This is an in-world synopsis of 16 short stories: NONE of the stories are alike. This chapter comes across a bit like a textbook. The stories are NOT written like this.

These stories are excerpts of a survey performed by Lykos-Lexi (the foremost lycanthrope science journal) into how relationships form from human males to female werewolves, as submitted by the were community, from various sources.

Once submitted, they were sorted by the age they met (specifically the male's age, although being the same age as your mate is fairly standard to werewolves under the age of 18, no matter the other variables), then further by circumstances held in common.

(The age ranges were chosen by how well they fit to being categorized together. For example, 0-6 months could fit with 7 months-5 years, except that mates who find each other before they can crawl tend to accept their differences without a need for fantasy, while any male after that stage has a tendency towards being imaginative. Further division within the age range was again, due to not fully having the same traits. For example, a human mate who is terrified of their werewolf mate--6-12 years, type 1 is not likely the type to enjoy fantasy 6-12 years, type 2. The age ranges were chosen after the data came in, not beforehand.)

The goal at the start was simply to learn about these rare pairings, but as things progressed, some relationship types showed a need for caution, perhaps even a dire need for counseling.

The Omega Council called for an expansion beyond data compilation, where the reader can get a more personal grasp on such relationships, with a preference towards successful relationships. Not all types have happy endings, not all respondants are decent storytellers, and not all the entries were made for this journal inquiry.

Notable stories follow as examples that can explain the types of relationships that form based upon the age the couple meets (not necessarily the same age as when they mate).

Caution: anything over 100 cases has outliers that do not fit type.

Reminder: The age of meeting is not the age of forming an adult relationship.

Short descriptions follow:

Age of first meeting: 0-6 months.
3 cases:

1. Transitioned pup ate several fingers and toes off her mate. Other than that, nothing story-worthy. Parented damn near half a pack. Other 2 cases, parents had more sense that to put a shifted pup next to a helpless human. Nothing noteable. Prolific. (All 3 accepted the difference as normal, not noticeably fantasizing about super powers.)

Age of first meeting: 7 months to 5 years.
22 cases, 1 type:

1. The two play innocent childhood games, such as superheroes (like Batman and Catwoman) until the male is old enough to obsess with sex. First child by late teens. Also prolific.

Age of first meeting: 6 to 12 years.
143 cases, 3 types:

1. Scared shitless. Spend most the time thinking their mate is a nightmare. A few manage to kill their mate, and struggle with depression for the rest of their lives. Others reconcile, once the male grows some balls.

2. Fan-nerding. Not too old for role play, as no male truly grows up, but keenly aware that their were mate has the abilities, and not themselves. Time is wasted on trying to figure out what value there is in themselves, at worst, but they have no doubts in their mates. Good stories could be made out of this, but it's about self-growth, not the relationship.

3. The human parents move around most during this phase. The mates lose track of each other and meet again much later in life--if they meet again.

Age of first meeting: 13-18 years.
1002 cases, 3 types:

1. "I want a normal life." It comes from all walks of life, but there is a huge strain of abuse cases in this rank. They may want to be saved from those who torment them, but there is a pile of conflict on being saved by your female mate. Others are due to being raised too rigidly or a lack of imagination.

2. Man whore: runs parallel to Alpha man whores. No real difference but that his mate can beat the shit out of him...and should in most cases.

3. Thirsty virgins. They don't care what you are as long as you're hot and they can poke you.

Age of first meeting: 19-32 years.
2981 cases, 4 types:

1. Incel. Comes in all political flavors. Sex flips a switch, where they will give up everything about themselves to continue to have sex. The only thing consistent on them is "bitter hag" behaviors take years to cure.

2. Aging man whore. Depends on how tired he is of his life as to what he chases. Some find a guaranteed commitment attractive, and others want to play the aging roué.

3. "Hey, I'm supposed to be the badass!" Men that are used to being the strength in their relationships suddenly up against a "supernatural female". Most adjust.

4. Actively seeking to settle down, surprised to get a guarantee, in spite of the catch.

Age of first meeting: 33-55.
1964 cases, 3 types:

1. Midlife crisis leads to a woman they can't get rid of. A good half of them ruin 1st marriages this way. All are known to be faithful mates from that point on, but the extended families make for tensions weres rarely face.

2. Misidentified as incels. They aren't angry, they just don't care about your feelings. They expect a traditional 1950s relationship. A were bride is a compromise on that--one that they often can live with.

3. Human Alphas: corporate executives. Between expecting obedience on practically a pack level and having secret Sub kinks, were mates fit them pretty well.

Age of first meeting: 56 +
63 cases, 1 type:

1. They get a mate that is often younger or at least youthful, in the last years of their life. Relationship veterans, extremely grateful that some youthful female is even remotely interested. Most awkward part of the relationship is raising a family that late in life.

~In total, 16 stories follow.~

Guest Editor: Lyon Pierce