Loup-garou
The Loup-garou were a supernatural race of werewolves that feature in the book Blood and Chocolate and the movie adaptation.
Background
The loup-garou or loup-garoux were a separate Human species from Humanity who referred to themselves as Homo Lupus. The race were supernaturally gifted with the power to change into wolf-like creatures by the goddess Selene. They possess the power to shapeshift at will though they are more inclined to change when the full moon approaches. However, once the full moon is in the sky, the individuals of the race must transform into their beastial forms. They were also given increased agility in their Human forms allowing them to perform leaps and jumps that would be difficult for a normal Human. Infact, they were capable of jumping from high floors to the ground without any injury or slowing down. Despite these advantages, they are not invincible and can be killed in the same way as Humans can - furthermore, they are vulnerable to silver bullets that have a toxic reaction when it enters their bloodstream. In addition to this, the race become more feral when they smell blood. The bite of the Loup-garou is not that of werewolf legends as they cannot turn a Human into one of their kind, instead only Loup-garou give birth to newer generations of their race.
In the times of old, they were worshipped by some Human societies as possessing the best qualities of both beast and man. However, in time they would become feared and hunted which led to the near extermination of the species who adopted a life of secrecy in order to continue living.
Their society is arranged in the pattern of a pack with the strongest male serving as the alpha leader of the group. The alpha male would take on a new mate every seven years as prophecy stated that the child of such a union would unite the loup-garou around the world. Though typically some mate for life. The rules of their society also state that they should not reveal their secret to Humans or engage in suspicious actions that might alert Humans of their existence. Though this law was often broken by young members of the race who enjoyed using their powers to intimidate, frighten or even kill Humans. Gabriels law included the saying "Hunt as a pack or not as all." Furthermore, when the leader of the pack arrives, it is customary for the Loup-garou to display their necks openly as a sign of respect by presenting themselves in a weaker position.
Some packs are known to capture certain Humans and hunt them in secluded forests as part of tradition as well as to signify how Humans have treated them. As part of the rules of these hunts, if the Human reaches the river then they are free to go though typically none survive the journey as they are hunted by packs of wolf-formed louf-garou. Furthermore, the Human is tied in the beginning with a female Loup-garou kissing him before they free him which signifies the hunt beginning.
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