Chapter 146 Chapter 146

Chapter 146 Chapter 146
THE HOODED STRANGER

TIANA’S POV

Later that night, when the palace was quiet and everyone was asleep, I slipped out of my chamber through a side door and walked into the dark forest.

The old oak tree was easy to find. It was the biggest and oldest tree behind the palace, with branches that reached toward the moon like hands.

I waited in the dark, my hands shaking. The night was cold, and the forest was full of strange sounds. Honestly, I was scared. But I refused to leave.

Then suddenly, I began to hear footsteps.

A figure stepped out from behind the tree, wearing a dark hood. I could not see their face clearly.

“You came,” the voice said. “Good. That means you want the truth.”

“Who are you?” I asked, my voice trembling. “Why did you mark me? What do you want from me?”

The figure stepped closer, tilting their head slightly.

“The mark was necessary. The Alpha heirs cannot protect you from what is coming, but I can. If you want to survive, you must listen to me.”

The confidence in the stranger's voice unsettled me. There was no hesitation or uncertainty, only absolute conviction, as though they had already seen a future I knew nothing about.

I took a step back, fear and confusion mixing inside me. This was the person who had marked me. But what the hell is he talking about?

“You marked me without my consent. You forced this thing on me. How is that protection?”

The mark flared suddenly, sending a sharp wave of heat through my body.

My skin flushed hot, and my breath ceased as a rush of unwanted arousal flooded me. My nipples hardened against my dress, and a deep ache formed between my legs.

I gasped, pressing my thighs together, trying to fight the sensation. What the hell was this? I thought this was over.

I dug my nails into my palms until they hurt, hoping the sharp sting would distract me from the overwhelming heat. It didn't. Every heartbeat only seemed to awaken the mark even more.

The figure watched me closely. “The mark is strong because it was made with purpose. It binds you to a greater fate. The Alpha heirs think they own you, but they don’t understand the danger that is coming. A threat bigger than rogues. A threat from inside the pack itself.”

I clenched my fists, as tears of frustration and fear burned in my eyes. “Tell me who you are! Tell me why you did this!”

The hooded figure stepped closer again and continued.

“I cannot reveal myself yet. But know this, the mark was placed to save you. The brothers’ love is real, but it is not enough. Someone close to them wants you gone. Someone who smiles in your face but plots in the dark. The mark will protect you when the time comes, but only if you trust the pull.”

Another wave hit me. This one was stronger. Heat flooded my core, making my pussy throb with desperate need.

My legs trembled, and I suddenly felt slick running down my thighs. The mark was reacting violently to the stranger’s presence, as if it recognized them.

I stumbled back, pressing my back against the tree. “Stop it… please… make it stop…”

The figure raised a hand. “The mark is not your enemy. It is your shield. But the brothers must not know the truth yet. If they find out too soon, they will try to fight what they cannot understand. And you will be caught in the middle.”

I was shaking, fear, anger and unwanted desire mixing inside me. “You’re lying. You’re trying to turn me against them. I love them. All three of them. I won’t let you destroy that.”

The hooded figure was silent for a long moment. Then they spoke softly. “Love is not always enough to save someone, remember that. The real threat is closer than you think. Watch your friends. Watch the ones who smile the most.”

With those words, the figure stepped behind the tree and disappeared. One moment they were there, the next they were gone, swallowed by the darkness of the forest.

I stood alone under the old oak tree, breathing heavily.

Who was that person? Why had they marked me? And what bigger threat were they talking about?

I wrapped my arms tightly around myself and started walking back toward the palace with unsteady legs. Every step reminded me that someone had claimed me without my knowledge.

When I finally reached the palace walls, I stopped and looked back at the dark forest. The mysterious sender was still out there.

And the truth they offered felt more dangerous than the lie I was living. I touched the scarf around my neck, feeling the raised mark underneath.

I had to find out the truth.

But at what cost?