Born Wolves
Taxonomy
Werewolves are the decedents of fae and humans. While the specific fae ancestry of werewolves is unknown, it is generally accepted that they were some kind of wolf shifter. Although some parabiologists point to werewolves' unique relationship to the moon as evidence that their fae ancestor was likely not of the shifter variety.
The origin of werewolves has been successfully narrowed down to around or before the Last Glacial Maximum to the Siberian mountains. The werewolves' appearance closely follows the human domestication of dogs. It's been theorized that early werewolves in fact did not live in their own packs, but rather lived along side humans.
A tribe or group would have benefitted greatly from the addition of a werewolf. A werewolf would have provided protection from predators, as well as invaluable assistance while hunting. It's very possible that werewolves were in fact the first to domesticate wolves along with humans' early ancestors.
Werewolves dispersed around the globe along with their human neighbors. As the human and werewolf populations grew, and agriculture became common place, werewolves' monthly shifts became more problematic.
In many regions, werewolves started to live in their own communities (known as packs) along side human populations. The level of interaction, and cooperation between the two species depended heavily on the region.
Ethno Groups
Werewolves are found everywhere that humans are found.
When it comes to Ethnicity, werewolves can be, and are, any and all ethnicities.
When it comes to their wolf form, werewolves most commonly resemble the major canine predator in their pack's local area.
Most packs look like wolves, but larger, often with more unique markings or coat colors. However, werewolf packs resembling jackals, coyotes, have been recorded.
Shifting
Primary Sex
Werewolves have the same primary sexes as humans, Male, Female, and any variation of intersex. Their primary sex is indicated by the Same X or Y genes as a human would be.
Secondary Sex
Werewolves have their primary sexual characteristics determined by their pair of XX or XY chromosomes, like a human would.
Their secondary sex characteristics help denote the wolf's place in a pack, and contributes an additional set of sex characteristics that present secondarily to their primary XX or XY sex characteristics.
In addition to their pair of primary sex chromosomes, the wolf will have a pair of Z chromosomes. Their Z chromosomes are passed down from their parents along with the rest of their genetic material.
There are three sets of genetic traits you will typically see the Z chromosome to present with.
- Z1: The Z1 chromosome, also known as the Zα chromosome, or the 'Alpha' chromosome. The Z1 traits are recessive. When a werewolf has two Z1 chromosomes, they will present as an Alpha.
- Z2: The Z2 chromosome, also known as the Zβ chromosome, or the 'Beta' chromosome. The Z2 traits are dominant. So, any werewolf that carries a single Z2 chromosome will present as a Beta.
- Z3: The Z3 chromosome, also known as the ZΩ chromosome, or the 'Omega' chromosome. The Z3 traits are recessive like the Z1 chromosome. When a werewolf has two Z3 chromosomes, they will present as an Omega. While you will typically only see werewolves presenting as either an Alpha, a Beta, or an Omega, there are many mutations that result in a Variant secondary sex.
The most common Variant is the 'Faux' Beta. A 'Faux' Beta carries a pair of the recessive Z1 Z3 chromosomes. Despite externally presenting exactly the same as a werewolf who carries the Z2 chromosome, they are technically classified as a 'Faux' Beta, as the wolf is not actually a carrier of the Z2 chromosome.
Sexual Dimorphism
Common
Alpha
Alpha werewolves tend to have heightened levels of testosterone and other hormones. They build and maintain muscle easily, tend to be tall, and often have more body hair than their peers.
Alphas have their own unique dentition compared to humans and werewolves of other secondary genders. In their human form an alpha will have large, pronounced, upper and lower canines, often referred to as fangs. The incisors closest to their canines, as well as the premolars next to their canines are also sharper than a typical human's.
All werewolves are capable of more vocal range than a human would be due to their unique vocal chords. Alphas are capable of making a deep rumbling sound, similar to a purr. An alpha rumbles to placate, calm, or show affection to their pack mates. When an alpha rumbles they make their throats and chests vibrate. An alpha can combine other vocalizations with with a rumble, however they cannot speak while they rumble.
Alphas do go through what's known as a "Rut" anywhere from once a month to about every three months. During their rut the Alpha has higher levels of hormones, which increases their sex drive and leaves them more fertile. When Alphas are around an Omega, their rut will sync up with the Omega's heat cycle. In some cases, when there is more than one Alpha in a pack, their ruts will also sync up.
Male (XY) Specific: Alphas have the unique factor of having two sets of gonads. They have a set of testicles like a human, but they also have an additional set of internal testicles. This leads to increased hormone production and fertility.
Female (XX) Specific: Female Alphas possess a pair of ovaries, as well as a pair of internal testicles. Female Alphas have unique genitalia similar to a spotted hyena. They have an enlarged clitoris that resembles and functions as penis. To have penetrative sex, or to give birth, the Alpha would have to retract her member. Female Alphas are capable of both impregnating, and being impregnated by their partners. Due to hormone and physical limitations, female alphas are less fertile than werewolves with different secondary sexes. During their rut, a female Alpha is even less likely to get pregnant than usual. When female Alphas ovulate, they reabsorb their uterine lining, which means they do not bleed on their period.
Beta
Like Alphas, Betas also have enlarged upper and lower canines, akin to fangs. Unlike Alphas their canines are the only enlarged teeth that Betas have.
Betas are the most common secondary sex, and make up the majority of the werewolf population.
Beta werewolves have the same sexual organs as humans do. They do not have a knot like alphas, or have a rut or heat cycle like alphas or omegas. Because of this their hormone makeups are also extremely similar to humans.
While Betas do not have hormones increased hormones the way that Alphas and Omegas have, Betas have a heightened sense of smell, even compared to other werewolves.
Their heightened sense smell allows Betas to know what their packmates are feeling. They're capable of distinguishing the chemosignals put out by werewolves as well as humans. A knowledgeable enough Beta can even detect certain chronic diseases and cancers.
Female (XX) Specific: Unlike human women, when werewolves ovulate, they reabsorb their uterine lining, which means they do not bleed on their period.
Omega
Omegas werewolves have higher estrogen levels in both males and females. They tend to carry more fat, and may be shorter than their Alpha or Beta family members.
Omegas have small fangs compared to Alphas or Betas, but they're definitely noticeable compared to humans.
Omegas are the most territorial compared to Alphas and Betas. They are also extremely protective of their pups, but also their mates, and packmates.
Nesting is a common and important behavior for Omegas. Nesting is a behavior where Omegas tend to their home, making sure to keep it clean, and comfortable. This behavior isn't isolated to their own home, Omegas are known to go out of their way to show their love for their packmates by cleaning, decorating, as well as gifting food and blankets.
While Alphas have a rut every 1-3 months, Omegas, go through Heat, leaving them with an increased sex drive and increased fertility. Omega's heat cycle will typically sync with other omega's as well with their Alpha's ruts.
Male (XY) Specific: Male Omegas are capable of getting pregnant. Like Alphas, they have two sets of gonads, one set of external testicles, as well as a uterus. Typically male Omegas do not have a vulva. Their vaginal opening is inside their anus. Male Omegas are not as fertile as female Omegas, but they are more fertile during their heat. They also ovulate, like all werewolves, they reabsorb their uterine lining, so do not bleed during their period. Male omegas are less likely to impregnate their partner than an Alpha or a Beta, especially during their heat. Male Omegas often tend to have a smaller penis and testicles.
Female (XX) Specific: Female Omegas have two pairs of ovaries, which leads them to be very fertile. A female Omega should use birth control if they want to avoid pregnancy. During their heat, they would be almost guaranteed to get pregnant, so a combination of birth control and heat suppressants would be recommended.
Variants
Faux Beta
Visually there is no way to tell the difference between a Faux Beta and a true Beta. Some Betas can tell the difference by scent, but functionally the only difference between a Faux Beta and a true Beta is that a Faux Beta carries the