Werewolf Magic & Ritual Behavior

Mercy Thompson Series #1: Moon Called

• most werewolves died in dominance fights with other wolves²⁰¹

Mercy Thompson Series #5: Silver Borne

• an Alpha can be challenged at any time²²¹
• the Marrok doesn't allow fights for an Alpha position without his consent²²¹
• not even fear of the Marrok can completely control the nature of the pack²²¹
• there is no tradition that dictates dominance fights have to be done in human form²²⁹
• it is common though, because it makes the challenge more about skill and strength; when you are armed with fangs and claws, a lucky hit can take out a more skilled opponent²²⁹
• traditional for the family of the Alpha to have the equivalent of ringside seats for the fight²³⁰
• formality of running the challenge by the Marrok²³¹
• women don't fight in challenge fights²³¹
• the challenger must be within three ranks of the challengee²³²
• the official code of conduct; says challenge within “three men” of your rank; it does not say that the challenger has to be a man²³⁴

Mercy Thompson Series #9: Fire Touched

• outside Alpha challenges were so unusual as to be almost unheard-of¹¹⁶
• outside challenges usually came from lone wolves too dominant to be welcomed into a pack on their own¹¹⁶
• one Alpha only challenged another when two packs were too close together—or if an Alpha had a personal vendetta against another¹¹⁶
• such battles were supposed to be one-on-one, but, historically speaking, unless an Alpha was utterly useless, his pack would fight for him¹¹⁷
• quite often both Alphas and most of both packs would die in the fight¹¹⁷

Mercy Thompson Series #12: Smoke Bitten

• at its heart, taking over a pack is simple: kill the Alpha in a challenge¹⁰⁵

Mercy Thompson Series #1: Moon Called

• the last full moon of October, all of those who chose to try to become werewolves were allowed to come forward⁷⁴
• in a formal ceremony they were savaged by Bran Cornick, or by some other wolf who loved them, in the hopes they would rise Changed⁷⁴

Mercy Thompson Series #1: Moon Called

• instinct takes over when a wolf is on the hunt⁷⁹

Mercy Thompson Series #1: Moon Called

• the first hunt should not be interrupted⁸²

Mercy Thompson Series #2: Blood Bound

• a basic question asked of new werewolves who were ready to go for their first hung; what do you do when you're out hunting and you can't find any tracks or scent? You go to places that will attract your prey²²⁴

Mercy Thompson Series #4: Bone Crossed

• mate bonds, when they settle down, are different for different couples—and being Alpha adds a twist to it as well²⁴⁴

Mercy Thompson Series #4: Bone Crossed

• benefit of the pack bond; feel strong emotion of other pack members; Alpha gets things first¹⁶¹

Mercy Thompson Series #1: Moon Called

• strongly discouraged telling anyone other than permanent mates that you were a werewolf¹³⁴
• werewolves don't have jails; the people who break their laws are either punished physically or killed¹³⁴
• werewolves take their secrecy very seriously; it's how they've remained undetected for so long¹⁴¹
• disobeying a direct order from the Alpha; penalty is brutal¹⁴²
• the laws have to be enforced or risk rebellion in a pack¹⁴⁵

Mercy Thompson Series #2: Blood Bound

• werewolves' trials tend to convene on the spot rather than six months after a crime; they are also over in a matter of hours, sometimes minutes⁵⁷
• can't convince your pack Alpha you are less trouble to him alive than dead? Too bad⁵⁷
• pack law; necessarily brutal⁵⁷