🌙 lore: heat/rut cycles & pregnancy
Heats / ruts, or cycles, happen every 3-4 (or 2-3?) months, and last anywhere from 3-5 days. Suppressants (given in pill and patch form) can help ease the symptoms, or stop them completely—though the latter can be dangerous if overused. It’s recommended to have a natural heat / rut every 2 years.
Beta do not experience a cycle. (Or, perhaps, they experience a much more mild form—I haven’t decided.)
Cycles are not inherently sexual. Most cycles are pack-oriented—meant to strengthen pack bonds, not entice sex. However, they can turn sexual, if sex is instigated.
The days leading up to a cycle are referred to as pre-rut or pre-heat. Often the first sign of a pre-cycle is appetite, which can seem to double overnight as the alpha or omega’s body stores necessary calories. They may experience mood swings. Some may also find themselves clinging to someone—this is especially common in younger a’s & o’s; latching on to an older packmate (of any dynamic) to soothe themselves. They’re especially sensitive to rejection from this person. They spend a lot of time prepping their nests, making sure they’re comfortable, and filled with things that make them (and their pack) feel safe. Both stockpile lots of water, and easy to eat foods. Other pack members (or mates, during a fertile cycle) will supply fresher food when they can—usually by heating prepped meals and/or grabbing cut fruit/vegetables.
Pack Ruts increase an alpha's natural desire to protect their pack. They are often restless and aggressive, reacting violently to perceived threats or intruders (save for pups). Unless they feel particularly safe, they will spend a lot of time alert, sometimes even getting up to patrol the area around their nest, though always keeping their pack in sight. When not doing that, they're scenting and nuzzling their pack, ensuring their well-being and reaffirming their claim. They begin producing more, stronger pheromones, causing their scent glands to become swollen and sensitive. Some Alphas become so restless they may refuse sleep or food; body tension / pain from hyper-vigilance; and tension headaches. They spend most of this time deep in their instincts, clingy, extra sensitive to rejections, & at times non-verbal.
Pack Heats increase an omega's natural desire to nurture their pack. They want to surround themselves, and their pack, with soft things and comforting scents—keeping their pack close and covering them in their scent. They're very protective during this time, especially of pups, and can be just as aggressive as alpha to perceived threats or intruders. They begin producing more pheromones, which can make their scent glands swollen and sensitive. Some omegas report cramping, dizziness, and fatigue, to varying severity. Some omegas experience cravings, while others report nausea or just a general lack of hunger/disinterest in eating. They spend most of this time deep in their instincts, clingy, extra sensitive to rejections, & at times non-verbal.
Fertile Ruts, in addition to the symptoms of a pack rut, increase an alpha's sex drive. Their refractory period is lessened considerably, though if their knot is to "catch" (whether in an omega, or by using certain toys) it can ease the symptoms, and allow them to rest a little longer. Their skin and erogenous zones become more sensitive. They become flushed and feverish.
Fertile Heats, in addition to the symptoms of a pack heat, cause an Omega to produce slick. Their skin and erogenous zones become more sensitive. They become flushed and feverish. Their body craves a knot, desiring to be filled. Normally, it takes a lot of prep for them to be able to take one without pain, but that time is lessened during a fertile heat. It takes multiple orgasms to settle them. During heat, they’re also able to bloom. Blooming is very common... in romance novels. However, it only happens when an Omega feels safe, cherished, protected. A bloomed Omega requires almost no prep to take a knot—though it also means that, without protection, a pregnancy is almost certain.
Packless cycles, also referred to as dry cycles are less frequent, as without a pack to make them feel safe, the body doesn’t enter into a cycle. However, they do still happen (unless the alpha or omega is suffering from malnutrition or other complications). They’re very painful, both physically and emotionally.
For economy of language, except when talking about a specific dynamic, parents will be referred to as a "dam" and "sire."
Female alphas, female betas, and both omega sexes are all capable of bearing pups. Both alphas, male betas, and male omegas are all capable of siring pups, though it's quite difficult for an omega.
Most pregnancies only result in one, maybe two pups. However, on rare occasions, a beta or omega may have litters—litters being 3-4 pups.
Pregnancies generally last around 9 months.
Female alphas have a very difficult time getting pregnant, and their pregnancies are often considered high-risk until the sixth month mark, with c-sections being common. They are incapable of having litters.
Betas rarely have litters—usually just twins, at the most, and that’s still rarer than a single birth.
Omegas are the most fertile of the three dynamics, and have the highest chance of having litters. Litters are generally only conceived if an omega feels safe/cherished/protected, and are more likely if an omega blooms during conception.
A dam will begin nesting around month 7 or 8, creating a pup nest within the pack or parent's nest. A pup nest is a smaller nest or burrow, meant to keep the pup safe & warm—protected from any nestmates rolling into them, and hidden from prying eyes.
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