Wolf Adept/Shaman, Trying to wrap my head around it... Options

[Gamble]

So...in a departure of what I was originally going to play as due to an about face of a few players and their concepts, I am not attempting to do a wolf adept type character. What I am looking for is suggestions on what would be good things to take. A little background for the character is that he would be more of the fighting type with his cougar fineblade and tomahawk for in close and a Ruger Warhawk for when he needs a bigger "bite". I see the need for a high magic for more powers, high dexterity to hit, relatively high strength for damage and a high reaction but not quite sure what else to take. The Wolf would be the mentor spirit naturally but not quite sure what others have done. I know some have gone the route of shapeshifting as well which I would be interested in as well.

What is everyone else's take/suggestion for such a character? Open to any and all suggestions. All books are allowed and a 450 BP game. All normal restrictions allowed.

Sidenote: I know that a good many suggest taking the restricted item for a force 4 foci from chargen but would a weapon foci be more appropriate for an adept from chargen?

Also do people suggest doing things like some bio/gene therapy for things like thermal, heightened sense of smell, etc and so forth?