Howling at the Moons

Introduction to the Rules of my Furry World

A/N: This is an informational chapter - the basic rules to my werewolf AU. I think this info will be helpful, since werewolf stories vary so much on world rules.

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Most children have their first shifts between ages 8-10.

Children first shift into the wolf pup forms. Their initial weight is usually weigh around 10-15 pounds. Pups usually double their weigh within 6-8 weeks and continue growing from there. It usually takes 2 ½ - 3 years for their wolf forms to grow to adulthood. Their adult wolf forms coincide with the start of puberty for most children.

After their first shift, which is completely involuntary, wolves can control their shifts except under extreme circumstances, like life threatening pain or overwhelming emotional distress.

Alphas (male or female) usually make up about 5-10% of the population of a pack. About 5-10 births out of 100.

Female Omegas usually make up about 5-10% of the population of a pack. About 5-10 births out of 100.

Male Omegas are rare. Most packs have never seen one. Birth rate possibly as low as 1 in every 10,000 Omega births.

Adult Alphas in wolf form usually weigh in around 150 pounds and are about 3 feet (36 inches) tall at the shoulder.

Adult Omegas in wolf form usually weigh in around 25 pounds and are about 12 – 15 inches tall at the shoulder.

There are many rankings in a wolf pack beyond Alpha, Beta and Omega. Most wolves fall in the normal or middle rankings of the hierarchy and fill a variety of roles. Your place in the pack hierarchy is sorted out between first shift and puberty, but there are personality traits and clues you can see while kids are growing which give hints about their future pack roles / rankings.

All Omegas bring out the protective instinct in almost all wolves due to their wolf size, which remains in the pup stage their entire lives, their pup scent, and their emotional connection to the pack. However, male Omegas bring on almost of frenzy of this protective instinct. Their emotional link is so strong to their pack members, that most would prefer to be killed than to allow their male Omega to suffer any injury. Even non-pack members feel the protective urges around a strong Omega.

Omegas are necessary for pack health because of their emotional connection to the pack. Omegas have a higher sensitivity to emotions and can feel the emotions of other wolves either through the pack link or by being in close proximity. They can also project ('leak') emotions onto the pack generally to a lesser degree.

Strong female Omegas can feel pack members within a radius of about 50-75 feet and can feel non-pack wolves within a radius of about 20-30 feet. They can also project emotions on others in the pack within a radius of about 30 feet, and to non-pack members within a radius of about 5 feet; with varying degrees of success based on individual strength.

Weak female Omegas can feel pack members within a radius of about 20-30 feet and can feel non-pack wolves within a radius of about 5 feet. They can also project emotions on others in the pack within a radius of about 10 feet, and to non-pack members only by touch; with varying degrees of success based on individual strength.

Male Omegas (Wayo) can feel the emotions of every pack member through the pack link – distance is not a factor and they can feel non-pack within an undetermined radius (1). Males Omegas can also project their emotions onto all members through the pack link, and to non-pack members within a radius of about 1 mile (2).

(1) This has never been determined since Wayo is usually trying to block out the emotions of others since they can be overwhelming.

(2) This has also never been determined conclusively since they have simply never tried testing to a farther distance.

Wolves are immune to most human diseases and cannot carry or pass STDs onto others. Also, only mated wolf pairs can breed, so unmated wolves can't produce children. Due to these facts, unmated wolves tend to be very promiscuous and sleep with many partners, including partners of the same sex.

After the age of 18 wolves can 'scent' their mates if they are within range. Mates can be different ages, so a wolf over 18 might know they are mated to a younger wolf. However, they can either choose to tell their younger partner or they can wait till their mate turns 18, so they can discover the truth themselves. This decision generally involves the family of the younger wolf and the older wolf making the choice together.

Mates are looked at as gifts given by the Moon Goddess. Wolves only get one true mate during their lifetime. Mated pairs can consist of male x female, male x male, and female x female. There is almost no bigotry in the packs, and prejudice against same sex pairings seldom happens since you have no idea what mate the Moon Goddess has chosen for you until you meet them. Also there is almost no mate rejection since you only get one chance for a mate.

Mating process and Mating Marks. Both partners are marked in the mating process. During sex, nearing climax the dominant partners teeth will elongate in preparation to administer the 'Mating Mark' which begins the bonding process. Right before climax, the dominant partner bites into the shoulder of the submissive partner which will trigger the submissive's own 'bite reflex'. The bite is held through climax while the bond literally snaps into place. It generally takes a few days for the bond to form completely and settle. During those first few days, the new mates will feel the overwhelming need to re-enforce the bond with skin-to-skin contact and sex. This 2-3 day time period is usually referred to as Mating Heat.

Mated pairs tend to be very monogamous because of the mating bond and link, which allows them to feel the other's emotions and talk to each other through their mating link. This varies depending on the partners individual strengths. Also, mated pairs tend to be extremely jealous and protective of their partners.

All wolves are stronger, faster, and have better reflexes than humans. They also more powerful senses such as sight, hearing and smell. Wolves heal faster than humans and are immune to most human diseases. Wolf life spans also tend be longer than humans' due to their enhanced healing abilities. 

08.29.2017