omegaverse

The world is governed by a constitutional monarchy. Formally, all citizens are equal, but historically, power has belonged to old families, many of which are predominantly alpha males.
The state officially abandons the biological caste system, but continues to use its legacy.
For example, an employer has no right to deny an omega a position because of her gender identity. However, they can cite "schedule instability" if the candidate periodically takes medical leave. Technically, the law is not violated—proving discrimination is difficult.
In aristocratic houses, secondary sex was long used to calculate politically advantageous marriages.
Families sought alliances that would secure heirs, strengthen their influence, and bolster their reputation. Some still consider resonance a sign of a particularly successful union.
However, in modern society:
marriage is concluded only by voluntary consent;
inheritance is transmitted according to established rules, and not automatically according to secondary gender;
children receive civil rights regardless of the type of parents;
parental rights do not depend on who carried the child;
Marital status does not determine the right to a career.
In older and more influential families, these norms are not always observed. Pressure can take more subtle forms: withdrawal of financial support, threat of exclusion from the family business, or reputational blackmail.

People are born with a primary sex, and during adolescence, they develop a secondary biological system: alpha, beta, or omega. This system influences hormones, olfactory function, reproductive capabilities, and some instinctive responses.
However, the secondary sex is not a caste by nature. Society has made it one.
In the capital, alphas occupy a disproportionate number of high-ranking positions, omegas face intrusive supervision and restrictions, and betas often find themselves mediating between the two groups. There are also omegas who are military leaders, alphas who are quiet healers, betas who are rulers, and representatives of each type who defy the expectations of others.

The alpha can be either a woman or a man.
An omega can be either a woman or a man
Both a woman and a man can be white

Modern law is built around the principle that secondary gender does not negate personal rights.

1. Right to medical confidentiality. Employers, universities, and unrelated relatives have no right to demand disclosure of medical information about a cycle or treatment without legal grounds.
2. The right to control odor. A person may use approved odor masking agents as long as they do not pose a health risk to others.
3. Prohibition of forced marking. It is prohibited to forcibly leave a permanent mark on a person or intentionally influence their scent to control their behavior.
4. Prohibition of discrimination. Denial of employment, education, housing, or medical care solely because of one's primary gender may be appealed.
5. The right to reproductive choice. Neither family, nor partner, nor the state may force a person to become pregnant, prevent pregnancy, or enter into marriage.
6. Protection during hormonal crisis. A person experiencing severe symptoms has the right to medical assistance. The mere fact of estrus or heat is not considered grounds for incapacitation.
   There is a historical exception known as public safety protocol.
   It emerged after a series of incidents involving illegal synthetic pheromones. Under the protocol, a court can temporarily restrict a person's access to certain public spaces if a specific danger is proven.
   The problem is that the protocol was previously applied disproportionately to omegas and alphas with unstable phenotypes. As a result, it became a tool of pressure.
   Today, the law has been reformed, but old court decisions still influence people's lives. This provides the basis for stories about courtroom dramas, struggles for rights, and conflicts between public safety and personal freedom.

Schools and universities teach the basics of secondary biology, the rules for safe interaction with pheromones, and first aid for hormonal complications.
Employers are required to provide reasonable accommodations for employees' medical needs. For example, an employee can take a scheduled break, visit a doctor, or temporarily work remotely.
But social prejudices persist:
alpha may be automatically considered a suitable leader;
Omega may be considered a less reliable candidate, even if his qualifications are higher;
Beta may be underestimated, considered "ordinary" and lacking special abilities.
This isn't a universal experience: in some professions, omegas and betas are better represented than alphas, and some regions have anti-discrimination programs.

but there are also boarding houses where they divide by secondary gender.
alphas separately, omegas separately

Alphas often have more connections and opportunities, but don't always have an innate right to power. It all depends on the family they were born into.
Omegas - Face limitations, but also work, manage, serve, and hold high positions.
Betas - Present in all strata of society, sometimes quietly supporting existing inequalities

There are no questions in society about homosexual relationships and a person's orientation.

In some circles, the mark is perceived as a sign of deep intimacy. In others, it's a purely personal decision, unasked about. In aristocratic families, it can be considered confirmation of the union, although it has no legal force in itself.
People without a mark can have happy marriages and strong families. The absence of a mark does not prove a lack of love, and its presence does not guarantee a healthy relationship.
A person who trusts someone with access to the back of their head demonstrates a special degree of intimacy.
A bite can leave a scar on anyone, but a permanent mark is formed only when the recipient's body triggers a specific reinforcement response. It doesn't occur automatically and doesn't guarantee mutual love.
This allows the biological significance of the mark to be preserved without turning it into a magical contract.
After the bite, both people gradually become more familiar with each other's scent. Each person's body restructures their olfactory response.
Such a mark becomes a particularly significant symbol of union, but requires a separate explanation if the bite is inflicted by only one partner.
A person unmistakably recognizes the individual scent of his partner among familiar smells, although he cannot determine its exact location.
A partner's scent can help calm stress, but it doesn't act as a guaranteed cure.
During illness, severe stress, or hormonal changes, your usual scent may feel different.
The mark does not directly convey thoughts, pain or emotions.
The mark does not guarantee love, fidelity or sexual compatibility.
The connection can remain after a breakup, even if the relationship has ended.

A bite can leave a scar on anyone, but a permanent mark is formed only when the recipient's body triggers a specific reinforcement response. It doesn't occur automatically and doesn't guarantee mutual love.
This allows the biological significance of the mark to be preserved without turning it into a magical contract.
After the bite, both people gradually become more familiar with each other's scent. Each person's body restructures their olfactory response.
Such a mark becomes a particularly significant symbol of union, but requires a separate explanation if the bite is inflicted by only one partner.
Biting the same person again does not create a new mark or strengthen the bond indefinitely.
A bite from another person does not automatically replace an existing mark.
Removing a scar does not cancel the physiological connection, since it is fixed not only in the skin.
Medical weakening of the connection is theoretically possible, but is currently considered a complex procedure with unpredictable results.
Forced marking is considered a serious crime. It does not make the victim anyone's property or create any legal rights to a relationship with them.

Cyclic phenotype. Regular, well-defined estrus cycles.
Mild phenotype. Mild symptoms and relatively minor hormonal fluctuations.
Sensory phenotype. A highly sensitive sense of smell, highly sensitive to odors and overload.
Unstable phenotype. Irregular cycles, often requiring medical supervision.
The latter option is not a separate diagnosis: irregularity may be a temporary reaction to stress or a symptom of a disease.
Omegas can occupy any social position, have different temperaments and decide for themselves whether they want to start a family.

Estrus is a natural phase of the hormonal cycle, not a disease or an obligatory state of helplessness.
the cycle repeats on average once every 28–40 days;
the active phase usually lasts 2–4 days;
a slight increase in body temperature, sensitivity to odors, fatigue, irritability and the need for rest are possible;
the intensity of symptoms varies from person to person;
Stress, lack of sleep and certain illnesses can shift the cycle.
the intensity of symptoms varies from person to person;
Stress, lack of sleep and certain illnesses can shift the cycle.
At the beginning of the cycle, omegas may feel anxious and more reactive to their surroundings. During the active phase, the need for a safe space, rest, and emotional comfort increases. This is sometimes followed by a period of weakness.
During estrus, sexual desire increases, but the omega doesn't always need the alpha or loses the ability to make decisions. Some people tolerate it well, simply experiencing increased lubrication.

About one in every thousand people exhibits a rare feature of the nervous system called resonance.
Resonance occurs when two people's olfactory and emotional responses are unusually well-aligned. Their individual scents are perceived as particularly familiar, they sometimes find it easier to calm down when they're around each other, and scents can evoke vivid memories.
But resonance has clear limitations:
It does not allow mind reading.
He does not create love out of nothing.
It does not guarantee sexual compatibility or the ability to have children.
It doesn't mean that people should be together.
It can occur between representatives of any secondary sex, although certain combinations are more common.
Popularly, resonance is called "soul recognition." Scientifically, it is explained by a rare combination of olfactory receptors, hormonal regulation, and mechanisms of emotional memory.

Alphas differ not only in physiology, but also in the diversity of their own characteristics.
Stable phenotype. Mild hormonal fluctuations, good stress tolerance.
Sensitive phenotype. High sensitivity to foreign odors, quick recognition of changes in emotional state.
Pulsed phenotype. Pronounced hormonal peaks, more noticeable changes in scent during the rut.
A quiet phenotype. Weak personal scent, low intensity pheromonal signals. Often experiences people underestimating their secondary gender.
No single phenotype determines leadership qualities. There are alphas with high sensitivity and developed empathy, as well as alphas who have poor understanding of even their own emotions.

Rut is a period of temporary increase in hormonal activity in alphas.
It occurs irregularly, usually at intervals of several months, but the specific frequency depends on the organism.
Possible signs:
increased irritability;
a feeling of internal tension;
sleep disturbance;
increased secretion of pheromones;
decreased resistance to stress;
increased sensitivity to the smells of other people.
Contrary to popular social stereotype, rutting doesn't automatically make an alpha aggressive or jealous. One person may become withdrawn and need silence, another may become restless, and a third may barely notice the change.
In society, there is a concept of responsible driving: a person plans their vacation in advance, uses prescribed medications when necessary, and avoids situations in which their condition could cause inconvenience to others.
libido may increase significantly.

Betas are the most numerous group, but they are often mistakenly perceived as biologically neutral people.
In fact, bets have their own characteristics:
weaker response to specific pheromones;
absence of the classic rut and Omega heat;
own individual fragrances;
the ability to recognize some of the emotional changes through common non-verbal signals;
the ability to form deep attachments and experience jealousy, longing and intense love.
Within the group, there are betas with heightened olfactory sensitivity, as well as people who are almost incapable of distinguishing secondary odors.
Betas are not necessarily sterile. Their reproductive capabilities depend on their primary sex, anatomy, and individual health. They can enter into relationships with any secondary type.

There are only three main secondary sexes. However, within each type, there are individual variations, which doctors call phenotypes.
Phenotype is not a fourth sex. It is a combination of olfactory characteristics, hormonal activity, and bodily responses.

First: smell is not the same as thought. A person can detect another's anxiety, fear, or excitement, but cannot read their mind, know their name, desires, or intentions.
Second: instinct is not the same as a command. A strong physiological reaction can hinder self-control, but it does not turn a person into a weak-willed creature. The degree of influence varies from person to person.
Third: compatibility is not destiny. Even if two people share an exceptionally rare combination of biological traits, they are not obligated to love each other, enter into a relationship, or start a family.
These principles are important for the internal logic of the world: if pheromones allowed people to be completely controlled, society would be structured completely differently.
smells are individual
Conventionally, three levels of perception are distinguished.
Background - Familiar aroma, approximate emotional state
Increased - Stress, hormonal changes, unusually strong excitation of the nervous system
Overload - Headache, nausea, irritability, difficulty concentrating
Smell overload occurs when the concentration of odors is too strong or when a person is highly sensitive. This can occur in a crowd, in a poorly ventilated room, or near someone whose hormonal levels have changed dramatically.
However, no secondary sex provides absolute immunity. Alphas can experience sensory overload from other alphas, omegas from omegas, and betas can also be bothered by strong odors, although they are usually less responsive to pheromonal cues.

All humans have specialized glands that secrete a complex mixture of volatile substances. In everyday life, this is called a personal scent; in medicine, it's called an olfactory profile.
The main areas of secretion are the neck, collarbone area, and wrists. Their activity depends on the secondary sex, hormonal status, and individual characteristics.
Every person has three components of scent:
A base scent is a relatively consistent, individual characteristic. For example, cedar, black tea, rain on stone, or vanilla.
Emotional tone - changes with anxiety, joy, anger, shame or extreme fatigue.
Hormonal trace - becomes more noticeable during certain periods of the cycle, during illness or with changes in hormonal levels.
An important rule: a strong scent doesn't necessarily mean a strong personality. A quiet omega can have a very intense scent, while an influential alpha can have a barely noticeable one. It all depends on the individual.

The medical system is sufficiently developed that most characteristics of secondary gender do not interfere with a person's normal life. However, technology is not perfect, and access to treatment depends on income and location.
Suppressants are a group of drugs that reduce the intensity of hormonal fluctuations and pheromonal signals.
Cyclic Helps regulate heat symptoms Requires monitoring with long-term use
Emergency Reduces the intensity of a sudden hormonal crisis Does not guarantee immediate relief
Olfactory Reduces the production or perception of odors May cause dry mucous membranes and headaches
Stabilizing. Used for severe hormonal fluctuations. Selected individually.
Suppressants are not a universal solution. They can cause side effects and are contraindicated for some people.
There is also a problem with illegal drugs in society: cheap analogues are sold without quality control and can disrupt the cycle or provoke severe reactions.
In large cities there are specialized centers where you can:
be examined before the manifestation of secondary sex;
select means of symptom control;
get help with menstrual irregularities;
undergo a consultation on reproductive health;
recover from a hormonal crisis;
receive psychological support after traumatic events.
Help is available not only to omegas. Alphas may seek help due to a difficult estrus period, and betas due to individual hormonal imbalances.

People have an innate ability to form strong olfactory associations with loved ones. A partner's scent can be associated with safety, home, and a familiar emotional state.
It works gradually. Repeated experiences of care strengthen the association; fear and violence, on the contrary, can make a familiar smell a source of anxiety.
Therefore, even strong biological compatibility does not guarantee a happy bond. The body can recognize a person, but only experience determines whether this recognition will be a comfort or a painful reminder.

Reproductive capabilities are determined not only by the secondary sex, but also by the primary sex, anatomy and health of the person.
In this world, some omegas are capable of carrying a child regardless of whether they are male or female. This is due to a distinct reproductive anatomy that exists within the fictional biology.
However, not every Omega is fertile, not every pregnancy occurs easily, and the ability to bear a child is not a mandatory trait of every representative of the type.
Alphas also lack absolute fertility. Infertility, hereditary diseases, and pregnancy complications can occur in all secondary sexes.
The state recognizes as a parent the person who has legally accepted parental responsibilities. Biological pregnancy alone does not determine all rights to the child.
An omega woman or an omega man can carry and give birth to a child
Alphas, either a woman or a man, can fertilize.

Before the manifestation of the secondary sex, the child has its own basic scent, but its olfactory system is still immature.
During the first years of life, a child's scent gradually acquires the characteristic shades of the smells of his parents or people who constantly care for him.
It is a mixture of the parents' scents.
From birth to 9 years. A child's scent is mild, variable, and highly dependent on the environment. Familiar scents from their parents help calm them down.
From 10 years old. A more stable children's scent develops. It may retain hints of the parents' scents, although each child retains its own individual component.
Before emergence. The baby's scent gradually changes. The parents' scents become fainter, while the baby's own unique scent becomes more distinct.
secondary sex appears between the ages of 14 and 17