Shifters
I'm not sure that it would either. For the most part, I don't think we necessarily need to be with a pack although the benefits you describe certainly make it sound very appealing. I wish it was an option for me.
Mercy
Well...to be honest, I have been out and about in the past. If there are other animals around who can help curb my aggressive tendencies, I actually seem to be pretty sane. The potion apparently can make that happen although its makes me very tired too. I was just really nervous about how it would work here so I thought it best to take precautions.
I like being out and about a lot better than being contained but I worry that people would be concerned if they found out.
As a wolf, I'm really more of a monster feral being than anything else. I want to attack anything for no real reason. As a human, I really only start to get more wolf-ish when the moon gets close. I usually feel sick and more irritable, sometimes start having cravings. Does that answer your questions?