Copyright

  Copyright © 2026 by Kat Sinclair

  Published 2026 by Sinclair Books

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher or author, except in the case of the brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law.

  Any use of this publication to train generative artificial intelligence technologies to generate text is expressly prohibited.

  No generative AI was used in the creation of this book.

  Cover illustration by Vic Nuckowska

  Beta Read and Consultation by Ellie at Glow Up Edits

  Proofreading and Editing by SinclairBooks

  Interior Design and Formatting by SinclairBooks

  Contents

  Acknowledgements

  Venusverse

  Content Warning

  1. Chapter 1

  Wren

  2. Chapter 2

  Russell

  3. Chapter 3

  Wren

  4. Chapter 4

  Russell

  5. Chapter 5

  Wren

  6. Chapter 6

  Russell

  7. Chapter 7

  Wren

  8. Chapter 8

  Russell

  9. Chapter 9

  Wren

  10. Chapter 10

  Russell

  11. Chapter 11

  Wren

  12. Chapter 12

  Russell

  13. Chapter 13

  Wren

  14. Chapter 14

  Russell

  15. Chapter 15

  Russell

  16. Chapter 16

  Wren

  17. Chapter 17

  Wren

  Social Media

  Feedback & Newsletter

  ALSO BY KAT SINCLAIR

  Acknowledgements

  To those who helped make this book what it is,

  but especially Ellie and Amy,

  thank you.

  Venusverse

  This section covers the main features and vocabulary of the omegaverse, as well as the specifics of Venusverse’s spin on it. It serves to answer questions a reader less familiar with the trope might have. Essentially, Venusverse is a non-shifter, grounded, contemporary omegaverse world. Homophobia and transphobia are nearly non-existent in its society.

  THE BASICS

  Homo Sapiens Venus (also known as the second gender, the venus, or the venus sex) is a sub-species of humans believed to have evolved at some point in history as a result of an extremely unfavorable environment. They differ from regular people (Homo Sapiens Sapiens, or betas) by having a special organ called the venus gland.

  Venus gland is a small gland at the back of individuals’ neck, which facilitates the specific hormonal activity of producing and sensing pheromones.

  Pheromones are chemicals that all animals (including humans) produce that changes the behavior of another animal of the same species. The effects of this are usually subconscious and barely noticeable, but thanks to the venus gland, the venus are not only more sensitive to each other’s pheromones but also produce a specific, strong type which sexually and emotionally attracts them together. Pheromones usually begin emitting shortly after the beginning of puberty, at 13-18 years old, followed by a steady increase in activity of the venus gland.

  The specific scent pheromones give off seems to be unique to each individual, and also perceived slightly differently from person to person. Most common comparisons are drawn to the smell of flowers, sweets, nature and other pleasurable scents.

  Members of the venus sex are separated into alphas and omegas. Besides the aforementioned sensitivity to pheromones and the presence of the venus gland, alpha men and omega women are not too different from beta men and beta women. They possess a higher than average resilience to many diseases, have slightly longer lifespans, and more successful fertility rates. The most significant biological discrepancy is found in omega men, who can become pregnant, and alpha women, who have the ability to impregnate.

  Alpha men possess a unique organ called bulbus glandis—a spherical area of erectile tissue at the base of the penis that engorges with blood while copulating. This is called knotting. The tissue usually only engages when an alpha is in rut or with an extreme sexual (and emotional) arousal. The omega sexes have evolved to generally find the experience pleasurable, but in sexual intercourse with a beta (male or female), it is often uncomfortable and can cause injuries.

  Alpha women possess a retractable erectile tissue, usually hidden within the body, which becomes engorged with blood when in rut. This causes the clitoris to function as a small penis, which can be used for penetration. Their knot is less developed than in alpha males, but present. The alpha women’s ovaries are also unique in a way which doubles them as testes through complex hormonal shifts and slightly different biology.

  Omega men, as mentioned, have the capability of becoming pregnant. Just as the urethra opens into the vestibule near a vaginal opening in beta women, the rectum is a smaller opening in the omega male’s anus, which is self-lubricating, while the main opening (regular anus for beta men) leads into the omega male equivalent of a vagina and uterus, which sits between the prostate and rectum. This means that when a penis is inserted, it enters the reproductive route, and the usual anal sex path to the rectum only opens when defecating.

  Omega men also possess an underdeveloped version of ovaries which connects to their prostate. Though pregnancy is common, babies are often born prematurely, at lower weight, and cesarean is needed in many cases.

  The crucial aspect differentiating alphas and omegas from betas are their fertility rates. Among the pregnancies between alphas and omegas, miscarriage is statistically near non-existent no matter the gender, and fertility rates overall are also higher, especially for alpha female/omega male and alpha male/omega female couples. The fertility window is larger, too; making a healthy pregnancy possible into the late 40s and even early 50s.

  This is mainly facilitated by highly fertile periods called rut for alphas and heat for omegas. These happen once every 2-4 months (depending on the individual) and last for 4-5 days. Similar to the reproductive cycle of ovulation in cis beta females, both stages are signaled by heightened hormonal activity of the venus gland. Pregnancy between alpha and omega is extremely likely at this time.

  The typical symptoms are heightened sexual libido (which is the most intense symptom for 1-2 days in the middle of the cycle) and changes to the working of the frontal lobe, causing slightly impaired decision-making and emotional control. Less desirable side effects include heart palpitations, vertigo, increased body temperature, anxiety, or migraines.

  Suppressants are drugs which alleviate most symptoms of rut or heat or to stop it altogether. They can also be used to make pheromones less noticeable. There is still a lack of research when it comes to them. They can be expensive and don’t work well for every individual, leading to possible undesirable side effects.

  There’s a broad disagreement about the social and psychological implications of being an alpha or omega. Many alphas are observed to be more assertive, hot-headed, charismatic and have somewhat higher chances of psychopathy, while omegas are believed to often be empathetic, caring and submissive, with some inclination for anxiety disorders. This is overall seen as outdated stereotyping and not scientifically proven, but exists in society as any other gender norms and expectations.

  The most prevalent but increasingly less popular religious belief surrounding the venus is The Church of Divine Dualis Sovereign (commonly abbreviated as DDS). Members of this church, which is considered a cult by many betas and venusfolk alike, are called dualists, and believe in the existence of dual gods, female alpha Alis, and male omega Dual, who hail the Homo Sapiens Venus as the evolutionary and spiritual solution to the future of the human race. The commonly held notion is that the venus have been introduced by the gods to cleanse humanity, and their existence is the ultimate form of life. Betas are considered imperfect and corrupt and are not to mix with the Children of the Dualis. Members of the DDS also believe in fated mates (comparable to soulmates), a godly connection between an alpha and omega only that is undeniable and sacred, reflecting the bond between Alis and Dual, and leading to the deepest, most complete form of love. For the members of the religion, finding a fated mate is a blessing and a guarantee to ascending after death.

  While the large majority of dualists simply acknowledge the extraordinary nature of the venus and their different lived experience, a small, highly orthodox branch of the religion, the Children of Dualis, has strict rules for any and all contact with betas, going as far as only using products made by venusfolk, living in their own pockets of society separated from betas, and believing that humanity will not ascend until they are bred out. Some of the more primal and generally societally unfavorable impulses are often encouraged, like possessiveness of alphas toward omegas, and using protection when in heat or rut or abstaining from following one’s breeding instincts at this time is considered sacrilegious.

  The venus sexes make about 35% of the population, more or less common in various areas of the world.

  Content Warning

  This book contains mature language, explicit adult scenes, and handles sensitive topics. It includ
es a main character dealing with the trauma from past parental SA, mental health struggles, and active on-page substance abuse issues (addiction to opioids). There are mentions of parental death, suicide, suicidal ideation, and losing loved ones to cancer. Mpreg is present briefly at the end of the story.

  The most detailed content warnings can be found at author-sinclair.com/embers-of-winter.

  Chapter 1

  Wren

  I’m supposed to be packing. Instead, I found that stupid sweater, and now it is like the world is collapsing on top of me again. The sweater Felix bought me overseas for our second anniversary. Merino wool. Expensive. Comfortable. Meaningless. Like everything Felix and I had.

  I throw the sweater across the room with a grunt. If only it were something that could shatter against the wall or break into a thousand pieces. But it is not. I don’t get that satisfaction.

  My hair falls into my face, irritating me even more, so I pull it back into a messy, loose bun, just in time for Dex to appear in the doorway, one brow cocked and her brown eyes darting toward the sweater on the floor.

  “Are you alright?” she asks with a worried frown. She’s been watching me like a hawk ever since…well, since the breakup. Since I came home in the middle of the night two days afterward, eyes red and cheeks still wet with tears, apologizing for relapsing. For disappointing her.

  Dex has kept an eye on me like a good friend would, but from the moment I got the call about my mother and told her I’m leaving for Silverpine to deal with the house, she’s become ten times more attentive, basically living up my ass.

  “Mhmm,” I mutter, grabbing some more clothes to shove in my travel bag. It shouldn’t take long. Two, three days max. I’ll be in and out.

  It’ll be fine.

  Dex leans against the door. “Want me to burn it?”

  I snort. “Sell it or something.”

  “I wish I could go through the apartment for you and pick out all the traces of him to discard them,” she says, her voice a mix of anger and sadness. “I’m sorry. I know how much this sucks, believe me.”

  With a sigh, I stop packing and look at her. Yeah, I wish that were possible, too.

  After over three years of dating, there are bound to be painful little reminders of him scattered across my place, and I’ll definitely keep finding them for a long time. He basically lived here. He even had a fucking key…

  Now, I’ll have to relive those memories again and again, while he’s out there enjoying his life and doing who knows what with another alpha.

  Stop thinking like that. He’s not your omega. Not anymore.

  Never was.

  “Wouldn’t mind if you bought me a new bed while I’m gone,” I add with a bitter chuckle, glancing at it briefly. I’ve slept on the living room couch for the past two months, unable to put my head down here ever since…

  My thoughts evaporate as white-hot rage floods me again. Memories flash through my mind as quick, feverish snapshots. A muffled moan in a voice I don’t recognize, filtering out into the hallway. A long stretch of skin, damp with sweat and exertion…

  I shake my head, desperate to erase them. I still can’t believe he fucking did that to me. In my damn bed! At my place!

  Clenching my jaw until my teeth hurt, I look away only to see Dex coming up to me. She puts her hand on my shoulder and presses her lips together in that well-meaning way that tells me I won’t like what she’s about to say.

  “I really don’t think it’s a good idea for you to go there right now, Wren.”

  I pull away and shake my head, frustration building up inside me. If not now, when? I’m already up to my neck in phone calls from the estate agent. I can hardly sleep on that damned couch for thoughts of the house, of her things, just sitting there, waiting for me. I don’t need any distractions, and that’s what this is: a giant, looming distraction, a cloud hanging over me when I need to be focusing on other things.

  Like now. Like when I should get myself together and try to stay clean. When all I want to do is give up and use again until none of this matters.

  “I don’t think it would be the worst thing for you to wai—” Dex continues, but I cut her off.

  “I have to.”

  “No, you don’t.”

  Words stick in my throat as I try to respond, so I just huff in frustration and shake my head, stepping away from her to pack a few more warm socks.

  I haven’t been up there in the mountains in so long, but I still remember how harsh the winters are. Hopefully, the weather isn’t too bad. My car should be fine, and these clothes should be enough.

  Her uneasy sigh pulls my attention. It doesn’t suit her to worry like this. But of course, it wouldn’t be me if I didn’t make the lives of everyone around me worse.

  “At least push it back. Let me check with my work to see if there’s any time I can take off in the coming weeks, then we go there together and—”

  “I’m fine. I’m going,” I say sharply, while I still can.

  Dex’s brows furrow and the corners of her mouth pull downward as she searches my gaze. She must not like what she sees, because she sighs and her shoulders slump a little. She pushes her short, freshly-dyed blue hair out of her face before making a grimace of resignation. I’m going, and she can’t change my mind.

  I know I’m acting like an asshole, so once my bag’s packed, I step toward her. “I need to do this. It won’t be more than a few days. Besides, going there will be good for me, don’t you think?” I smirk at her. “What is there to get high on? Snow? Pinecones?”

  She slaps me over the shoulder. “You’re an idiot.” She might be smiling, but there’s still worry in her eyes.

  It’s clear to me what she must be thinking, so I force out more reassurance, even though it drains me. It’s nobody’s fault but mine for being the kind of person who has to assure people around them like this. A failure kind of person. “I swear I’ll come right back, no matter what happens there. No matter how—” How shit I feel. No matter what revolting feelings and memories that place will bring out. “No matter what. I promise.”

  Dex locks me in a tight, warm hug.

  “I’m sorry I can’t be there with you,” she says, but her voice is drowned out by the smell of her perfume. It faintly reminds me of Felix’s scent. A mix of soft wisteria and caramel. That scent used to be one of comfort and safety.

  “Then maybe you should’ve taken care of me like a proper alpha!”

  I fight against the suffocating, excruciating hurt by screwing my eyes shut and slowly exhaling through my nose.

  Dex isn’t even aware that the stupid fragrance she sprayed on herself this morning without a care in the world would throw me back into that memory. Of him standing there, shouting at me, the room filled with Felix’s and that bastard’s pheromones.

  She can’t understand, as a beta, so I try not to pull away too quickly when the intense disgust rises in my throat. Instead, I put on a smile that feels like it weighs a thousand pounds, like I’ll collapse under the weight of it. But it’s a smile, and it makes her feel better, at least I hope.

  “It’ll take about half a day to drive there, and I shouldn’t stay for more than two days. I don’t know how the signal is gonna be. Probably crap. Always was. I’ll message you if anything changes.”

  Nodding, Dex squeezes my arms briefly, like she’s convincing herself to let me go and fend for myself, before moving to the side.

  “Bring me a souvenir, would you? A Silverpine magnet or something.”

  I smirk back at her from the doorway, accompanied by a loud snortle. “Yeah. Right.”