#omegan

Secondary Genders:

Secondary Genders are the foundation of the Omegaverse. They dictate who is topping, who is bottoming, who has heats or ruts. There are three Secondary Genders, which are Alpha, Beta, and Omega, along with subtypes of each secondary gender called Tertiary Genders, which encompass delta, sigma, nu, mu, psi, xi, gamma, digamma, elipson, enigma, zeta, and theta.

List of most common second genders.

Here is some information about the main three Secondary Genders:

ALPHA:

Alphas and alpha-subtypes are the second most common Secondary Gender. Approximately 40% of the population are alphas. They are known for being natural leaders with predispositions towards violence, possessiveness, and aggression. However, a good alpha can also be an excellent provider and protector, caring deeply for their mate and/or pack.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTIONS OF AN ALPHA:

Alphas are usually larger than betas or omegas. The average height is between 5’7 to 6’4, 140-250 pounds, but this will vary from person to person.

In males, broad shoulders and traditionally “masculine” features are common, along with wide chests and thick torsos, large hands and feet, strong jaws, and a naturally high level of testosterone.

In females, larger frames, narrow hips ( due to inability to become impregnated, therefore rendering null the need to have a pelvic bone wide enough for childbearing ), and thicker distribution of body hair is common. 99% of female alphas are born without a uterus and do not have a menstrual cycle.

FANGS/INCISORS:

Fangs, also known as incisors or “canine teeth,” are a prominent alpha feature, biologically designed for marking their territory ( omegas or other packmates ).

Alpha fangs are usually half an inch to an inch long, and are thicker than other teeth and sharp. The larger the fangs, the more appeal they have. Fang care is very culturally important, with all pups ( no matter their secondary gender ) being taught to thoroughly brush their fangs for at least twenty seconds longer than the rest of their teeth. Bright white fangs and sharper fangs are seen as desirable traits.

Some alphas, especially asexual, aromantic, or aro-ace individuals, may choose to have their fangs filed down by a dentist to show that they do not have an interest in relationships or dating.

KNOTS:

A knot is a thick circle of tissue at the base of an alpha’s member. When they are hard, that tissue inflates into a knot-like formation, biologically designed to be thrust past the rim of an omega’s hole to lock them together while the alpha ejectulates, to ensure that the omega’s body receives as much seed ( also known as cum, semen, ect ) as possible, raising the possibility that they become pregnant.

A common slang term for this is being “pupped up,” or bred, meaning that an omega has been claimed, mated, knotted, and then impregnated by their alpha.

Male alpha knots are usually between two to four inches in thickness. Female alphas, who have an inverted member ( but still fully functioning ) much like that of a male dog hidden within a sheath and will only appear when stimulated, usually have knots that are slightly smaller.

Female alphas may or may not have a vagina. Most commonly they will not, as it would lead to nowhere except in the 1% of female alphas who are born with a uterus, but biological variations have been documented in between 3-7% of the female alpha population.

RUTS:

Ruts are exclusive to alphas and alpha subtypes. They usually occur annually or bi-annually, often in the spring and fall. During this time, an alpha’s instincts drive them to mate and knot a partner, to breed and produce offspring with them.

Ruts last between 3 and 10 days. During this time, alphas will have raised libido and stamina. They may become increasingly agitated, to the point where they may give in to instincts altogether and become “rabid.” This is a slang term, and does not actually mean that they are diseased, but instead means that they pose a serious danger to any omegas in the area, and will be aggressive towards other alphas to the point of physical altercations.

However, ruts can also be triggered by an omega’s heat, or during bonding. More on all three subjects can be found below.

Rut suppressants are an OTC ( over-the-counter ) medicine used to control and prevent alphas ruts, especially ruts brought on from scenting an omega in heat.

An alpha on suppressants will be more mellow, cohabitate with omegas and other alphas better, and experience a lower libido and decreased instincts.

It is recommended by doctors that alphas go off of their suppressants at least once every four years to allow the body’s natural needs to be met. If an alpha suppresses their ruts for too long, they can suffer physical symptoms such as depression, mood swings, intense irritability, increased aggression, restlessness, along with an oversensitive member and body pain. The longer an alpha suppresses their ruts, the stronger their rut will be after they go off of their suppressants.

Who can an alpha mate with?

Alphas CANNOT fully mate with other alphas. Alpha-alpha relationships are not common, but not unheard of. Alpha-alpha relationships will never produce pups, as alphas are unable to become pregnant.

Alphas CAN fully mate with female betas, since female betas have a fully functioning uterus and vagina. Female betas have a low fertility rate but can still become pregnant. However, due to their lack of strong pheromones, female betas are not the most desired mate for an alpha.

Alphas CANNOT fully mate with a male betas, as male betas do not have a functioning vagina or uterus. Alphas who partner up or bond with male betas will not produce pups. Therefore, male betas and alphas do not often bond, but do often partner up for casual hookups to help unmated alphas through their ruts.

PACKS AND PACK ALPHAS:

A pack is a group of two or more individuals that share a bond. This includes tight-knit friend groups, family groups, or polycules.

Not all friends are packmates. Pack is the strongest bond that can be shared between individuals who ARE NOT mated to each other. Mated individuals can still be part of a pack while retaining a special, separate bond with their partner.

Packs often live together, sharing food, rent, and sleeping space. Non-sexual intimacy is crucial for the pack bond to remain strong. Cuddles, hugs, kisses, and sharing beds and nests are all common practices among packs.

Packs often include siblings or relatives but do not have to. A person can and often is part of more than one pack at the same time. For example, a person may be a part of a family pack ( parents, siblings, and the individual ) and one to two friend packs. Usually a person will have one specific pack they are closest to.

Another common pack structure is that of the POLYCULE. This is where multiple individuals are mated to one another to form a pack like those made by wolves. It is in these packs that the PACK ALPHA is the most prominent figure.

The pack alpha is often the most senior alpha in a pack. They are entitled to control over the other pack members, but may be forced from their position by unanimous vote if they are abusing their power.

In a family pack, the pack alpha would be the oldest alpha relative. This may mean an alpha mother, alpha father, alpha grandparent, or eldest alpha sibling is the pack alpha.

In a friend pack, the pack alpha would be the alpha who had been in the friend group the longest, or the oldest alpha in the group.

In a polycule pack, the pack alpha would be the most dominant alpha. They would have the right to breed and mate all omegas in the polycule, as well as partner up with the betas in the polycule. The pack alpha may, in some polycules, also have intercourse with other alphas in the relationship.

HOW PACK ALPHAS ARE ESTABLISHED:

Pheromones:

Whichever alpha has the strongest pheromonal presence has a natural predisposition to be the dominant alpha in any situation or in a pack.

Pheromones are also known as “scent.” Every person has a scent based on their pheromones that communicates their mood and what their body is feeling. There is a distinct scent for a person who is sad, happy, angry, or anxious. Alphas and omegas have the strongest natural pheromonal scents.

Physical strength or seniority:

Whichever alpha is physically the strongest may be more likely to be a pack alpha. This will usually not apply if there are multiple younger alphas in their prime versus a senior alpha, as an older alpha will naturally hold a more authoritative presence.

Unanimous decision:

Oftentimes, an alpha will become the pack alpha simply because they have proven that they can protect and provide for their pack. An ideal pack alpha is firm but not harsh and possessive but not controlling. This is often the case in family packs.

For example, a family might have an alpha father and beta mother. They would have children, thus creating a pack. Because the father is the most senior alpha, he would be considered the pack alpha.

Another viable example would be a polycule with two alphas, two betas, and one omega. The pack alpha would be the one of the two alphas who is stronger, more dominant, and has a more prominent pheromonal presence. The pack alpha will likely “pup up” the omega, mate and bondmark the betas, and packmark and bondmark the other alpha. The other alpha may be allowed to also mate with the omega and betas, depending on the polycule’s personal decisions and consent.

PACKMARKS, BONDMARKS, AND SCENT GLANDS:

Scent glands are one of the most important things to understand in the Omegaverse. Scent glands are small glands beneath the skin, often appearing as a bump or not at all, that produce pheromones and the unique “scent” of alphas, betas, and omegas.

( screenshot above is not mine )

Alphas usually have three scent glands, one on the nape of their neck and one on each of their inner thighs. They produce the “dominant” scent that alphas are known for, which allows them to force an omega, beta, or lesser-ranking alpha to submit to them ( both in a societal sense and for mating ). An alpha’s scent is extremely important to their omega ( if they are mated to one ). Their scent can calm their omega down in an instant and provides safety and security for their omega.

Omegas can have as few as two scent glands or as many as eight. The usual position for these glands are on the nape of their neck, one on each side of their neck, and one on each inner thighs, along with one on each inner wrist. They produce the “submissive” scent that omegas are known for, which naturally catches the attention of alphas. This scent is described as “sweet” or “alluring,” especially when an omega goes into heat, which is when their scent is the strongest and will be almost irresistible to an alpha and can cause any nearby alphas to go “rabid.” HERE is a post about nesting that is canon to my Omegaverse au ( not mine ). Omegas can produce a plethora of soothing scents, ranging from scents used to comfort pups or other distraught omegas, calm down an agitated alpha, or to self-soothe.

Betas often only have one scent gland at the nape of their neck and one on each wrist. Their scent is described as “weak” or “blank.” They produce very few pheromones except the ones used in secondary gender identification, marking them as a beta. They can also produce “safe scents” used to soothe an omega who has been upset by an alpha. Betas are like the gay best friend, in a way, comforting a person after a breakup.

The diagram above is a common example of scent gland placement, but this will vary from person to person.

PACK MARKS are not placed upon any scent glands EXCEPT for the parental or platonic, UNLESS that pack is also a polycule. A packmark are bitten marks that show that a person is a part of a pack, completing the pack bond, and will only remain as long as the pack bond is strong. If the pack bond is too weak or the pack splits up, the mark will fade into a pale white scar instead of a pink mark.

BONDMARKS are placed upon scent glands. They are bitten marks to show that two individuals are mated and bonded to each other in partnership. If the bond becomes too weak, the mark will fade into a pale white scar instead of a pink mark.

A mating/partner bond is a deep connection between two individuals that partially connects their emotions, thoughts, and psyches. It can also be called a soul bond. It is said that bonding with the person you want to spend your life with is one of the single most fulfilling experiences a person will ever have. Emotions are at an all-time high, and both omegas and alphas have described it as finding their "missing piece." Bonding between an omega and beta, alpha and beta, or other less common secondary genders is less intense due to the beta's lack of pheromones and lessened instincts, but is still a very intimate affair.

Pack bonds are not so much finding a "missing piece" as a feeling of deep connection, comradery, and something "bigger than yourself." This will change in polycule packs, when the members are not only packmates but also bondmates.

Note:

If a bonded omega is neglected by their alpha, causing the bond to fade, the omega will suffer detrimental physical and mental effects, ranging from deep depression, low mood, intense anxiety, body pain, fevers, headaches, flu-like symptoms, low energy, increased nesting, and more. The longer the omega is neglected, the more serious the symptoms will become. Severe omega neglect can lead to death and is punishable by court-mandated couples counseling and even heavy jail time if the bond is broken.

OMEGAS

Omegas and omega-subtypes are the third most common secondary gender. About 10% of the population are omegas.

Omegas are physically smaller, weaker, and more sensitive than alphas and betas. They get stereotyped as submissive stay-at-home spouses, but omegas actually have a wide span of individual personalities. Some omegas may be more prone to defensiveness due to instinctive fear of more dominant secondary genders, even coming off as snappy or aggressive. Other omegas fit a softer, more nurturing description, being good with pups and being naturally empathetic and companionable.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTIONS OF AN OMEGA:

Male omegas are usually between 5’0 and 5’7, weighing roughly between 100–180 pounds. They usually have smaller builds than alphas and betas, though their body types may range from slender, trim, stocky, pudgy, or more. Big eyes and soft skin, as well as the traditional “sweet” omega scent are key ways to spot an omega. Male omegas also don’t produce as much testosterone as male betas or male alphas, leading to less muscle mass and gentler features. They can be extremely agile and fast due to low distribution of body fat.

Male omegas typically have “litters” of 2-3 pups at a time due to their smaller womb size compared to female omegas. However, more than 50% of male omegas who have had multiple pregnancies report that at least one pregnancy produced a non-litter ( singular ) pup.

Female omegas are usually between 4’9 and 5’5, weighing roughly between 100–190 pounds. They most commonly have small, curvy builds, small breasts, and wide hips to accommodate pups during childbirth. They have difficulty gaining muscle mass and usually have more body fat to naturally sustain them during pregnancy.

Female omegas usually have litters of 2-6 pups at a time. Pups from litters may be significantly smaller than a non-litter pup, appearing premature, but with no actual health risk to the newborn. Studies have shown that litter-born pups evolve to have higher levels of competitive, extrovertive, and social behavior in adulthood due to the early bonds they make with their littermates.

Like alphas, omegas have “fangs.” However, their fangs are much smaller, thinner, and more blunt, since they are only used for claiming bites after an alpha has already claimed and mated the omega. Some omegas won’t even use their fangs at all, since marking their alpha is not necessary for the bond to be completed. They will often use their fangs for small nibbles and nips, especially along the jawline or neck, to show affection, companionship, or possessiveness. This is common between both mates and friends.

HEATS:

Heats are exclusive to omegas and omegan subtypes. They usually occur annually or bi-annually, often in the spring and fall. During this time, an omega’s instincts drive them to mate and be knotted by a partner, to breed and produce offspring with them.

Heats last between 1 and 3 days. During this time, omegas will have an extremely raised libido. They may become agitated, defensive, clingy, or anxious. Heats are emotionally taxing both mentally and physically for omegas.

Further information about heats has sadly had to be removed due to the post being flagged. Google can provide further information, since my Omegaverse AU is compliant with canon Omegaverse heat info. Seriously, though, it’s not fair that people post things far more explicit than this and yet somehow this gets flagged???

Betas

Betas and beta-subtypes are the most common Secondary Gender, making up roughly 50% of the population.

They're known for being the bridge between alpha and omega, the in-between "average joes" who are neither dominant or submissive. Betas are known for their level-headedness, loyalty, and trustworthiness, and they can be heat partners for omegas or rut partners for alphas.

PHYSCIAL DESCRIPTION OF A BETA:

Male betas can be anywhere from 5'0 to 6'0, 120-180 pounds, with light to moderate muscles and average builds. They have less testosterone than male alphas but over 30% more than male omegas. Their reproductive organs are the same as male alphas’, but they lack a knot.

Female betas can be anywhere from 4’8 to 5’8, 130-180 pounds, with light to moderate muscles and less fat distribution than female omegas. They usually have larger breasts but narrower hips, as female betas have a lower fertility rate and usually can only have 2-3 pups before becoming infertile. Instead of litters, female betas also usually have one pup at a time. Female betas have the same internal reproductive organs ( uterus, ovaries, ect ) as a female omega, but do not have heat cycles. Instead, most female betas have menstrual cycles of 28-30 days. However, up to 25% of female betas report that they have no menstrual cycles, which lowers their fertility rate further.

Betas lack fangs. They do, however, have canine incisors ( as regular humans in our world do ).