Thinking about how real wolf facts might affect how the Shaw pack/shifters act as humans, part 2: Looks and Physicality
Part 1: Behaviour, can be found here
Disclaimer: I’m aware the shaw pack are humans not dogs! I’m not trying to de-humanise them, anyways on with the headcanons lol
Starting with their looks, you ever heard that rumour that all baby’s are born with blue eyes? Well that’s actually true for most wolves.
The shifters eyes change colour when their powers come through for the first time, they then remain the same as their wolf form when they shift back. (As opposed to wolves who’s eyes change within about two months after birth)
A lot of the shifters opt for undercuts as their hair is simply too thick and layered to cope with. Especially in warm climates. Babe also gave themselves one once to join in.
When dealing with said hair a lot of them will brush/dry/braid it for the members they’re closer to in the pack. This is one of Sam’s favourite things cause god he loves a head message and he also loves doing Darlin’s hair in the shower.
They also just play with each others hair a lot when they’re relaxing
Different accents from different regions such as Milo’s and Antons still translate over to their wolf. The houls can sounds completely different to the rest of the packs. But they’re pack nonetheless and therefore still instinctively recognisable to the other pack members.
The members of the pack with darker fur when shifted are less likely to contract viruses and are therefore considered more reliable/ more likely to be alpha when it comes to shifter packs.
This does mean when David is sick, he is well and truly down for the count as he’s not used to it.
Also meaning anyone you hc to have lighter hair probably has a weaker immune system (Darlin has white hair truthers I’m looking at you 👀)
(Disclaimer/me pausing to be a nerd: This is not completely true when it comes to wolves, however black coated wolves have been found to be less likely to contract canine contempt virus which is highly deadly. This is because the colour occurs from them having dogs genes mutated with their own!)
Wolves can hear other wolves howls from miles away. So when it comes to shifters hearing they can infact pick up the sounds of other shifters easier than they can with others.
Shifter couples tend to try to sleep together / on the same schedule, overwise they’ll just end up waking each other up
Don’t think this means a human can sneak up easy on a shifter, they’re hearing and eye sight are still very advanced compared to humans. (Wolves have a field of vision of about 250° compared to humans at 150° and their noses can pick up on thermal radiation.)
So I believe most shifters have a pretty good idea of their surrounding/ what’s going on behind their back.
Shifters tend to run warmer but their noses and fingers can actually often be cold. Angel plays with David’s hands a lot and will often find themself rubbing them to warm him up even though he’s boiling laid against them.
There have also been many times Milo has kissed sweetheart and they’ve flinched away cause his nose is so cold on their face.
With the awareness of what’s going on behind them, if a shifter is laying down they will often prefer to lay on their stomach. This is seen as less vulnerable even if they can’t see. (Wolves see it as submissive to have their stomach showing)
With their sight, wolf shifters also have a higher chance of being colourblind red/green specifically. And if they wear glasses it will only be for the fact they’re nearsighted.
Lastly as this is getting long. A lot of shifters walk on their tip-toes or lean their weight more to the front of their feet. Asher is the biggest culprit for this. Babe thinks it’s adorable. He slips a lot.
Calves for days though.
Anyways I’ll make a part three for dynamics, see you then!!
