Hello! This is the author, providing you with a description of some Omegaverse terms and a quick background on how this universe came to be. To those who are already familiar, do know that this work diverts from some commonly established elements while retaining others. I took liberties and did changes depending on how I see fit.
What is Omegaverse?
Omegaverse is an alternate universe wherein mankind evolved secondary genders as a response to consistently low birth rates. These sub-genders follow the social hierarchy of wolves, namely: alpha, beta, omega (A/B/O). In this universe, people are ruled by their rationality but are guided by their instincts. The stronger their inner sub-gender is, the stronger the instincts.
Alpha - sub-gender considered to be at the highest rank, although few in numbers. They are known to be stronger, bigger, and smarter (or generally better) than most people, an adaptation to the need to protect and provide for their pack. They enter a period of heightened sexual activity and arousal, called rutting (or rut), four times a year wherein they lose control and only act upon the need to procreate. To ensure higher success in reproduction, the base of an alpha's organ will swell during mating before ejaculation (knotting/knot) to tie the two bodies together. Alphas are extremely territorial and will be combative if threatened.
Beta - sub-gender with the largest population. They are considered "normal" with no special characteristics like alphas and omegas. They can not bond and do not enter into heat/rut. They also have weaker pheromones and in turn, are less affected, allowing them to thrive in industries where being unfazed by pheromones is needed. They are the most rational out of the three sub-genders.
Omega - sub-gender considered to be the fertile counterpart of alphas, with both male and female capable of carrying life. They generally have attractive features and are known to be physically weaker and smaller than most people. Like alphas, they also enter a period of heightened libido and fertility, called heat, once a month wherein they will lose bodily control in favor of copulating. To feel safe and secure, omegas create a "nest" usually filled with soft things and possessions from loved ones. Entering or touching a nest without the omega's permission will cause the omega extreme distress and some may even attack. Various laws and safety measures are put in place to protect the omegas who are even fewer in numbers than alphas.
Other terms to note:
Pheromones - personal scent that conveys a person's emotion. The pheromones of alphas and omegas in rut/heat can induce sexual desire upon others except for blood-related family members. Scent-marking, or rubbing one's scent glands (typically around the wrist, but can also be done through the neck), is used to display possessive behavior. Scent patches can be used to block or minimize the smell of pheromones by neutralizing the scent.
Suppressants - medicine developed to restrain an alpha's rut and omega's heat, delaying it entirely or allowing them the awareness that is otherwise lost during this period. This is usually taken orally but can also be injected in emergency situations.
Bond (or pair-bond) - made by biting an alpha or omega on their scent glands to make them mates or lifetime partners. Once a bond is established, only mates are affected by each other's heat/rut and Command. This is akin to marriage and must be registered to the government. (Note: a pair-bond can only be done with the consent of all parties involved. The bond will not take hold otherwise.)
Command - unique ability of alphas to compel an omega. An alpha that successfully manages to repeatedly Command an omega will make them enter subspace and gain absolute control. It's illegal to Command omegas without consent, especially to unbonded omegas unless in extremely rare situations (e.g., an omega going feral in public)
Drop - a self-induced coma-like state that happens when an alpha or omega is rejected by their mate.
Courting (or courtship) - an alpha formally inviting an omega to be mates, often by gifting food or desired items marked with the alpha's scent. This is meant to display an alpha's capabilities: providing for and protecting the omega. This is process is usually done to have a higher chance of the bond taking hold, as it's meant to also satisfy a person's inner omega. (Some omegas take the initiate to court their alphas, but it is rare.)
Inhibitor - collar-like metal device worn around the neck; acts as both a suppressant and a form of birth control for omegas by completely blocking the scent gland from releasing pheromones. It used to be mandatory for omegas to wear inhibitors, but with the push for omega rights and the rapidly developing technology, inhibitors fell out of the norm. (Not to be confused with scent patches, as scent patches merely cover one's unique scent while inhibitors confine the pheromones inside the body. Think: not being able to sweat.)
More will be added if the need arises.
Hello.
If you're new to omegaverse, welcome! I know it can overwhelming with all the new terms, but I'll try best to make the transition as smooth as possible. It's okay not to know everything at once, just ride the wave and trust the captain.
If you're a veteran, please share this story with your fellow A/B/O-enthusiasts and let me know what you think. Reviews and comments are always appreciated!