much of Aqtuquaq; Arista helps to put the fire out, and her pack lead the charge to replant the forest in the aftermath. As the last of the gang are put on trial, Arista and Ivaylo ascend to Alpha status. 

As an Alpha, Arista is fair, compassionate and protective of her packmates. Though one of the younger tokotas, she leads with wisdom far beyond her years; however, she still has plenty of the inquisitiveness and energy that has always served her well. She now helps Artem to chart the caves that snake beneath Iluq Forest, monitoring animal populations and defeating the elementals that try to disturb the balance of nature.