Chapter 150 Chapter 150

Chapter 150 Chapter 150
TORN BETWEEN SECRETS 

TIANA’S POV

I woke up exhausted, my body heavy and my mind clouded. 

The encounter with the hooded stranger at the old oak tree still felt like a bad dream. The mark on my neck burned faintly beneath the scarf, a constant reminder that someone had claimed me without my permission. 

I touched it gently, feeling the raised edges of the bite. It was still there, and real. I sat up slowly in bed and replayed the stranger’s words in my head.

"Watch the ones who smile the most."

The warning sent a chill down my spine. I immediately felt guilty for even thinking about it. How could I suspect the people I loved? 

Ethan, Ezra, and Ezekiel had protected me. They had saved me from the rogues. Constance had been by my side through everything. Even Seraphina had fought with me in the cave. 

I refused to let doubt poison my heart. They are my family. They are my mates. I would not turn against them because of one mysterious warning.

A soft knock sounded on the door, interrupting my thoughts.

“Come in,” I called.

Constance stepped inside with a tray of breakfast. She smiled when she saw me sitting up. “Good morning. You look a little better today.”

I tried to smile back, but it felt forced. “Thank you.”

Breakfast was served in the family dining hall. The three brothers were already there, waiting for me. 

The moment I walked in, they stood up. Ethan pulled out my chair with a gentle smile. “Sit, love. You need to eat well after everything.”

He served me food himself, warm bread, fresh fruits, and a bowl of rich soup. Ezra noticed I was distracted and leaned closer. “Are you sleeping well, princess? You look tired.”

Ezekiel studied my face quietly, his eyes full of concern. “You still look exhausted. If you need more rest, we can cancel everything today.”

Their kindness made my guilt even heavier. I almost told them everything several times during breakfast. 

The words were on the tip of my tongue, the hooded stranger, the mark, and the warning. But each time, I remembered the stranger’s words. 

"Telling them now could make things worse." So I stayed silent.

Alpha Gabriel watched the scene with an amused smile as Ethan poured more soup into my bowl while Ezra reached for the fruit platter before I even had the chance.

Ezekiel quietly slid a glass of juice closer to me, as though the three of them had silently divided their duties.

Gabriel chuckled.

"Would you look at the three of you?" he said, shaking his head. "Anyone walking in would think Tiana had three personal attendants instead of three Alpha heirs."

A ripple of laughter spread around the table. My mother smiled before pretending to sigh dramatically.

"I certainly hope all this pampering is ordinary," she teased. "I wouldn't want things to go too far."

For a brief second, the entire dining hall fell silent, while heat rushed to my cheeks.

I looked down at my plate while, at the same time, Ethan, Ezra, and Ezekiel exchanged awkward glances with one another.

Even Constance pressed her lips together, clearly trying not to laugh. Alpha Gabriel blinked before turning toward my mother.

"What do you mean by that?" he asked innocently. "Don't tell me you're jealous."

My mother widened her eyes. "Jealous?" she repeated, trying to sound offended.

Gabriel grinned. "Of course. I've never had three Alphas competing over who gets to refill my plate."

The room erupted into laughter. Even I couldn't stop the smile that spread across my face.

For a few precious moments, the burden weighing on my heart became a little easier to carry.

After breakfast, Constance found me in my chamber, staring into space near the window. She pulled me into a quiet corner and held my hands.

“Talk to me,” she said softly. “You’ve been carrying something heavy since last night. I can see it in your eyes. You don’t have to face it alone.”

Tears filled my eyes. I wanted to tell her everything, the letter, the stranger, the burning mark. But fear held me back. 

“I’m scared, Constance. I don’t know who to trust anymore. I love them so much, but something feels wrong. I don’t want to lose them.”

She hugged me tightly. “You won’t lose them. They love you. Whatever it is, we’ll face it together. You are stronger than you think.”

Her words comforted me, but before I could say more, Seraphina arrived unexpectedly. She walked in with a bright smile, carrying a list of preparations.

“Preparations for the upcoming festival are going well,” she announced. “Tiana, are you really ready for the competition? You’ve been through so much.”

I nodded, trying to sound confident. “Practicing with Ezekiel has really help me a lot in the competition.”

Constance smiled. “I believe you will do great.”

Seraphina nodded. “I hope you make us all proud.”

The conversation continued, but my mind suddenly went miles away. Then suddenly, two separate invitations arrived within minutes of each other. 

A servant brought the first one from Ethan, asking me to accompany him somewhere the following day. A little later, another servant delivered a private note from Ezekiel, asking me to meet him at almost the same time.

I stared at the two notes in my hands, completely confused.

How am I supposed to choose?

My heart felt torn. The brothers both wanted time with me, but I was hiding so much from them. The mark, the stranger, the letter, and everything was weighing me down.

I did not know how much longer I could keep pretending everything was fine.

I folded the notes and slipped them into my pocket, forcing a smile as Seraphina and Constance continued talking. But deep inside, I was breaking.

"Tiana!" Mother's voice suddenly echoed from the hallway.

Before I could respond, the door flung open and my mother walked in with a stern face and a parchment in her hand.