Meanwhile, in the Dark Forest Packhouse, the garden was sumptuously adorned. Garlands with white flowers delicately perfumed and decorated the venue. Small lights adorned the chairs for the guests and signaled the way to the altar where a large arch would frame the bride and groom as they said their vows.

These decorative touches seemed to announce that once the woman accepts the man’s proposal, they will be immediately married.

The bride-to-be was also being prepared with this idea in mind. Half a dozen omegas walked around and helped her arrange all she would need, from bringing her shoes, preparing her jewelry, arranging her hairstyle, choosing the colors of her...