by Kat-Nova

Depending on different cultures and myths, werewolves are portrayed differently. Some are able to fully transform into wolves, like the werewolves in Twilight. Others have the ability to semi transform, like the wolves in Teen Wolf.

One of the most famous origins of Werewolves come from Greek Mythology when Zeus turned Lycaon, King of Arcadia, into a wolf. It's where the terminology of Lycanthrope derives from. Those are known as Lycans.

Authors, however, prefer more of a spiritual fable. Native Americans believe in channeling the spirit of the wolf. That's where the word Shape-shifter or Skin-walker comes from when a human body fully transforms into a wolf. Classically, werewolves are vulnerable to silver and wolfsbane plants (Aconitum or monkshood) but an author might choose to not use the weaknesses at all.

Nonetheless, all werewolves have super strength, lightning speed, incredible hearing, a killer sense of smell, telepathic abilities, and fast healing. This is a must for all classic werewolf books but they usually have normal longevity, like humans. However, in some books like Twilight Saga and Immortals After Dark series by Kresley Cole, werewolves are immortal. It usually depends on the author on what route they choose to with.

Sometimes, authors will choose to build a world where being a werewolf is genetic. For example, Tyler Lockwood from The Vampire Diaries, written by L.J. Smith, had the werewolf gene that was passed down to him through generations. Others lean towards the idea of affiliation, a bite, or a scratch. Sam Roth from The Wolves of Mercy Falls, written by Maggie Stiefvater was bitten by a werewolf.

Interestingly, a feature those series have in common is that they are both set in small towns with vast areas of woodland around them. It allows the werewolves to shift and live in their wolf skin among the statuary of the woods while living a humble civilian life for the rest of the time.

A secluded environment allows the natural system of the Pack to thrive to the fullest. They'd have a packhouse where the Alpha would live, Beta living in close proximity. Each family would have their own houses and a self-sufficient tight-knit community. They may attend local high schools or colleges with humans but usually, it was forbidden to reveal their secret.

However, it is not mandatory for the werewolf stories to have the same secluded setting. Respected authors like Laurann Dohner and Cynthia Eden mastered the craft of not only breaking boundaries but creating their own world in an urban setting.

Laurann Dohner explores the scientific side of the fantasy world in the New Species series. In these books, werewolves are created by combining wolf and human genes in a Petri Dish before growing them in a surrogate. They were are neither Lycan nor full werewolves. They are stuck in-between full time. Therefore, there are no hierarchy or packs and a world fully aware of their existence.

On the contrary to what Cynthia Eden aimed for in the Purgatory series. The Paranormal Unit was created by the human government that employed werewolves, jinns, and other beings to hunt down rogue paranormal creatures. Rogue werewolves aren't a part of the pack dynamic. Some can be dangerous, some can be normal. A lone wolf by choice. Again, depends on the author. In Eden's world, pure werewolves and scientifically engineered humans with wolf attributes co-exist in the para unit.

So, in theory, there are no right or wrong setting for a werewolf story. Urban or classic, there are an ample amount of options to choose from.

Just like the abundant amount of characters out there to get inspired from. Fury from New Species grew up like a lab rat, tortured and abused yet when he found his mate, he hoped. He loved. Which differed from the mating concept in Twilight. Sam Uley's feelings for Leah vanished when he first laid his eyes on Emily. Sam and Emily's love was pure, bound by fate through time and eternity. The classic mating bond that eliminates any other romantic relationship. In classics, mating is a must, in urban, the concept may vary. Eric Pate, Deal with the Devil, was injected with wolf genes after he joined the Para Unit. Surprisingly, he found his mate even though it took him a while to figure it out fully.

Werewolf is a well-loved genre. A man turning into a beast was a horror for people dating back a couple of hundred years. It is now, however, romanticized. I mean, who doesn't love a classic beauty and the beast story? Maybe with some urban twists? My obsession with werewolves began with the mating concept. Someone out there who was truly made for you. A love so pure, that couldn't be broken by anyone. Who wouldn't want that?

Example of Werewolf Fantasy on Wattpad:
Alpha Ocean by Kat-Nova

Synopsis:

A pack surrounded by tall walls. No one could come in, no one could get out.
An Alpha notorious for using guns instead of claws. Why? No one knows.

Since Naya first met Ocean, she knew he's been hiding something from her. What? She was dying to find out. After all, she was an Alpha herself. It was uncommon for two Alpha's to imprint on each other. But, nothing about Ocean and Naya was normal. They had extraordinary secrets and with extraordinary responsibilities.

But they must figure out their purpose quickly, before time runs out.

Before someone else much more powerful catches up to them. Someone who's been around for centuries.

Excerpt:

I could hear each of my bones crack and reshape itself into a light grey wolf. The spirits gave us the power to control these shifts. It was a beautiful gift. My best friend walked out in her chocolate brown fur with glowing green eyes .

We trotted towards the sun. Our vision changed as wolves. The smallest object became more prominent. The details magnified itself a thousand times. Our visions as human was impeccable but as wolves a ray of energy could be seen bursting out from each object, shimmering. Senses of smell and hearing amplified massively as well.

Oh! It was glorious.

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