Werewolf Legends

When you think about it, a human that turns into a wolf or other animal is a bizarre idea. So where on earth has it come from?

When my daughter was little more than a baby and started watching children's television, she was absolutely freaked by programme where the presenters put on and took off masks. She was genuinely terrified, and I think what scared her was the idea of human faces becoming something else. It seems to me this is probably some kind of primeval fear, though which came first, shifter or fear, I'll leave you to decide :)

There is certainly evidence of werewolf stories going back to classical times. Herodotus wrote that the Neuri, a tribe he places to the north-east of Scythia, were all transformed into wolves once every year for several days, and then changed back to their human shape. And in the second century BC, the Greek geographer Pausanius relates the story of Lycaon, who was transformed into a wolf by Zeus as punishment for ritually murdering a child. This has links to many later legends which have werewolves being cursed into existence.

In early European folklore, werewolves can be spotted by certain physical traits, such as the meeting of both eyebrows at the bridge of the nose (anyone seen the film Company of Wolves?), curved fingernails, low-set ears and a swinging stride. Or apparently, if you cut the flesh of a werewolf in his human form, there would be fur in the wound.

Russian superstition claims that a werewolf can be recognised by bristles under the tongue. Most legends portray the werewolf as indistinguishable from ordinary wolves except for having no tail (also attributed to witches in animal form!), although it is often larger, and retains human eyes and voice.

Some Swedish accounts said the werewolf could be distinguished by the fact that it ran on three legs, stretching the fourth one backwards to look like a tail.

After returning to their human forms, werewolves are usually documented as becoming weak and debilitated and suffering melancholia and manic depression, through guilt at their crimes.

One reviled practice of medieval European werewolves was the devouring of recently buried corpses, as documented, for example, in the 19th century Annales Medico-psychologiques.Some werewolves were old women who possessed poison-coated claws and could paralyse cattle and children with their gaze. Serbian vulkodlaks traditionally congregated each winter to strip off their wolf skins and hang them from trees. They would then get a hold of another vulkodlaks skin and burn it, releasing from its curse the vulkodlak from whom the skin came. While the Haitian jé-rouges typically try to trick mothers into giving away their children by waking them at night and asking their permission to take their child, to which the disoriented mother might either reply yes or no.

It seems to me that many of these legends can be attributed to basic human fears and anxieties, of something beyond their control threatening them, their food supply or their families. Of course, wolves are not the only shifters of legend, but it's interesting how often they come up and how far their stories have spread.

Marie (with a grateful nod to Wikepedia!)

Welcome Beverly Rae!

Thursday's guest of honour is laugh-out-loud parnaormal romance writer, Beverly Rae. Beverly, it's a pleasure to welcome you to the comedy party!

Should You Date a Werewolf? by Beverly Rae

I write paranormal romances which, of course, sometimes include werewolves. Isn’t it funny how dating the supernatural has become all the rage in just a few short years? I’m not sure where the fascination started, maybe with the book, An Interview with a Vampire, but I don’t think people having really given the idea of dating a supernatural creature enough thought.

Let’s take that werewolf, for example. What would it really be like dating one of those guys? To find out, why not make a pro and con list? (That’s what girls used to do before they could simply Google their date. Yeah, back in the olden days.)

The pros of dating a werewolf:

1. Most werewolves, while in human form, are real hunks. Example: Twilight’s Jacob
2. A werewolf boyfriend would have white teeth from chewing on all those human bones.
3. A werewolf lover could help decorate your home by easily moving furniture whenever you wanted. (They’re very strong, you know.)
4. A werewolf lover could “talk” to your new puppy and train him with one snarl.
5. A werewolf lover would only need to growl to get a seat at your favorite restaurant.
6. A werewolf lover would only need a few nights every month for a “boy’s night out”.
7. A werewolf lover would always be willing to play fetch.
8. A werewolf lover would get invited to all the pack parties.
9. A werewolf lover would need new clothes after every full moon.
10. A werewolf lover would be an animal in bed.

The cons of dating a werewolf:

1. A werewolf lover would have really bad breath after eating (especially after eating humans.)
2. A werewolf lover is not someone you want to nag during the full moon.
3. A werewolf lover would shed.
4. A werewolf lover would tear your new sofa to shreds.
5. A werewolf lover might drool when in “full fang”.
6. A werewolf lover would need new clothes after every full moon.
7. A werewolf lover would devour all the steaks and chicken in your fridge. (The hot dogs would probably be safe, though.)
8. A werewolf lover would use your shoes as chew toys.
9. A werewolf lover wouldn’t like getting “doggy bags” at restaurants.
10. A werewolf lover might eat your new puppy.

Hmm, since the comparison is fairly close I think you’ll have to make the deciding factor. As for me, if I wasn’t happily married and a werewolf lover was a possibility, I think I’d just have to rely on good old attraction. I’d have to ask myself if we have chemistry. And since I am a dog person… Well, you get the picture.

How about yourself? Would you date a werewolf? Why or why not?


Excerpt from Running with the Pack (Canon Pack Book 3) by Beverly Rae

Lauren dropped to the back of the group and switched her gun’s safety to the off position. If she had to, she could cause a diversion from the rear easier than in the front of the group. Halfway through the alley, John went down on one knee, waited for them to do the same, then pointed to a dark corner where one building met another. She squinted into the blackness and hoped she wouldn’t see what she feared most.

A small werewolf bent over the prone body of a homeless man. The man, wearing rags and shoes with holes in the bottoms, was either asleep or unconscious. His hand, however, firmly clutched an empty whiskey bottle.

The poor man had no idea that a werewolf stood over him. Could she wake the man up without scaring the werewolf into biting him? If so, would John and the other hunters hold their fire to keep from hitting the man? Inching forward, she touched John’s shoulder to warn him against shooting while an innocent human was in the line of fire, but she was too late. A shot blasted the silence apart, jolting her and sending her stumbling to the side.

The werewolf’s screech of pain echoed around the alley. Wounded, the shifter landed on its feet but couldn’t stand. Blood ran down its hind leg. The werewolf tried to stumble away, but lost its footing and slumped to the ground.

“Gah! What the fuck is this? Help! Someone get this thing away from me!” The man dropped his bottle to scuttle away from the growling creature. The other men rushed to John, cheering and slapping him on the back. Two hunters helped the man to his feet and retrieved his bottle, then led him down the alley toward the street. Pointing his rifle at the snarling werewolf, John stood back, his chest out and pride oozing from him. “Say nighty-night, shifter.”

Lauren slowly regained her feet, tears stinging the backs of her eyes. Why couldn’t she have acted faster? Disappointment mingled with guilt, tearing a hole in her stomach. But now was not the time to wallow in her feelings. She gritted her teeth and took a few steps toward the sickening scene and the great white hunter holding court over his doting subjects.
“Wait! Don’t shoot!”

John and the others pivoted to her without placing their backs to the werewolf. “What, Lauren?” His eyes flashed above his gleeful grin.

She clenched her fists, resisting the urge to slap the stupid smile off his face. “You promised me I could shoot first.” Why hadn’t she remembered to say that earlier? Had their discussion about Cannon thrown her off? But maybe she wasn’t too late.

“I did? I don’t remember that.” John’s brow knitted and she prayed he’d taken his dumb pill today. He wasn’t the brightest man on the block and she could usually convince him to do what she wanted without him knowing she’d bamboozled him.

“Yeah, you did. Granted, you were drunk.” She got the expected snickers from the group. “But a promise is a promise. And now you go and blow it.”

“Seriously, babe, I don’t think—”

“You don’t think and I don’t care, John. Just answer the question. Are you going to give me what I want or not?” She pouted in the way John couldn’t resist.

Hoots and laughter surrounded her. “Yeah, John-boy. Give her what she wants or one of us might have to give it to her.” John punched the loudmouthed hunter in the arm.

She strode to the group and positioned her body between John and the werewolf. “So the way I see it, you owe me the kill.” She turned to face the werewolf and widened her eyes, hoping to alert him to her plan. “Let me be the one to put him down.”

She watched the battle in John’s eyes and knew how much he wanted to kill the shifter. But, with the heckling of the others, he had little choice but to give in.
“Fine. Just make it quick.”

She blew him a kiss along with a sexy smile and waved everyone back. “You guys might want to step away. Uh, you know. I’m not that good a shot.”

“Ain’t that the truth?”

“Back up, dudes. You never know where her bullet will go.”

At least her bumbling hunter act was still holding up. She almost shook her head in disbelief. Almost a year and they still hadn’t caught on? Wow.

She stepped closer to the bleeding wolf. If he was as intelligent as she thought werewolves were, he’d catch on. At last his gaze met hers and she gave him a huge no-way-can-you-miss-this-signal wink. He blinked, then tilted his head. She wasn’t sure he understood what she was about to do, but he knew she was up to something. She aimed a couple of inches above him, allowing for the discharge from the rifle to miss him.

Get ready, wolf. Taking a breath, she squeezed the trigger. The shot rang out and, after only a moment’s hesitation, the werewolf yelped, jerked, then fell silent. Taking the dirty blanket the homeless man had used, she flung it over the body of the werewolf in feigned disgust. “Good riddance.”

The hunters shouted and John lifted her to twirl her around. “You did it. You finally killed one.”

“Finally? But I killed the female. Remember?”

“Oh, sure. Yeah. I forgot. Never mind.” John released her and turned to his men. “Grab the carcass for Lauren, men.”

“No!” Her shout stunned them into inaction, giving her a moment to think. “Uh, I mean, it’s my kill, right? Then I decide what to do with the hide. And I’ve decided that I want to leave it right where it is.”

“But why waste a hide you could hang on your wall?”

Lauren took John by the arm and led him away from the werewolf. “You know I don’t like trophies on my walls. Besides, it’s a scrawny thing.” She adopted an evil expression. “And I want it to stay here. I want to imagine the rats having a feast. I think that’s the best way to dispose of a vile creature like that. It’s my kill, my decision, right?”

“Whatever you say, Lauren. I’m just so damn proud of you. Men, group together.”

Lauren swallowed the bile in her throat and returned his hug but didn’t follow the others as they circled around John. Instead, she paced over to the werewolf, then bent down and lifted a corner of the blanket, pretending to examine the head. “Stay still until we leave. If I can, I’ll come back to help you,” she whispered. She would’ve sworn the shifter’s lips pulled back into a smile.

She turned to face the group and a movement above her brought her to a standstill. The beautiful black werewolf who’d escaped with the injured female werewolf crouched on the roof above her, his lips curled back to expose deadly fangs. She took a moment to appreciate his magnificent body, then abruptly dropped her eyes. If she drew attention to him, John would start the hunt again, thrilled by the chance to bag two in one night. The magnetic pull emanating from the mystical animal, however, drew her attention back, holding her spellbound. His eyes, brilliant amber, glowed against his black face and the dark night around him.

Lauren couldn’t help but study him. His body was all muscles and packed action. This creature, this regal being, was more a true hunter than John could ever be. The werewolf tilted his head, reminding her of someone else. Suddenly, realization struck her, dazing her. It’s Daniel. She smiled, a little embarrassed not to have made the connection before. She should have known. In either form, he had the same intensity, the same sexual pull, the same overpowering presence. She frowned. The same accusatory expression? But why was his fury focused on her and not the others? Shit, he doesn’t understand. He thinks I’m with them.

Panic rolled through Lauren. She had to do something before John and the others noticed him. In the end, however, it was Daniel who drew their attention.

The werewolf on the roof turned toward the hunters and widened his snarl. A spine-tingling growl floated down to the hunters, and he crouched as though ready to attack.

Praying her idea would work, Lauren lifted her rifle, aimed and pulled the trigger.

RUNNING WITH THE PACK (Cannon Pack, Bk 3) -  http://tinyurl.com/6y5b5v5 - When hunter becomes hostage, the only question is: Death by bite, or by bullet? Order from Amazon.com or Samhain  In eBook and paperback
 
DANCE ON THE WILDE SIDE (Cannon Pack, Bk 2) - http://tinyurl.com/68tn6l3 - Wanted: One wild man. Domesticated males need not apply.
A Samhain Publishing Bestseller.  In eBook and paperback

HOWLING FOR MY BABY (Cannon Pack, Bk 1) - http://tinyurl.com/6gzmqjl  - Romeo and Juliet never had to worry about being skinned alive! 
A Samhain bestseller   A BookOnBoard bestseller.   In eBook and paperback

I MARRIED A DEMON - (Para-Mates, Bk 1) - http://tinyurl.com/6yfett2 - What's a nice girl like me doing with a demon like you?


Today, Beverly is giving away a $5 Amazon gift certificate to one winner who answers her question above: Would you date a werewolf? Why or why not? This contest will close at midnight tonight and the winner will be announced tomorrow on this thread.

Urban Fantasy Bargains

As a quick postscript to the Urban Fantasy Party, I thought you might like to know about a couple of my own e-books - which could be labelled urban fantasy - on special offer right now :).

Changeling Press has Loving the Wolf, the first novella in my City of the Damned series, available for just 99 cents:

Enter, if you dare, the City of the Damned...
...with Marie Treanor's post-apocalyptic trilogy: Loving the Wolf, Loving the Vampire and Loving the Man, available together as an ebook collection.

Five Cherries from Whipped Cream Reviews:
"...humor, passion, excitement, danger, and lots of screaming hot sex, in totally unexpected places." - Holly

Loving the Wolf: City of the Damned Part 1

By Marie Treanor

Available now at Changeling Press for 99 cents!

In the depths of nuclear winter, Lara, a self-sufficient female cop, leaves the safety of her Dome City and travels north in search of her missing brother.  His trail evaporates in an open, ravaged city where the buildings are in ruin and the people burn whatever they can find to keep warm.  There is no law, people mug and kill for food, and packs of dogs and wolves roam the streets.
 
To Lara it is hell itself, until she discovers it is a very special place where a particular cocktail of radiation poisoning has caused strange genetic mutations – like Will, the seductive stranger who is so different that even his fellow werewolves (the feared “lupi”) have rejected him.
 
But Will has many plans: to recover leadership of the werewolves; to rebuild his city; to gain acceptance of the lupi as the superior beings they can become - and to make Lara his life mate. 


You can also use the Damned Discount code :) Buy any of my Tales of the Damned series books at Changeling Press and take 10% off your entire order -- one order only -- with the code TalesOfTheDamned -- good now thru 02/28/2011.

Tales of the Damned include: City of the Damned (Ebook Collection); Christmas of the Damned (Christmas Cookie - short story); Dragul Rising (Ebook Collection) and Rogue Warriors (Ebook Collection). Probably best read in that order, but not strictly necessary :). Read more details on my website, http://www.marietreanor.com/, and at Changeling Press.

Marie