This "pack" isn't actually a pack at all but more so a set of four different councils. Each council holds each type of werebear located within Alaska and is the largest group of werebears in the United States.
There are a total of eight werebear species in the world BUT only 4 kinds are in the United States. This is the Four Claws.
The group is split into four groups:
The First, Second, Third, and Fourth claw. Each "Claw" is supposed to signify that all these groups are considered equal but each one has their defining traits. There are a few similarities which will be stated first.
•Each group has a leader. Unlike a wolf pack, these leaders are called either Prince or Princess. These titles are the same equivalent to an Alpha. When referred to with this title they use their last name instead of first names.
If you use their first name when addressing them it is considered such a disrespect that physical punishment may be considered. You have to be given very very specific approval to use the first name for anyone of these higher titles.
The Prince(ess) what governs the group are the leader, the head fighter, and is in charge of their entire group. They do not need advisors or a second in command.
•Every group has a total of four wolves. These wolves have to be a mated pair and if they have children they are sent away to join any nearby packs. These four wolves are here in case any packs wish to visit. They are advisors for the Goddess and they are also here as ice breakers in case things become too hostile between wolves and bears. These four wolves also mark the territory of the group they are in. They do not have to attend meetings if they don't wish too. Whoever these four wolves are, are treated with high respect for being apart of the group.
•Each group has their individual "lands" but each one is connected to a large building directly between them. This building is the center of each of the four groups and is the home to each leader of the groups. Each prince or princess sleeps under the same roof on the lowest floor. This house is also used for meetings and the two upper floors are reserved for guests of visiting packs.
The First Claw
The First Claw is the considered the most wise of the four. It is also the oldest. As tradition to being part of this group at least once in your life you must shave your head. The reason is because this group believes that by shaving your head at least once is shedding away your human self and becoming more with your bear. The First Claw is the smallest group and has a tendency to spread out away from one another instead of sticking too close. This group is the Polar Bears. They are wise, intelligent, and considerably more peaceful than the other four claws. Anything needed to know about werebears can be found with them.
The Second Claw
The second and third claw can be confusing. Being both brown pelted bears can be hard to figure out who is who. The Second claw is reserved for Brown bears and are considered the more religious and spiritual bears. Relating closer to their God, the Bear Prince, they are considered readers of the northern lights. It is said they can read the souls of bears, wolves, and other were-species to read someone's true intentions. You can hide yourself but never your soul. These bears are usually the first ones someone will encounter when wanting to enter the joined territories. They will read you before you step foot into any lands.
The Third Claw
As stated before it can get very confusing between the second and third claws. Being two groups of the same species-this one being the sub-species, it can be hard to tell the difference. Being Grizzly bears means this group is by far is most aggressive. This group is considered the protectors of the other three. The Third Claw is the second largest group out of the four. These bears are all power houses with a more wild attitude than the rest. They're constantly fighting, shoving, and attacking one another but in the end they make for great warriors. They are the last thing that you might want to run in to. They are usually stationed as guards.
The Fourth Claw
The fourth claw is the smallest in physical size but definitely largest in group size. The fourth claw is the Black Bears. Smaller than the rest allows them to be more stealthy and agile hunters. This group is known for their extravagant feasts. They are the most laid back out of the four simply because their only job is to hunt and provide for the others. Seeing as they can gather what they need in a weeks time, rest for two weeks, then continue the cycle they are the most relaxed. They linger around with the Third Claw group for extra fighting skills but like most they usually stay to themselves.
Every group can merge into the other. They're all part of the same land that is split into four groups to define who is who. Everyone lives in harmony, peace, and equality.
Bear Laws & Ways
The number one law for everyone in these groups is pure secrecy. For most of the world, other were species think werebears no longer exist. Or maybe that they hadn't in the first place. When a new Alpha of a pack is appointed they are the ONLY ones informed of the Four Claws. This information is given from one Alpha to the one taking their place. If an Alpha wins a fight or is victorious when taking over another pack then one of the wolves from the groups is sent down to be an informant.
If an Alpha refuses the wolf or ignores the information given then it is simply lost and that pack will have no knowledge about the Four Claws.
When it comes to mate-ship it is much different for a bear than a wolf. Yes, a bear can technically have a partner but they do not have a mate bond UNLESS a wolf happens to see a bear as their mate. Yes, a true mate bond can happen but a bear cannot feel it as strongly unless they are marked by a wolf. By the laws of the wolf they can mend this bond between both wolf and bear but it is extremely uncommon. To follow up with this way, if a wolf does mark a bear, they are considered a bear to the Four Claws. They will be treated as a friend. A bear DOES have the ability to mark and mend that mark between a wolf. The venom used will only come to be if they are marked first by a wolf.
If a rouge bear is found in another territory outside of the Four Claws it is considered to happen for a reason. Bears are considered sacred but they do not give themselves up to a pack willingly. Usually when a bear is given to the packs by the Goddess or the Bear Prince it is random. A bear cannot simply go into a pack, change, and say it was a gift by the goddess. Most of the time when a bear stumbles upon a wolf pack and is meant to be in that pack their shift will be forceful. If a bear is dormant it can remain that way in the presence of many werewolves but can be triggered if their soul is meant to be bound to be something or someone specific. By the laws, if a bear is gift given to a pack by the will of the gods, then the Alpha of the pack has full rights to keep them.
The Four Claws has complete neutrality with every pack. It is how they maintain secrecy and not an all out war with anyone.
Whenever someone in their group reaches the age of eighteen they are meant to get one of these four tattoos. Each one is a symbol of their claw placement.
Each one is has a number by what Claw group they are associated with. It is also a common practice if a wolf is mated with a bear they get one of these tattoos. It's not forced but highly encouraged as these tattoos are a sign of The Warrior God. With this tattoo you aren't not only considered a wolf but considered a bear.
A bear doesn't have to submit to an Alpha or the way of the wolf. They do however, offer their submission and protection to their mate if they are mated with a wolf. This submission means they are forfeiting themselves to a pack rather than being on their own. Even if an Alpha keeps the bear gifted to them that bear does not have to bow down to them. The bear and the wolf are Equal. If they do forfeit themselves to a pack it is natural instinct to be a protector.
Lastly, when a bear emerges into a pack territory it isn't long until a letter is sent directly to an Alpha. With this being uncommon, this letter, is uncommon.
In this letter it will directly state that the Alpha of the pack can give up information of the Four Claws to trusted members of their pack ONLY. It will also state that the bear of their pack alongside a few members they trust will be sent to Alaska in a seven day time period. This is to teach the bear the way of their kind and to inform the trusted members the ways of the bear children.
