The Midnight Thread Dance flowed into the Whispering Thread Supper — an intimate Beta courtship tradition held at long, low tables beneath the crystal trees. In this rite, accepted suitors sat beside their chosen lady and shared a private meal while whispering honest thoughts and feelings into a silver thread stretched between them. The thread carried the words directly into the manor’s stone, sealing them as sacred promises. Unlike Alpha rites of dominance and marking, Beta tradition here emphasized vulnerability, listening, and emotional openness — no force, no secrets, only gentle truth shared in public view.
Elara sat beside Lord Rowan at the table, their wrists still linked by the glowing silver thread. Rowan served her portions of warm spiced stew and honeyed bread with careful, res
