Mate

Pack Rankings

((I probably should have done this before Chapter One but hey, no body is perfect and I forgot! I read werewolf novels all the time and nearly every one is different in three major ways: first is how the rank system works within and without the packs, second is what the "inner wolf" is like, and third is how they mate. So I thought I should let my dear readers know how my world works))

First off let us start by telling you how mates work in my world since it is such an important part of my book. I have gone with a classic approach with the mates. Mates identify each other by smell, an irresistible smell that causes them to be compelled to find the source. They do compete the mating with marking each other and forming a personal mindlink. IF one mate rejects another my Moon Goddess has made it so (depending on the reason of the rejection) only the rejected wolf can find a second chance mate. Also my Moon Goddess is not so cruel to second chance mates as some stories. Second chance mates can only be formed if both wolves have been rejected by their mates or have lost their mate to death.

Ok lets us move on to the "inner wolf". In my world they do have a wolf inside, but its not so complex as two separate personalities in one body. It is more along the lines of a part of them is primal and wild and able to "talk" to them. By talk I mean that a part of them is always wolf and processes the world as a wolf, sending images, feelings, and sometimes words to their human mind. There are rare exceptions where two entities exist within the were, but that is usually because of a mixed heritage.

And last but not least: Pack Rankings.

My wolves rank themselves according to AGGRESSION. To my wolves aggression and possessiveness are linked. The more aggressive the wolf the higher the rank and the more aggressive the wolf the higher the need to protect is. We will give this rank list in order of top to bottom of a pack and then move on to non pack wolves.

Alpha wolves are the top of the food chain, they are the most aggressive wolf in the pack and the most possessive. They feel the intense need to protect every wolf in their pack and will not stand other wolves trying to protect what is theirs.

Luna wolves are the mates of alpha wolves. Sometimes they share in the aggression of their mate but they always share in the possessiveness, their need to protect the pack if not always the same way as their mate. Most Luna wolves feel the need to protect not the physical safety of the pack like the Alpha does but the emotional integrity of the pack.

Beta wolves are right below the Alpha of their pack, one Beta per pack. They are the Alpha wolf's right hand. ((I should tell you dear readers that the way my ranks work is that the wolves lower down the chain feel no need to be aggressive or possessive to those of higher rank, that is until their wolf "levels up" and seeks to climb a rank or two))

Theta wolves are the meat of the pack, meaning they make up the vast majority of the pack. They have their own "ranks" among themselves. The Warrior Theta class is the top of the Thetas. These are the wolves who, when needed, follow their Alpha and Beta into battle. Runner Theta class is the second rank within the Thetas. These are the wolves who both hunt for the pack and scout out enemy territory. And the last rank of the Thetas is the Open Theta. These are the wolves who are among the low rankings of their pack. Usually they fill the odd jobs such as doctors, cooks, cleaners, and teachers.

Submissive wolves are rare, packs with two or more are considered very lucky indeed. Although they are rare they are essential to pack life. Submissive wolves have no aggression, They feel no need to challenge or protect other wolves. With no aggressive vibes coming off them even the lowest Theta wolf feels the need to protect them without reservation. Submissive wolves keep the pack from tearing itself apart, they dispel the fear all wolves have of a rank challenge, at least to the wolves within the immediate vicinity.

Omega wolves. They are the rarest of the rare. As of book start there are only three packs worldwide with an Omega. They are the wolves who like Submissive wolves calm the pack but in a more intense way. One Omega wolf can inspire the need to protect not only in the whole pack, from Alpha to Submissive, but also in wolves outside of their pack. Omega wolves are shy and scared because their wolf is defenseless to any attack, both physical and mental.

Ok now we are leaving the ranks of pack wolves. The next few ranks are packless wolves, by choice or by force.

Rouge wolves are wolves who have gone Moon Mad. They have lost all shreds of their humanity and are nothing more than mindless beasts bent on creating a rage fueled bloodbath. Most Rouge wolves are made from the loss of a mate or a physiological trauma caused by an overdose of wolfsbane.

Loner wolves are those who, by choice, left their pack or never had a pack to begin with. They are wolves who are still in control of themselves and often have no desire to seek out pack life. Often times Loner wolves run solely in their wolf form and live off the land. Some packs have documented finding a Loner wolf who has joined a wild wolf pack.

Outcast wolves are the last on this list. They are somewhere between a Rouge and a Loner, having been cast out of their pack for a crime they are half mad with the forcible loss of their pack bonds. They seek out packs to join because if they remain without a pack for too long they become Rouge wolves.