I feel like I'm asking a stupid question but, what is the mating run? I keep seeing it in the tags and don't have the slightest clue as to what it is.
I hunt for you with bloodied feet across the hallowed ground….
There seems to be a general consensus in fics that Mating Runs are an ABO/Werewolf specific mating ritual where the participants hunt for a mate.
The hunting grounds are usually a forest, or within a specified breeding territory (like the Beacon Hills Preserve, in the Teen Wolf fandom). Alphas, Betas, and Omegas are released into the woods butt naked at predetermined intervals or with one dynamic given a head start (Omegas usually). Within the allotted time frame (Heat week/month/Ruts/etc) the participants must use all of their senses, wiles, and cunning in order to not only survive in the wilderness, but track down and even fight one another for a compatible mate.
Usually it’s the Omegas being hunted by Alphas and Betas, and dubious consent is often a thing when Omegas are just being yanked into the tall grasses and mounted right then and there. Headstrong independent bamf Omegas often try to make it hard for Alphas and Betas to find them. Others see it as a good thing and try to prepare as much as possible, eager for a mate for claim them.
Alphas usually can sniff out a mate fairly quickly, unless Soulmates and Soul Bonds are thrown into the mix; forcing some participants to leave empty-handed run after run until their true mate matures/presents or moves into town, and they finally pick up THAT one special scent.
Betas either end up paired with each other; are challenged by Alphas for perspective mates and have to fight for who they want; are released faster to get the easy pickings due to their lesser senses; take the longest to finish the run due to lesser senses, thus ending up with whichever participants were left; or leave empty-handed (often they see this as a good thing, leaving them with the best chance of finding someone on their own terms outside of the “archaic” runs).
Mating Runs are usually government sponsored events; necessary for the continuation of the species if set in a dystopian society where population control or dwindling numbers requires more or less forced participation by all members of society. More often than not, Omegas don’t leave a mating run having been mated and claimed and not be pregnant.
So, that’s pretty much my ESSAY on what Mating Runs are. Nothing is definite, as there are so many fics in so many fandoms that treat it so many ways. But this is the general gist of it. Probably forgot to mention something important that someone’s gonna point and laugh at me about later.
prguitarman
baratheonpilled
blakekathryn
annaxmalina
andulkaphoto
discoholicmusic
jbbartram-illu
theartofmadeline
