It has come to the authors attention that the appearances and abilities of the wolf demon class of makai has been left unclear. Wolf demons are primarily social creatures although the stronger individuals occasionally chose a lone wolf lifestyle. Ethnocentric by nature, they feel a certain pride and superiority over other demons, yet they feel that each race and individual has their proper place. They live in tribal society with different sects and social classes that are subject to change according to the whim of the leader which will be discussed later. At the bottom of the social class are the children. Although cubs are seen as gifts from The Great, they are thought to be expendable until they reach a certain age. Infants can be abandoned or killed without consequence if for a good reason. If a mother has not finished raising one litter and is unable to provide or care for the next (especially in times of drought, famine or war), infants may be abandoned, killed, or even eaten in times of desperation. Cannibalism is frowned upon outside of particular contexts but not unpracticed. It is particularly used to show extreme disrespect to a dispelled enemy or to the other extreme, the love of a fallen family member ((dead loved ones were sometimes eaten as a personal sacrifice of self to starving family or to take the lost into the body of the living) If anyone is interested, the practice of eating dead loved ones is practiced in a few tribal human societies as well.) Children are thought to be souless after birth and are given names only at least a week after birth. To name a child ties it to the world, and if a child is named too early and dies as an infant then it is thought that it would stay behind and haunt the family especially in twins. Twinning is uncommon in wolf demon births and not to be confused with litter mates. Twins are solely identical and thought to partially share a soul. (If anyone is curious as to where the author got a few ideas of the twinning concept of wolf demon birth, type ibeji into your search engine but note that the carving system is not practiced with the wolf demons).

Just above or even socially equal to children are slaves and prostitutes. Since wolves believe that everyone has their place, no one is treated better or worse, but there are boundaries that every lower class must adhere to in the society. For example, prostitutes and slaves cannot under any circumstances where white or yellow under penalty of death. Also they must always keep their hair cut short to differentiate themselves, yet any other class can wear their hair as they see fit. (In a side note, wolf demons hair grow back the day after it is cut, so maintaining a look is a daily chore). Even after they are freed or retired, they cannot leave their class unless they above their station (contrary to the more common practice of uppers marrying beneath their station) which is rare.

Lower class include the poor and the elderly or maimed. (although the elderly are esteemed highly since wolf demons biologically age slowly if not at all depending of genetics). Those who rely on others for their livelihood are seen as weak in a society where strength and independence is valued.

Middle class are intellectuals, or those who do not perform physical labor but use slaves for such purposes. (not including the leading aristocracy which will be explained).

High class are warriors, hunters and strangely enough, farmers. Land is power. Strength and ability to fight is highly prized. The more wars fought and the more enemies conquered by an individual gives them higher status. Tattoos or intricate and difficult scarification is often used to show case ones fighting prowess. (scarification will be explained shorty). Since meat and blood is the dietary staple, hunters who sell fresh meat at market daily are important for their keen tracking ability and cunning. However, any self respecting wolf demon would hunt for their own food and often makes up excuse when seen buying from a hunter as to why they could not hunt for themselves.

The artistocracy did not come into play until the rule of Gino, Naiyo's father. He himself did not want to take on the burden of ruling so he organized a group of leaders to control the wolf demon lands while he himself lived as he wanted with all of the clout of the figurehead but no responsibility. He partook in his own perversions unbothered and the leader leeched off of those they considered as beneath them.

Figureheads are chosen by birthright. Usually the first born. Although males and females are considered equals (though many individuals see differently) they each have their respective roles to play in the society. Having a male leader was more of a tradition than a rule of thumb. However, if a female was the first born, she was either killed (and thought to be reborn later since the soul had not yet entered) or hidden until the first male was old enough to appear older than the female in stature.

Gino was the last born in litter of all male cubs. He strategically picked off his brothers to become the Alpha. Natasha, Naiyo's mother, was a Christian teen who traveled abroad to Japan for her studies. Very intelligent and physical, she studied dance and martial arts, namely taichi. (Her family is originally from the New Orleans). Gino and his companions (who still remain unknown) snuck into the Ningenkai for fun and happened to cross paths with Natasha as she jogged through a neighborhood park. They kidnapped her taking her to Makai and repeatedly raped her. Naiyo and her twin was the result thought to be fathered by the strongest male. Natasha became both Gino's concubine and slave. She managed to escape and went into labor during her flight in the dark makai forest. Still running and in pain, she managed to get back into the human world (how is unknown) to be found by Genkai. Genkai happened to hear a baby crying and ventured out into a sudden downpour to investigate. She found Natasha bloody and unconscious with two infants, one crying and writhing between her thighs, the other stillborn in her arms.

(forward)

Figureheads or anyone with a station can be challenged for right of said station by wolf demon at anytime. The challenger, if they win, is immediately recognized as the holder of the station regardless of their previous class. If the challenger looses, they are beaten terribly by the challenged but rarely killed to serve as an example to any potential usurpers. The challenger is not allowed to challenge that person again for 3 months (which is the wolf age progression equivalent of one year. Note how fast the cubs grow). Naiyo was leader by birthright but had to challenger her father for recognition as Alpha. After his defeat, she immediately came into power just in time for an impending war which she had part in beginning since her enslavement.

If there are any questions or inconsistencies please let me know.