Recently in the podcast Discord community, Jfhobbit was giving a thorough and very thoughtful explanation of Omegaverse and its variations, and I asked her to expand on those thoughts for anyone who has heard of but isn’t super well-versed in Omegaverse fiction, its tropes, and its history. Plus, she offers recommendations of some of her faves.
Jfhobbit is a long-time reader, writer, and English teacher. She reads in almost every romance genre under the sun, plus Sci-Fi/Fantasy and Historical Fiction. She lives in Germany with her spouse and two very spoiled cats, and spends her time reading, playing cozy video games, and walking around her area marveling at the layers of history in the architecture. She loves all sorts of romance, from sweet contemporaries to the knottiest monster books she can find. She got into Omegaverse stories via DeviantArt and soon after KU was introduced she dove headfirst into the cornucopia of different Omegaverse takes.
An educator by training, she often finds herself in the role of teaching people about the Omegaverse and other weird and wild romance trends that they may have only vaguely heard of.
What is Omegaverse?
“Omegaverse” is an umbrella term for any setting that includes characters who have a secondary sexual distinction that influences attraction, relationship roles, and fertility compatibility. The primary sexual distinction spectrum is still male/female and the secondary spectrum is most commonly spread across the three categories of Alpha, Beta, and Omega (AKA A/B/O).
Anyone who is an Alpha can sire children.
Anyone who is an Omega can bear children, so yes, this will be talking about male pregnancy, or mpreg for short.
Betas have the potential to do both but only as determined by their primary sexual distinction (male or female), and the roles they play (or whether or not they exist in the world) vary based on fics.
Where did it come from?
Short answer, fanfic.
Longer answer: The Supernatural fandom who turned to Real Person Fiction because they desired a way to ship the two main characters without crossing the incest line + an early 2000s TV show that Jensen Ackles was in that featured heats + bad wolf science* as popularized by werewolf/wolf shifter fiction + desire for a M/M pairing to be able to have children without a third party involved = Omegaverse, which then quickly got picked up by many, many other fandoms and jumped the fanfic barrier into (mostly indie) published novels by the early 2010s.
Omegaverse stories have been a staple of AO3 and KU alike. Many people point to Bride by Ali Hazelwood as one of the first Omegaverse novels published by an established big name, but in my opinion it was actually just paranormal with knotting.
One of the best known Omegaverse authors is Kathryn Moon (Baby & the Late Night Howlers).
*Bad wolf science refers to the studies done on captive wolf populations between 1950-1980s that observed the behavior of unrelated wolves forced to exist in the same space over long periods of time, which first introduced the idea of Alpha, Beta, and Omega roles in a wolf pack. Behavioral studies done in the decades since on wild wolf populations have conclusively disproven this as being “the natural order of things.”
Terms:
Alpha
Alphas tend to be physically larger and stronger, and are often brash and aggressive, but also have very strong protective drives particularly when it comes to their mate(s). Alphas can always sire children, with female Alphas developing either an extended/engorged clitoris that functions as a cock or an Extendo-Cock that emerges from that general area when they are aroused or in a rut. Alphas often have a semi-mystical ability to use Alpha compulsion to enforce their will, usually through a mixture of pheromones. Other times, they can use the same pheromones or a “purr” to comfort or calm someone down (especially a mate).
Omega
Omegas can always bear children, and are typically smaller in stature and less aggressive. Omegas are usually cast as the nurturer, homemaker, and generally submissive. How far those roles go and how much characters have to adhere to them depends on the author. Male Omegas cannot impregnate anyone. They usually experience semi-regular heats, which often triggers an Alpha’s rut.
Beta
Betas occupy the vast middle ground between the comparatively rigid Alpha and Omega roles. Some Omegaverse stories cut them out entirely, while others put them in a societal role that essentially boils down to “the ones who make sure society doesn’t come crashing down while the Alphas and Omegas fall prey to their hormones.” Often worlds will make Alphas and Omegas more rare designations, while the bulk of the population are Betas. Betas tend to be either fully infertile, or a normal amount of fertile (as opposed to Alphas and Omegas who are almost always hyperfertile during the heat/rut).
Mates/Fated Mates
This concept is not unique to the Omegaverse, but it is very prevalent in most Omegaverse stories. With the hormones and pheromones present in the A/B/O system, “mating” is often portrayed as their scents melding or matching perfectly. Generally, a person will prefer the scent of their mate over any other, and be able to smell them better than any other person they encounter.
Scent glands
The main places from which the unique personal scents are produced. These are usually located at the base of the neck and sometimes also on the inside of wrists. These are also the source of the Alpha/Omega pheromones.
Claiming Bites
Part of a mating ritual, these are specifically very deep bites over one of the scent gland locations to meld their scents and mark their claim. They are permanent and lifelong, and will scar over to be visible to others. Alphas are most likely to be the one giving the bite, though many stories have mutual biting as a key feature. A mated polycule will sometimes have multiple bites spread out across the different scent glands.
Knotting
A key feature of an Alpha’s hyperfertility. The base of the penis swells just before orgasm, and locks them together with their partner to help ensure conception. Takes between 15-45 minutes to deflate. Only Alphas can knot someone, and Omegas typically have more flexible corresponding holes to accommodate the knot. Betas can almost always take it though, albeit less easily. Alphas can sometimes knot another Alpha if the author so desires.
Heats
Heats are based on the heats that wolves or some other mammal species experience, and refer to a period of 1-5 days where Omegas are insatiably horny, specifically for Alpha knots, and experience a feverish hypersensitivity that heightens the experience to the point of pain if their needs are not met. Often depicted as Omegas being out of their minds with need, or unable to consent to anything not agreed to ahead of time with their partner.
Omegas are either only fertile during heats or are hyperfertile during heats. The amount of time between heats is usually no shorter than three months, but can be up to a year or more. Sometimes heats are only triggered by the proximity of their mate. Other times, the intensity and satisfaction of fulfillment are just heightened with a mate as opposed to a random partner.
Ruts
The corresponding heightening of fertility, sensitivity, and stamina for Alphas, almost always triggered by the proximity of an Omega in heat, especially when they are mated. Alphas will be even more aggressively protective of their partner during this time, and will usually take on a highly focused caretaking role by making sure that all partners involved eat and drink during their rare refractory periods. Occasionally, Alphas will go into rut on a semi-regular basis similar to the Omega heat cycle. Sometimes Alphas can only knot a partner during a rut, but more often they can control the knot in any sexual encounter.
Nesting
A behavior associated with Omegas, particularly those in heat or approaching a heat. They will start to build an area of soft blankets, pillows, and other comforting items that serve as their home base during a heat since their skin is often too hot and/or sensitive during a heat to handle wearing clothes.
Mpreg
Short for male pregnancy, a key feature of M/M Omegaverse stories. How that works anatomically is a hotly debated topic, and often involves anal births through a cloaca-esque mechanism. Plenty of authors have handwaved a birth canal into the perineum to avoid that. Otherwise, mpreg typically progresses the same way all pregnancies do, unless you have a shifter story where the gestation times are adjusted for verisimilitude…because that’s clearly a primary concern here.
Why did it skyrocket in popularity?
This one is harder to answer, but my personal theory is that people tend to like things that mirror the strictures of the roles they’re forced into but with some extra bonuses. These roles both define the society of the world and allow for ways to explore different dynamics between partners. Theoretically, the protective instincts of the Alphas are a guarantee against intimate partner violence, which can also be played up as a story point.
Socially, Alphas are typically the ones in positions of power, and their Alpha status is used as a reason why they’re better than Betas or Omegas. A/B/O designation, more than gender, is used to determine how characters are viewed by society and the jobs and social roles they are considered for, opening the door for people to write people in roles that might seem out of the ordinary to the reader.
Men who are omegas are put automatically into caretaker roles, women who are alphas gravitate towards high-powered business or military positions, betas try to find the middle ground somewhere between those two. And similarly, they are looked down upon for trying to find jobs outside of the norm. A male alpha working at a daycare would be notable. A male omega scientist or politician is sneered at. It shines a light on how gender still plays such an outsized role in how we perceive how qualified a person is for a career.
Perhaps most importantly, Omegaverse presents a new way to have sex and often leans into so-called “primal” instincts, where the characters shake off the inhibitions of modern life to bow to their biology.
FAQs:
Do all Omegaverse stories feature all these elements?
Not at all. These are the broadest of broad generalizations. Basically every author will have their own take on how this system works, and lore for how it came into existence. Often, you will find a brief note about how their particular system works as a foreword in books, or in the Notes of fics. Other times, they will just explain it all through world building. A lot of times the elements authors use in their particular flavor of Omegaverse are tailored to the other tropes or kinks that exist in the story.
Is Omegaverse always shifters?
No, though many are. But it has expanded far beyond that and can be found in everything from fantasy/sci-fi to modern AU to post-apocalyptic settings.
Is Omegaverse always focused on the procreation goals of the system?
Not always. The concept of birth control exists in many Omegaverse stories. There are also medications known as heat blockers or heat suppressants that function as a way to minimize disruptions.
Is there Omegaverse Lite?
Yes. Omegaverse as a concept has been used by so many different authors across fandoms and genres that the variations are bordering on infinite. Omegaverse Lite is my term for stories (often contemporary AUs) that use the Alpha and Omega role to indicate biology and sexual preferences, but otherwise don’t use many of the more “extreme” things like heats, fated mates, claiming bites, and extreme social roles.
Wasn’t there a lawsuit about this in the news a while back?
Yes, and it was more than a little ridiculous. You can learn more about it in this excellent video by Lindsey Ellis.
How common are female Alphas?
Sadly, they’re not very common. Some stories feature them as background characters, with their existence mentioned, but the stories that feature female alphas are thin on the ground. There are more now, particularly with F/F pairings written by sapphic authors. Heterosexual female alpha stories are probably the least common of the whole subgenre.
Doesn’t this system create some serious consent issues?
It absolutely can, especially when writing heats where the Omega is very needy. How icky that feels to you depends deeply on both your personal preferences and on how the author handles it. Many authors will include a conversation before the heat takes over with boundaries being set ahead of time. Others feature Alphas who are just so protective that the idea of hurting their partner/mate is anathema to them. And some stories on the darker side will lean into the dubious consent or blow straight past the dubious and go right to noncon.
Sources/Further information:
- Alpha Status, Dominance, and Division of Labor in Wolf Packs by L. David Mech (PDF)
- Fated Mates podcast: “Omegaversity”
And, one of my favorite posts:
Do you have any recommendations?
Yes! A few of my favorities are already featured above, but here is a handy list.
Authors I’ve read with Omegaverse concepts I like:
Nora Phoenix – Alpha’s Sacrifice (Irresistible Omegas #1, my top favorite Omegaverse series bar none)
Susi Hawke:
The Pumpkin Spiced Omega (The Hollydale Omega #1, Omegaverse lite)
The Reluctant Alpha (West Coast Wolves #1, shifter romance)
Grabbed (Team A.L.P.H.A. #1, collab with Crista Crown)
L.L. Raand – The Midnight Hunt (Midnight Hunters #1, not strictly Omegaverse but it has a rare female alpha)
Crista Crown:
Pride and Pregnancy (mpreg Pride and Prejudice remix)
Freedom for His Omega (The Outcast Chronicles #1, collab with Harper B. Cole)
Vera Valentine – Planet Oster: Fertility Fusion
Lily X (sapphic Omegaverse author):
Let Me Be Yours (Seventh Star #1)
Ice Queen Alpha
Lexa Luthor (sapphic Omegaverse author) – The Iron Edge
Amy Bellows – A Pebble for Lewis (Alaskan Pebble Gifters #1)
Lorelei M. Hart – The Grumpy Grizzly’s Omega (Mail-Order Mates #1)
Anna Wineheart – Weight of Everything (Meadow Street Brothers #1)
Thank you JFHobbit!
What about you? Are you an Omegaverse fan? What are your favorite recs?
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