River

11/20/2022 EDIT: Hello everyone. I have removed the chapters. I am going to be restarting this book and will be updating once I have gotten more of it written. Hello everyone, I want to start off thanking anyone whom has chosen to take time reading this story! It is as of now, a work in progress and un-edited. I do my best to catch things, but I am far from perfect (rip my poor dyslexic brain). As of now I have no structured plan as to how often I post chapters. I think I will try for once every week, or two weeks. But no promises. I will do my best to communicate if it will be longer. But I do have other projects I am working on between writing, and art. WARNING: This story will have potentially triggering themes and scenes. It is not for children and I would strongly suggest those reading to at least be 18. There will be swearing, depictions of violence, depression, suicidal thoughts, s****l abuse / abuse. As someone whom is a survivor of s****l assault, writing about it is not meant to be romantic, honestly it is a tool that has helped me to move on and deal with my own trauma. That isn't the case for everyone. Survivors of any form of abuse or trauma have our own ways we learn to deal. Please, if you find this sort of topic triggering, I suggest checking out another book. To any survivors of s****l abuse / assault - it is not your fault. You have nothing to be ashamed of. Only the assaulter has something to be ashamed of. I believe you. You are strong as hell! Your experience does not define you. DISCLAIMER: This is my story. My characters. I do consent to any of my story being posted anywhere else by anyone but myself. If there are any similarities between my story, or characters, to another it is purely coincidental. There are no real people in these stories. They are purely fictional. Lore wise, much of the usual werewolf/shifter stories are included, but chances are I'll also add some of my own spins so it might not be all you've come to expect with such stories. ****Nothing bellow is necessary to read but more 'extras'**** RANKINGS, POWER, AND THINGS Shifters/Weres: Creatures with the ability to change their shape into an animal. The most common being the Werewolf. Though there are others such as Leopards, Tigers, Lions, Coyotes, foxes, ext. They are all tied to the moon. While they can change into their beast counterparts at any time, it is tradition to run on the full moon. As the majority shift on the first full moon after their birthday (between ages 16-18). They tend to age normally for the first while, but generally upon hitting late teens/early twenties, their aging slows. A shifter can live much longer than human. Generally 150-200 years. Pack Link: Pack members once accepted into the pack through a ritual with the Alpha - all members of a pack are able to use the pack link to communicate on a telepathic level. Lions call their link a pride link. Pregnancy/Mating: A shifter has a shorter gestation period next to a human. Often being only five months long. A shifter is more likely to have twins, or even triplets compared to human. A shifter is unable to reproduce even once of age - at least until they find their mate. Destined mates are the only ones whom can get pregnant before being marked. Without the mark, chosen, and even second chance mates cannot reproduce. Amare: Or in other words, mate. This is the other half of a shifters soul. The one they are destined to be with, and created for. This is not a term that is as common as Mate/Soulmate, but most commonly used for Alpha, Beta, Gamma, mate. Example: Alpha Amare. Beta Amare, ext. Mate: Or soulmate. The more common term used. Amare generally only used in a mate to a high ranked members. Every shifter has one mate that they are created for. The other halves of their soul. Once marked, their souls are once more melded as whole. If one dies the other feels it, and in most cases dies in the process of their soul being torn. In the case that a wolf loses their first mate, there is a rare chance they might have a second chance mate. It is not as strong of a bond at first as they are two halves of different broken souls that tend to be similar but not the same. If mates have met, but not marked each other - and one dies, while it is painful, it is something the surviving mate is more likely to survive. Over time their souls blend and change to be whole. (Second chance mates can also happen to rejected mates on occasion as well). It is rare for a mate to be rejected. If a shifter takes a chosen mate, over a destined mate (generally once older and given up finding their destined, or assumed their mate died before they met) - it is similar to how second chance mates work. But there is no magnetism form a mate bond between them until after marked and mated. Over time it will strengthen slightly, but never are as intense as destined mates. Chosen mates are much more likely to survive a mates death compared to destined mates. A gift of the moon goddess, if an Omega was to be mated to an Alpha - once marked the omega would go through changes to become better matched to their mates power. Often being equal, or a little beneath their mate. Destined mates together strengthen each other. Even if the mates are equal strength and rank, both tend to gain even more once they mark each other. But that only happens if marked by a destined / second chance mate. Chosen mates do not gain equal strength to their mate. No matter if destined, second chance, or chosen mates, once marked they are connected, able to feel each others emotions, physical pain, as well as connect telepathically. Chosen mates are - of course - chosen. It is rare for those in powerful ranks to take chosen mates as they do not gain the benefits of further strength and power that comes with a destined mate. A destined mate can be found through scent, there is a magnetism built in that draws the mates together that is further electrified with touch. A second chance mate is not found through scent. When it comes to finding a second chance mate - it is a little more difficult. The scent - while pleasing - isn't exactly special at first. It is only after first skin on skin (handshake, hug, ext) contact that the sparks start. As the bond strengthens, scent will also become more inciting. Alpha: The leader of a pack of were/shifter group. This is a rank that is earned. It is not guaranteed to be passed down in a bloodline. An Alpha has more strength then a normal pack member. This can be a male or female. Once the title has been earned, generally through challenging, though at times an Alpha can peacefully submit their power to a predecessor. Once the title has been passed on, the male/female goes through changes anywhere from a few weeks to a month. Where their beast will gain more physical strength, more dominant/commanding power (such as the ability to force pack members / lower members in the group to do what they command that is physically painful to resist the weaker the beast), and their beast will also physically get larger. Beta: Second in command. "Under Alpha" - if the alpha should die outside challenge, be it accident, or general pack attack leaving no Alpha - the beta is the one who will gain the alpha rank. They are also the ones left in command if the Alpha must leave the pack for anything, or is sent in place of an Alpha for meetings and political talks. They are generally a mix of chosen and earned. Most often Alphas will have their closest trustees fight for the role. They are the closest to equal to Alpha power/dominance. Some groups find Beta to be higher ranked than the Alpha Amare. If an Alpha is injured, or ill, or away, they are the champions - the only pack member that can answer a challenge to the Alpha title and fight in place of their Alpha... If they win they do not become Alpha, unless they challenge their Alpha and win. In most cases, their wolves are the same size as their Alpha, and it is extremely difficult for a true beta to be alpha commanded. Gamma: Third in command. Delta: A high ranking pack member. Generally there are multiple in a pack. The larger the pack, the more there tend to be. They are the elite of the warrior wolves. Warrior: While most packs train all of their members to fight in beast and human form Epsilon: A pack is generally considered blessed to have even one. There are some that do have multiple though. This is one rank that isn't chosen - or fought for. It is a gift given by the moon goddess alone. The gift of healing. It is a rare and treasured gift to find a true Epsilon. It is one of the 'ranks' that even a rogue could hold and have respect of pack shifters. It is also one rank of the pack ranks that could be along side another. There have been Alpha Epsilon, Gamma Epsilon, ext. While the strength varies, it is considered a blessing for a pack. Epsilon manifest their powers at different times. No two Epsilon are the same. Some shift into their wolves and gain their abilities for healing at an extremely young age, others not until they mature. Some not until a traumatic event triggers the need for the power. To use their power of healing though, it costs them. Bringing great pain. So there are Epsilon that try to hide their powers - and those who refuse to use it unless it is a dire situation (the more they need to heal, the more agonizing for them). Healing can make them pass out, anywhere from minutes, hours, days to even weeks. Healing takes the pain from the one they are treating and puts the pain back on them. The weaker the Epsilon, the more amplified that pain is. Epsilon have been blessed with longer lives. Though this varies depending on the Epsilon. Most having at least some level of immunity to the command of other wolves, even alphas and other high ranked members of the pack. With their blessing, it seems Epsilon have the most difficulty in finding their fated mates, and are known to have their bodies reject the marking of a chosen mate. Another fact is the Epsilon bring luck and prosperity to whatever pack they are in. This has caused them to be hunted by some packs to be collected and kept like museum pieces. Along with their power to heal others - Epsilon are rapid healers themselves. Though it does take energy. This often leads to them having larger appetites over even a normal werewolf. If a wolf does not have a healthy diet, and is low on energy, the epsilon will in turn, heal slower. It hits epsilon harder then a regular wolf. If they do not eat enough their human and wolves become much weaker. Lead Healer: A rank that is generally given to the pack Epsilon. If a pack does not have an Epsilon, it is generally assigned to a senior healer that has proven knowledgeable and trustworthy to the pack. Most have a lead healer but not an Epsilon. Healer: A pack healer come in a few different roles - but ultimately those that work in the medical care of pack members. There are those that have roles more like a nurse, more like a general practitioner, psychiatrist, surgeon, ext. Trained in programs set up around the world. designed by shifters, for shifters. They are those charged with the healing of physical and mental ailments of their fellow pack mates. Zeta: Lead hunter/tracker(s) of the pack. Most still send out hunting parties to provide for the pack traditionally. In more modern times they mostly go on large hunts lead by one or two Zeta wolves to get prey to be served at special events. The zeta are not just leading hunters of prey - but known to be the best trackers of their pack in most cases. Thus when something - or someone - needs to be tracked down, a pack will send the Zeta to lead the tracking party. Omega: This depends on a pack. In most they are the shifters whom seem to be without a beast / unable to shift. Making them weaker, considered the weakest link. Most packs have them do the cleaning, cooking, ext around the pack / pack houses. In general, it is frowned upon for a pack to abuse or neglect their omegas. But that said, they tend to be looked down upon. There are some more ruthless packs that use and abuse their omegas, treating them more like slaves then members. In those more ruthless packs it's less about who can and cannot shift, but whomever they deem to be unworthy of being a regular pack member. Socius: Regular pack member. Unranked. They can be healers, chefs, accountants, ext. They just have no power rank in whatever they work at. In many packs they tend to work in near by cities and/or towns. Pup: Young canine shifter, generally considered children. Though many older wolves still consider teens pups. Though calling a mature (18+) wolf a pup tends to be considered an insult. Rogue: A wolf whom has been cast out, exiled, or is not a part of an established pack. Generally they are loners. Though it isn't unheard of for a small grouping to stay together to feed their social natures. It is rare for them to form a rogue pack. The definition of a rogue pack is one without lands. Traveling from place to place. Rogues tend to go more feral. Shifters are by nature, pack animals. Social by nature. Being cut off from their group, and generally forced to spend prolonged times in beast form to survive, and the instinct in shifters to avoid rogues - even if they are one as well - leads often to them losing a portion of their humanity. In the more severe cases - their human side dies and they live in beast form half mad with blood thirst. That isn't to say all rogues, but there is a reason they are considered potentially threatening. That is why most do tend to have little groups of two to generally four that trust each other enough to travel and overlook the natural repulsion to other rogues. Some shifter species are more likely to be effected by the more solitary lives. Mainly those more pack oriented such as werewolves. Where feline shifters tend to be much more comfortable in the solitary life. Lions being more the exception. Tigers, Jaguars, Cougars, ext tend to be more choose a rogue lifestyle.