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Specific terminology and a/b/o biology; certain terms are explored/mentioned in the fic/s when they become relevant, others are not—all will be listed here either way.
Claiming Marks; Different from Mating Bites/Marks. They are situationed on the left or right sides of the nape, closer to the shoulders. These are surface bites and are not permanent. They are signs of a courtship and the intend of mating/marking in the near future. They need to be renewed roughly once a month. Alphas and Beta both can place claiming Marks. (For Betas, they are seen as the closest equivalent to a mating bite/mark.) Only Omegas can recieve them.
Mating Bites/Marking; These are situated on the back of the nape and are permanent. They break the skin and drawn blood and scar over. Only Alphas can lay mating bites/Marks. Only Omegas can recieve them.
Overmarking; Overmarking is the process of biting over an existing mating bite/Mark with the intent to break and replace the bond. This is an outlawed and almost always a fatal process for the involved Omega. Those recorded to survive are documented to have become effectively brain dead after the fact due to the stress and strain on their system.
Conditioning; similar to overmarking, this is an outlawed and incredibly dangerous procress. It entails isolating an Omega during their heats (primarily beginning from their first heat) and overwhelming them with an Alpha's (who later intends to mark the Omega) pheromones. This results in the omega becoming reliant on the Alpha, specifically during their heat, for hormonal and pheromonal regulation, which is necessary for their survival. It also conditions the Omegas body to become more responsive to said Alpha and acts almost as a premature, non-physical mating bite. Furthermore, if the affected Omega is separated from the Alpha for too long, they often become incredibly sick and/or perish. It is possible for an Omega to do the same to an Alpha during their rut, but historically it occurred between Alphas to Omegas. It has been observed that Omega's who have been victims of Conditioning are less affected by the process if they are pregnant, as the pregnancy forces their body to maintain consistent level of pheromonal and hormonal regulation for the developing fetus. However, this is ONLY during pregnancy.
Unmarked/unmated Collars; These collars are made of thick leather or a similar material and are fastened snugly around the Omegas neck via a seamless metal clasp. It acts as a precautionary protective measure, and it also a societal expectation/fashion. Omegas typically begin wearing them after their Presentation heat (typically 16-18 years of age). They are custom made to fit the specific Omega and often need to be replaced as the Omega grows.
Claimed Collars; These collars are only worn by Claimed Omegas and are gifted to them by their Alpha/Beta partners. They are made out of a thick Leather or similar material, and are often decorated with embellished or indented patterns. They are custom made and are made to fit the specific omega, and they are fastened with a metal lock that has a visible key hole (The Alpha/Beta is responsible for holding onto the key. To lose it is seen as an insult.). These do not typically need to be resized as fully grown/mature Omegas should be the only ones wearing them. (These are equivalent to a promise/engagement ring).
Marked Collars: These do not exist. Marked Omegas do not wear collars. To cover the Mating Bite/Mark is seen as a rejection of the bond.
Omegas; 1/5 of the population. They typically have a slim build and are typically shorter then Alphas and Betas, featuring wider hips and longer legs. Omegas of both genders develop breasts during puberty—male omegas typically have a smaller cup size on average compared to female omegas, usually ranging from A-B until pregnancy, whereupon their cup size will increase (as will Female Omegs) to accommodate for lactation upon birth. Their scents are often "softer" and less "domineering". They have the ability to hiss and purr. They have the smallest fangs out of the dynamics but they are the sharpest. Can be impregnated by Alpha females and males and Beta males, but cannot impregnate anyone regardless of primary sex. Cannot be identified at birth.
Alphas; 2/5 of the population. They typically have a larger and broader build and are often taller then Betas and Omegas—broad shoulders, thicker necks and wider rib cages are common features. Neither female nor male Alphas have the ability to develop breasts during puberty or at all. Their scents are often "sharper" and more "dominant/aggressive". They have the ability to growl and rumble. They have the largest fangs out of the dynamics and have the greatest bite force. Additionally, they have two sets of fangs, both located on the upper jaw. The innermost fangs are the largest, whole the outtermost fangs are smaller. Can impregnate Beta Females and Omega females and Males, but cannot be impregnated regardless of primary sex. Cannot be identified at birth.
Betas; 2/5 of the population. They typically have an "average" build and height—however, longer arms and feet are common features. Female Betas are able to develop breasts during puberty. Their scents are often "neutral", and are capable of diluting Omega and Alpha scents in high stress situations to diffuse the tension. They have the ability to chuff, but cannot pur or growl. They have two sets of fangs—one on the upper jaw and one of the lower jaw—but they are relatively blunt. Female Betas can be impregnated by Beta Males and Alpha females and males, but cannot impregnate any gender. Male Betas can impregnate Female Betas and Female and Male Omegas, but cannot be impregnated by any gender. Betas can be identified at birth.
Fang removal/DeFanging; Alphas smaller, second set of fangs are the ones that distribute the "vemon" that is necessary to laying a Marking bite as opposed to a Claiming bite. Upon laying a Marking bite, Alphas are expected to have those smaller fangs removed to symbolise their devotion to their Omega, as it removes their ability to lay additional Marks upon other Omegas—Alphas who refuse to do such are seen as poor partners and are publically ridiculed. It is common to see Omegas wearing jewellery made out of the removed fangs. Certain traditional extremist groups denounce the defanging practice.
Omegas vs Alphas; Both share the same growth hormones, and it is not clear which a child will present as until their presentation heat/rut. Female Alphas are intersex, as are Male Omegas. Females Alphas have a vaginal canal but no uterus or ovaries—during their presentation rut, their testes will drop and their penis will develop. Male Omegas have a penis, but no testes—during their presentation heat, their ovaries will begin maturing and the uterus, vagina and vaginal canal will begin form. Both are stressfull and physically taxing processes that take several months/years. It is advised the Omega or Alpha experience monthly check ups to track the process. (Male Alphas testes begin to drop during presentation ruts. Female Omegas uterus and ovaries begin to form during a presentation heat. While these processes are also very taxing, there is significantly less risk associated when compared to Female Alpha and Male Omega presentations. Tri-monthly Check ups are still recommended.)
Parental titles: Omegas and Beta women are called Mum (or any variation, E.g, Mother, Mama, etc) by their children. Alphas and Beta men are called Dad (or any variation, E.g, Father, Papa, etc) by their children.