Chapter 147 Chapter 147

Chapter 147 Chapter 147
BROKEN SILENCE

TIANA’S POV

The walk back to the palace felt longer than the journey to the old oak tree. My legs were heavy, and my mind was spinning with the hooded stranger’s words.

"The mark was necessary. The brothers cannot protect you from what is coming."

Every step made the mark on my neck throb, reminding me that someone had claimed me without my permission. Someone who was not Ethan, not Ezekiel, and not even Ezra.

I slipped through the side door I had used earlier, moving quietly through the dark corridors. The palace was mostly asleep, but my heart was wide awake, beating fast with fear and confusion.

When I finally reached my chamber, I closed the door behind me and leaned against it, breathing hard.

I could not hold it in anymore.

Tears came suddenly, hot and fast. I slid down the door until I was sitting on the cold floor, my knees pulled up to my chest.

My shoulders shook as I cried quietly. Everything was too much. The mark, the stranger, the fear that someone close to us wanted me gone.

The love I felt for the three brothers and the terror that it might all be destroyed because of this secret on my neck.

Why me?

Why had the Moon Goddess allowed this to happen?

I cried harder, covering my mouth to keep the sound from escaping. The scarf around my neck felt like a chain now. I wanted to rip it off, but I was too scared. Too ashamed to be exposed.

The door opened softly, and held my breath for a while and turned to see who it was.

“Tiana?” Constance’s gentle voice echoed in the room. She stepped inside and closed the door behind her.

When she saw me on the floor, she rushed over and knelt beside me. “Oh, my babe… what happened?”

Unfortunately, I could not speak. I just leaned into her arms and cried. Constance held me tightly, rubbing my back in slow circles, the way she always did when I was upset.

“It’s okay to cry,” she whispered. “You don’t have to be strong right now. I’m here.”

After a few minutes, my tears slowed. I pulled back slightly and wiped my face with my hands.

“I’m scared, Constance,” I whispered. “Someone marked me. It wasn’t any of my brothers. I met someone tonight… at the old oak tree. They said the mark was to protect me from a bigger threat. But I don’t know who to trust anymore. What if the brothers find out? What if they think I let someone else claim me? What if they stop loving me?”

Constance’s eyes filled with worry, but she stayed calm. “Your brothers love you, Tiana. I see it every time they look at you. They will protect you no matter what. But you have to tell them the truth soon. Keeping this secret is hurting you.”

I nodded, but fear still gripped my heart. “I don’t know how. I’m so confused. I love them so much. All three of them. They make me feel safe and wanted. But this mark… it feels like a curse.”

Constance hugged me again. “You are not cursed. You are strong. And you are not alone. We will figure this out together.”

Her words helped a little, but the weight on my chest remained.

Just then, the door opened again and the Alpha heirs suddenly stepped inside.

Their faces were full of concern. They must have felt my fear through the mate bond. Even though only Ethan had the direct connection, the three of them were so close that they often sensed things together.

Ethan reached me first. He knelt down and pulled me gently into his arms. “We felt your distress,” he said softly. “What’s wrong, love? Talk to us.”

Ezekiel sat on my other side, taking my hand. “You’re safe now. No one will hurt you while we’re here.”

Ezra knelt in front of me, and gazed at me with his soft eyes. “We’re here for you. Always.”

I tried to be polite. I tried to smile and say I was fine. But they knew me too well. They could see the tears in my eyes and the way my hands trembled.

Ethan cupped my face gently. “You’re hiding something. We can feel it. Please, Tiana. Let us help you carry this burden.”

I looked at their faces again, full of love, worry, and protection. My heart ached. I wanted to tell them everything. About the mark. About the stranger at the oak tree. About my fear that someone close to us wanted me gone.

But the words would not come.

Instead, I leaned into Ethan’s chest and let them hold me. Their warmth surrounded me like a shield.

Ezekiel rubbed my back slowly, while Ezra held my hand tightly, all of them trying to comfort me.

“You are ours,” Ethan whispered against my hair. “No matter what happens, we will protect you. The rogues are gone. Lucas is gone. No one can hurt you as long as we are with you.”

"Lucas is gone." The words kept echoing in my head, and my heart began to beat faster than before.

Lucas is gone? What the hell does Ethan mean by that?