The Fake Mate

The Alpha/Beta/Omega (A/B/O) subgenre, often referred to as the omegaverse, is a speculative and usually erotic subgenre that features a social hierarchy based on strict power dynamics such as dominance and submission and secondary genders such as alpha, beta, and omega. Though the exact origin remains hypothetical, the genre is typically attributed to fanfiction communities, specifically those dedicated to the American television show Supernatural. It arose around the year 2010 and spread to other media fandoms, eventually giving rise to original works of fiction, as seen in Ferguson’s The Fake Mate. The subgenre has been particularly popular in stories that include so-called “shifters,” or humans with the ability to transform into a certain animal, such as wolves, foxes, and the like, and who will often mimic this animal’s traits. Over the years, A/B/O has been incorporated as an element of romance, paranormal, fantasy, and LGBTQ+ narratives, but it is often critiqued for reinforcing problematic power dynamics or gender essentialism.

This criticism typically focuses on the unique gender roles associated with the A/B/O social dynamic, as each secondary gender typically has specific physical, emotional, and societal traits. Alphas are usually portrayed as being strong, aggressive, protective, domineering, and biologically driven to lead or assert control over others.