What’s an omegaverse?

Omegaverse is an alternate universe that follows wolf hierarchy, where “alpha, beta, and omega” are regarded as a secondary gender. These genders are determined at birth. World-building is common depending on the author’s vision, so it’s normal to see a wide variety of tropes, terms, and character development.

This novel has concepts that are traditionally found within this genre, some that are newer, and a few I made up myself. 

A/B/O

Alphas are ranked as the highest of the genders. They’re physically stronger, assertive, overprotective of their territory, and can intimidate others with their scent. These “top dogs” of society usually have leadership careers such as CEOs, managers, directors, etc. When overstimulated, their canine teeth may extend.

They make up 15 percent of the population. 

Even rarer are dominants, who possess stronger pheromones and have the ability to control other average alphas and omegas for a short amount of time with their scent. Dominants are the least evolved compared to the other genders and are easily triggered to revert to their primal instincts.

Their rutting (see rut below) periods are called “seasons.”

Betas are everyday humans and vampires, comprising 80 percent of the population. They do not have a scent gland that produces pheromones. Procreating with an alpha is possible, but chances of having a child with an omega are rare.

Omegas make up 5 percent of the population. They’re typically smaller in body structure and are not as physically strong as alphas and betas. A common trait is their feminine features, no matter the sex. Like alphas, each omega has a unique scent to attract a mate.

Male omegas have the capability to become pregnant like females can, though higher risk because of their smaller uterus. If an omega is marked (see marking below) on their nape by an alpha’s bite, he or she is forever bonded to that individual. Of the 5 percent total number of omegas, only 1 percent are male.

Dominant omegas went extinct in the 1800s, but it’s believed they had the same primal instincts when stimulated and could control average alphas and omegas with their scent. There are not many records about them.

Their heat (see heat below) periods are called “cycles.” 

Vampire Pheromone Sac

All alpha vampires have a sac in their skull, on the right side above the roof of their mouth. This is filled with pheromone venom. If injected into the prey’s body through a bite, the venom can either 1) calm down an omega during heats or nesting, 2) subdue a mate into submission without using the body’s pheromone scent, or 3) stimulate sexual pleasure.

An alpha vampire celebrity got their sac surgically removed due to the assumption that human omegas were extinct, rendering the gland useless. This started the trend to get the sac taken out.

Omega Drop

This is a self-induced coma by an omega if faced with a threatening situation, such as being scared or hurt. An omega needs their mate to pull them out of the drop; otherwise, it can be life-threatening.

During a drop, an omega will experience a decrease in bodily functions to look less appealing to the attacker, including 1) a decrease in pheromones, 2) organ shut down, 3) shallow breaths, and 4) lower body temperature.

Guarding

An alpha becomes overprotective and feral, sometimes attacking anyone that they deem a threat toward their mate. There have been occasions of them killing someone. The guarding instinct becomes stronger during pregnancy.

An omega drop can also trigger it. During a drop, the alpha may “black out” and guard, focusing on their mate’s recovery and keeping others away. They can attack if anyone gets too close to their partner.

Omega Hibernation

Omegas are sensitive to hot temperatures. If their bodies become overheated, an omega will enter hibernation, usually in their nest. It can last a few days or longer, depending on their body’s condition. Their body temperature will decrease during the process. Hibernation does not pose a danger to the omega. Unlike a drop, an omega will wake up on their own. 

Scent Glands

A scent gland is a kidney-shaped organ located in the crook of an alpha and an omega’s neck. Pheromones are produced here, giving off a scent unique to each person. The wrist and anus don’t have a gland but can hold scent longer than other places of the body. The wrist is a popular spot for a mate to lick.

Scent Marking

Mates or partners will transfer their scent on each other. This can be done through touching—rubbing cheeks, holding hands, hugging, etc. The scent will last on the other for a few hours before disappearing. It can also be transferred through body liquids like saliva and semen.

Pheromone Shower

An alpha or omega may “shower” their mate or partner with their pheromones by giving off their scent in large bursts. It can be physically taxing for the one giving the shower, so it cannot be done often. The scent will stay on their partner for a few days, erasing the partner’s original scent temporarily. It can be strong enough to deter others from getting too close. 

Due to it being a public nuisance and can cause nearby people to become sick by pheromone thickness, they may be asked to return home until the shower wears off.

Purring / Rumbling

Purring is a natural response by omegas, similar to a cat. The sound usually signifies happiness, content, or playfulness, but it can also indicate distress.

An alpha’s rumble is like a purr, but deeper and lower.

These two genders can communicate this way, called “purr language.”

Heat

An omega will experience their first heat cycle between 18–21 years old. It’s their most fertile time, meaning they’re ready to conceive. Their sexual arousal increases tenfold. It’s common for an omega to lose their cognitive ability, relying on their instincts to mate.

A heat cycle occurs during specific seasons of the year. Some may be spring/summer, fall/winter, etc, occurring 2-3 times per cycle. More can be triggered if there’s an alpha in rut nearby, regardless of the time of year.

Signs that a heat will come soon are 1) a sudden increase in body temperature and 2) a change in pheromone scents. A heat will come in “waves,” providing the omega rest time to eat and sleep in between. It lasts generally from three days to a week.

The heat intensity of a dominant omega is unknown.

Rut

This is the alpha’s version of a heat. But unlike a heat cycle, which are usually regular throughout the year, an alpha’s rut occurs during specific seasons of the year. Some may be spring/summer, fall/winter, etc, occurring 2-3 times per season. More can be triggered if there’s an omega in heat nearby, regardless of the time of year.

Signs that a rut will come soon are 1) a sudden decrease in body temperature and 2) a change in pheromone scents.

It can be aggressive and possessive. They lose their rationality and become obsessed with impregnation. Unlike heats, ruts do not come in waves. An alpha will sleep only after they’re satisfied, then wake up to seek sexual intercourse again.

Two to four days is normal for one rut. A dominant alpha in rut can experience a longer rutting session of up to a week.

Nesting

Nesting occurs for a few reasons, such as 1) after a “failed” heat, where conception wasn’t successful, 2) when an omega is stressed, 3) an omega misses their alpha, or 4) the instinct to build one while pregnant. They choose a comfortable spot such as a bed, closet, bedroom, couch, etc., and gather soft objects and familiar scented things for comfort. They use these items to create a nest in the form of a circle, cave, fort, tent, and so on.

Nesting can help relieve anxiety. They may occasionally “black out” while they’re doing it and not remember making a nest. At times, an omega can self-harm or be aggressive if anyone tries to enter the nest. If an omega is in hibernation, placing them in their nest can help them wake up earlier because of the comforting scents.

Presenting

An omega gets in a doggy-style position to “present” their bodies to the alpha. Alphas are attracted to this position the most since it is easier to knot the uterus and provides full access for breeding.

Courting

An alpha will prove their worth to a potential mate through strength, money, genes, or whatever they can to gain an omega’s attention.

Marking

An alpha bites an omega’s nape to create a bond, making them a pair for life. This mixes their scents, so other alphas will immediately know if an omega is taken. A mark leaves a ring of teeth marks from the bite. The first marking will leave a permanent scar.

An omega may also bite an alpha on their nape, but this is purely to mix scents and for comfort. The mark will heal and disappear, as if it is a normal wound.

An alpha can mark several omegas, while an omega can only be marked once. 

Marking will usually deter non-mates from pursuing that omega, since smelling another alpha in their nape can cause nausea and is generally a turn-off, but not 100% proof that an alpha won’t attack.

Mock Marking

This is when an alpha doesn’t bite directly on the omega’s nape, such as the shoulder. It tricks the alpha’s body into thinking they created a successful marking. It doesn’t work often, but when it does, this could end a rut early since the pheromones believe a mark was actually made.

Some betas will allow their alpha partner to bite their neck since betas can’t be marked. It can sometimes satisfy an alpha in rut.

Remarking

An alpha bites their omega’s nape again. It’s mainly for bonding reassurance and won’t scar.

Slick

Slick is a thick, clear lubricant secreted from male omegas’ anus during heats or sexual arousal.

Knotting

During the peak of sexual intercourse, the alpha’s genitals will enlarge twice its size to lock inside the omega’s uterus, trapping the semen. This increases the chances of insemination. A knot can’t be released until the genitals decrease in size, which can take anywhere from fifteen minutes to an hour, sometimes longer.

Knotting is an uncommon occurrence.

Destined Partner / Fated Pair

This is an alpha and omega who were born to be together. Most know immediately if they meet their fated one, but some couples take time to realize it depending on the emotional and mental state of the person.

Once an alpha marks their fated partner, both will experience separation symptoms if apart for too long. This includes chills, fever, bodily aches, migraines, and nausea. The longer they are apart, the worse the symptoms become.

An omega may experience irregular heats if they meet their destined mate without being marked. The same goes for an alpha’s rut.