Omegaverse: Literature’s True Alpha

Close your eyes for a moment and imagine a world of structures that already defined our basic natures—social scripts that allow you to embrace physical attributes. Lands where excessive secreting fluids, naturally perfuming pheromones, and growling-at-any-inconvenience were normal things in society. A place where the conceptualization of sexual scripts, boundaries, and gender spectrums are far more flexible than those of this society. This world we speak of, is omegaverse!

Omegaverse is a subgenre of erotic romance that grew in the most vibrant corners of the internet biome—fanfiction fandoms. The origins of the concept are argued to have started as early as Star Trek fans latching onto the concepts of soulmates in the legendary episode, “Amok Time,” but the general consensus is the genre we know today spurred during the 2010s climate of fanfiction (Dreamscape Publishing, 2024). For those new to the crew, before the new wave of story revamps we see today—i.e. Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James——fanfiction was a Thunderdome of people coming together to revel in the euphoria of their beloved characters getting the storylines the fans deem deserved. Early fandom spaces cite the first of omegaverse emerging as “a fanfiction genre in its own right…[gaining] popularity across a number of large fandoms, including Supernatural, Teen Wolf, and Sherlock” (Popova, 2021, p. 36). The recreation of classic stories afford readers their opportunity to explore the “What If’s” and flex on the OG authors when the story hits better. Fans hyped on the adrenaline rush of watching their favorite characters on screen, took to their keyboards to immortalize the storylines of a lifetime in a new fashion—one that included slick soaked alternate universes.

Isn’t it crazy how a couple of online servers can spark a literary phenomenon? I bet the first person who wrote that fanfiction could’ve never bet on it’d spur millions to ride the wave of alpha knots and slick. 

So now you’re probably wondering, wondering “The history lesson is nice, but what the hell even is Omegaverse?”

Well, worry no longer!

Let’s break down the basis of Omegaverse:

Omegaverse follows a fictional biological system that focuses on three primary genders: Alpha, Beta, and Omega. This gender spectrum works in congruence with the real gender spectrum, and serves as a general framework for both biological and sociological roles. 

Alpha characters are creatures that have the mechanisms for canine attributes such as knotting and rutting cycles. They are assigned the common assigned attributes such as the leader, protector, or head of the pack. Alpha’s additionally have the ability to establish soulmate relationships through the process of marking, which is biting a hunk into your partner’s neck. Romantic right? 

For Betas, these characters fall on the “normal” side of Omegaverse. Said characters that mirror the world in which we live with no notable features or traits that alter their biological structure. Said characters usually mirror the same traits of a human, however it’s dependent on the author’s creative process. 

Omegas are characters with attributes such as natural production of bodily lubrication, estrus heats, and the occasional capability of pregnancy no matter the character’s gender. They too have the capability of establishing soulmate relationships with their partners. 

Many authors are flexible with these fictional genders and tend to play around with exact capabilities or behavioral traits, but overall follows this system. Said gender system affords authors exploration of sexual scripts and gender dynamics through subverting gender binaries set within our societies. Each gender falls under pseudo-biological models that form not just the physical makeup of the characters, but plays a role in their social development. While the usage of gender attributes differ widely across characters, storylines, and authors intent, omegaverse follows the same literary script of werewolves. Which—fun fact, follows the basis of the behavioral canine studies conducted by researcher Rudolph Schenkel, who coined the theory of “alpha wolves” and “pack hierarchy.” While Schenkel’s studies were later debunked, his theories live on in the realms of omegaverse and werewolf smut. 

For all its fame—even its flack for the unconventional source of material—the readers consume Omegaverse with the intention to read something  that not only stimulates their sexual prowess but their need to confront the system—to feel feelings as they stick it to the man! So punk rock, dude. 

So let’s explore a few ways in which authors utilize omegaverse to explore the themes of gender, sexuality, society, and more! 

The Reflection in the Slick    

             For literature the general consensus is that stories reflect on human experience, intrinsic impact, and affords us the opportunity to conceptualize a better future outside of our hardships. Yet, there’s a glaring misconception that stories with erotic stories cannot contain such intellectual reflections—omegaverse challenges this notion. Gender roles within omegaverse shifts the narrative from standards stepped in misogynoir and serves to challenge socio-sexual scripts. Authors utilize fantastical frameworks to reconstruct sexual scripts and explore a world where we stand on equal footing. 

            A study done on the evolution of gender power in omegaverse fanfiction describes the concept “of secondary genders such as Alpha, Beta, and Omega allows characters of the primary gender, both female and male, to become leaders like Alphas, diminishing the opposition between the primary genders…to some extent” (Yang & Pianzola 2024, p.907). When readers are given the chance to suspend their opinions and ideals of our reality—to an extent—we then are left with the question of whether these said beliefs are truly rooted in absolutes or are merely an imposed construct. Stories demonstrate “subversion of traditional hierarchies and promotions of gender equality…” where authors from various fandoms utilize omegaverse to inverting social hierarchies as it pertains to gender scripts (Yang & Pianzola, 2024, p. 912).  Questioning the existence of gender roles and scripts is the first of many steps in exploring the concept of equality. The notable subversion of gender and the aspects of gender in omegaverse presents us with the foundation to identify inequalities and encourages imagining a society in which we can dispose of  said binaries. 

            In the novel, Omega on Fire by Dreia Wells, we see the challenging of said gender disparities and the resilience of the oppressed. The novel follows young Omega activist Charlotte Matthews who utilizes her career to advocate for the equal opportunities for her fellow omega, and spearheads the movement to bring down Omega trafficking.  Just as her investigations bring her closer to uncovering the real truth, she’s kidnapped and set to be sold. The work of an underground vigilante pack rescues her, and along the way realizes their fated mates.

At the core of this novel, we see glaring parallels of our current society in which corruption runs rampant within our social systems, and said corruption runs from a basis of discriminatory ideology. Without giving spoilers, Charlotte’s character is a beacon of hope amidst the darkness in the story. Despite the evils she endured and witnessed, she continues to fight for the rights of her people and maintains her strong, bold nature. Particularly in recent days with administrative strides to deconstruct gender equality, racial equity, and made community unsafe for queer peoples and women—the world of Omegaverse serves as a way to actualize a reality in which the oppressed have reached freedom. 

This is one of many ways omegaverse can reflect on the human experience! Omegaverse also spurs conversation on how socio-political disparities within our society affects our lives personally.

One way in which omegaverse can take on such a radical role in social commentary is when authors create stories set in dark, dystopian societies. Think of speculative fantasy meets dystopian and they had a hot rendezvous at a bar, resulting in a one-night-stand baby. That said, the baby grew up, got a sociology degree with a minor in English and does sex seminars as a part-time hobby. …hang in there, I promise I’ll break down what I’m talking about. 

Omegaverse: The Alpha and Omega vs. Empire

Fantasy literature works as a safe zone where we can simulate real world experiences, so we can then develop resolutions. When we look at the previous reference about the one-night-stand baby, think of how the genres stimulate the imagination to confront unjust systems through central characters and their literary evolution. The Omegaverse genre utilizes this task by creating fantasy reality to current sociological phenomena to then establish strong commentary. 

Let’s look at the example, Dark City Omega by Elizabeth Stephens. The Dark Fantasy omegaverse implores said sociological lens to confront inequities and unjust societal hierarchies. The story follows a young Omega woman, Echo, who flees from various cities due to her magical powers. The worldly creatures seek to exploit her powers and, in an attempt to escape, she ends up running into the said man she’s trying to hide from. 

Based in a world in which society is divided into various factions, the world rules from leaders that set strict hierarchy and power systems. Within the hierarchies, Stephens presents her readers with introspective commentary to address social anxieties, oppression, and much more. Stephens balances the literary conflicts man vs. society and man vs. self  to reflect the experience of stepping from the constructs of a divided empire and illustrates characters that combat the manusha. 

Around these parts, we avoid any spoilers but for the sake of this article I do say—this book explores the plight of survival. The plight of bearing witness to the world’s catastrophic events and forces you to confront the truth of it all. Additionally it makes you wonder, “What power do I possess to change it all?”

Who knew smut could be so revolutionary? Well, we did of course, but you never can predict how erotic literature will tip the scale! Get it? Because we’re talking about smut and tips…I’ll proceed with the topic at hand. 

In the spirit of social commentary, Omegaverse doesn’t stop here! From the social commentary and gender issues, we also see the platform extended for authors to share queer stories without the extra bullshit. 

Queerness within the Omegaverse Space

             As touched on previously, it feels like a genre based on erotica roots and only for wild sex scenes, but if we haven’t established anything, we can register that omegaverse explores positive representation…all while being hot and steamy!

Within the genre, omegaverse affords readers and authors to explore worlds where heteronormativity isn’t shoved down our throats. In the article, “I am the Alpha and the Omega: Trans-fem Narratives in Omegaverse Femslash” by Lexi Martin, they explore the concept of how omegaverse empowers trans bodies. By creating imagery that normalizes the imagery of trans and intersex individuals, they create positive relationships with sexual-romantic scripts. Martin explores how omegaverse creates a gender system that subverts the “familiar gender binary of male and female,” where “six genders emerge from this system each with different social roles and connotations” (Martin, 2022, p. 67). Such reconstruction of the binaries sets the foundation for trans identities to be normalized in literature, rather than fetishization or dehumanization. Omegaverse allows for non-cisgender bodies to be worthy in the eyes of their partner as they too are a part of our community, and deserving of love. 

Moreover, they discuss how the realm “give[s] rise to characters with recognizable physiological and preferences that mirror real-world queer and trans identities,” namely in characters like female alphas as “women within omegaverse femslash, regardless of their genitalia. They may have penises, but their womanhood is never a question” (Martin, 2022, p. 69). Omegaverse shifts narratives to actualize worlds where queer identities achieve equality within society. Rather than the depictions of invisibility or hyper-sexualization, queer bodies are seen with agency within the literature and see them exercise their personhood. Some examples of this are in the novels Alpha Woman by Raquel Raeylnn, Let Me Be Yours by Lily X, and How the Cowboy Caught the Bunny by Hadiya Hayes. 

This is just one of many examples of queer representation in omegaverse. The Drake House Duet by Sienna Holt has demisexual representation and nonbinary characters featured within the main characters. Game Over by L.E. Eldridge and Bex Deveau also contain a nonbinary character in the storyline. Achillean dynamics appear in the novel Bro and the Beast by LC Davis. There's a straight presenting relationship with a woman who has a both genital features in the manga, Alpha Woman x Omega Wolfboy by Natusha Kasazuki. We see Sapphic characters in the novel Heat and Run by Adrianna Herrera, and so much more! This is the tip of the iceberg when it comes to representation in omegaverse.

The existence of queer people and trans bodies have been a reality since the beginning of time, yet this world has sought to erase its beauty. Omegaverse is one of many outlets for our queer families to see proper representation that allows for progress rather than suppression.  

I think we can all agree that omegaverse is quite the genre to explore! This world houses characters that can be at the top of their food chain, or be pioneering martyrs grappling with the oppressive regimes that define their roles in life by an unequal socio-political pedagogy. Bred from the trenches of the fanfiction community, it has bloomed over into the publishing world as a controversial yet popular genre. Today, we are talking about the amazing world of omegaverse, and the features of omegaverse that attracts the eye of readers around the world. The highs of Omegaverse drew millions to the genre, and hopefully this will spur more to dip their metaphorical toes into slicked up waters, so they too can spread the good word of stone-cold ruts and omega sluts. 

Recommendations

References:

Dreamscape Publishing. (2024, May 21). A newbie’s guide to the Omegaverse – Dreamscape Publishing. Retrieved July 8, 2025, from https://www.dreamscapepublishing.com/blog/a-newbies-guide-to-the-omegaverse/#:~:text=It%20is%20thought%20to%20have,entertainment%20since%20well%20before%20then. 

Martin, L. (2022). I am the Alpha and the Omega: Trans-fem Narratives in Omegaverse Femslash. Hardwire: The Undergraduate Journal of Sexual Diversity Studies, 5, 66–71.

Popova, M. (2021). “Dogfuck Rapeworld” Sexual Scripts and Consent in the Omegaverse. In Dubcon: Fanfiction, Power, and Sexual Consent (1st ed., pp. 35–62). The MIT Press.

Yang, X., & Pianzola, F. (2024). Exploring the Evolution of Gender Power Difference through the Omegaverse Trope on AO3 Fanfiction. In W. Haverals, M. Koolen, & L. Thompson (Eds.), Proceedings of the Computational Humanities Research Conference 2024 (pp. 906-916). (CEUR Workshop Proceedings; Vol. 3834). CEUR Workshop Proceedings (CEUR-WS.org).