Chapter Text
Human sex designation and presentation are complex. That intricacy increases when one regards gender within the social context of the diversity and complexity of human culture. Humans have a primary and secondary sex.
Primary sex exists on a bimodal spectrum that is lamely termed as the male and female spectrum. Females, in the most basic definition, are the bearers of offspring with a uterus, ovaries, and vulva, and secondary sex characteristics of conspicuous mammary glands. While males, in the most basic definition, are the inseminators with a penis and testes and secondary sex characteristics of typically underdeveloped, inconspicuous mammary glands. There, of course, exist variations beyond these basic definitions.
Secondary sex exists on a trimodal spectrum that is lamely termed as the Alpha, Beta, and Omega spectrum. All Omegas, Betas, and Alphas have a primary sex. Betas do not have mating glands and therefore do not produce the typical Omega or Alpha pheromone scents.
Betas are the representation of the primary sex designation without the added complications of a secondary sex designation. Male Betas do not have knots on their penises, nor do they experience ruts, and female Betas do not experience an increase in fertility during estrus; they are both as fertile outside of and during a female Beta’s estrus.
Omegas with a primary female sex typically do not experience changes in their phenotypic or hormonal presentation even after the start of puberty. Omegas with a primary male sex can be designated at birth because their penis will be small but present with female reproductive genitals as well. In addition, at the start of puberty, Omega males tend to experience a variety of conflicting hormonal experiences. They will experience faux estrus (or heat) every three months (just as Omega females do) until sexual maturity at adulthood. Typically, primary male sex hormones prevent the conspicuous growth of mammary glands. Estrus in Omegas increases their fertility, and its occurrence is known to others via pheromonal release. Omegas have scent glands in their necks, wrists, pubis, and ankles that release a variety of pheromones and hormones, which respond to external and internal stimuli. There, of course, exist variations beyond these basic definitions.
Alphas with a primary male sex typically do not experience changes in their phenotypic or hormonal presentation even after the start of puberty. Alphas with a primary female sex can be designated at birth as Alpha because they will have a small penis present with a vulva, and testes, but no uterus or ovaries. In addition, at the start of puberty, female Alphas tend to experience a variety of conflicting hormonal experiences. They will experience faux ruts every six months until sexual maturity at adulthood, which will increase the size of their penis and knot (just as Alpha males do), all the while, primary female sex hormones will cause the conspicuous growth of mammary glands. Ruts in Alphas increase their fertility, and its occurrence is known to others via pheromonal release. Alphas have scent glands in their necks, wrists, pubis, and ankles that release a variety of pheromones and hormones, which respond to external and internal stimuli. There, of course, exist variations beyond these basic definitions.
The scent gland in the neck of Alphas and Omegas is also known as the mating gland. A bite from an Omega to an Alpha (and it must be reciprocated) during an Omega’s heat or an Alpha’s rut will bind the two together. This prevents any other Alphas or Omegas from responding to their pheromonal cues if they go into heat or rut. Betas are unable to do this because they lack a particular set of enzymes in their saliva, nor do they have the scent/mating glands for those enzymes to bind to. These mating bites need to be reestablished consistently, though the time to reinitiate is wholly dependent on the couple, and that timing is not fully understood.
Because of the complexities of rut, heat, and mating bites, Betas typically do best pairing up with other Betas, while Alphas and Omegas typically are best paired up with their opposite secondary sex. This pair is called a duo. Of course, humans do not necessarily follow these dynamic structures and have developed methods of managing with or without a duo partner.
Gender is as complex as the culture people exist within. Pronouns and gender expression are dependent on linguistic and cultural context, which can only be known through experience, inference, or direct communication. As such, it will not be discussed here.