Then she heard his apology, it was far from genuine and sincere, but Esme knew that this was the first time in a very long time anyone in the NightCrawler Pack ever thanked her. Dane and his family were the worst. They worked her to the bone but never said thank you, not even once. 

Not that she expected anything from the people who tormented her, but at least, thank you wasn't a hard thing to say. And it was only to do so when a person deserves it. 

‘Perhaps I am undeserving in their eyes’? Esme thought. Her fist clenched at her side, and her teeth gritted in anger, but her expression remained stoic, but that sense of satisfaction from earlier quickly faded away.

“Are you satisfied with this?” Esme heard Grant ask, and she whipped her head upwards to look at his face. He was genuinely asking her if she was pleased with Dane’s forced out gratitude.

Esme pressed her lips into a thin line as she looked away. Her gaze briefly fell on Dane's still rigid frame, and she nodded her head softly. “Yes,” she said in a whisper. 

“You may leave now, Alpha Dane,” He said dismissively.

Dane gave one last bow of his head before he left. From the glow of his eyes, it was obvious how angry he was, but he had to swallow it all. He couldn't act brazenly before the king. As easy as Esme could be to deal with, she was standing side by side with the king at the moment. 

“Is there anything you wished to take along? Is there anyone else?” Grant asked, and Esme shook her head. “All right,” he said with a nod of his head. 

“I will lead you to where you can wait. It's a bit far, do you mind?” Grant heard her ask, and he smiled. Shaking his head, her urged her to lead the way. “Come on, Alicia.” Esme looked at Alicia, who seemed momentarily lost as he pointed a finger at herself, asking, ‘me'? 

Esme smiled lightly at her and nodded her head. 

Alicia looked at Grant, who still held Esme's hand and hesitated, but realizing that she might be offending the king by nor moving, she followed behind them.

Esme still felt awkward and apprehensive towards Grant, but right now, she had decided to put on a bold front. 

Meanwhile, Leonardo moved briskly, giving commands through the mind link to the worriors while also speaking to the surviving pack members. Wanting to know exactly how it all began and get a detailed report to present to the king later on. 

By the time he returned to where Grant once stood with Esme, they had already left, and he sighed. But the sight of Dane and Dawson, along with the healer, caught his attention. 

From the Intel that he was able to gather, it all started within the packhouse, so they were the most suitable to provide adequate information. With that thought in mind, he approached the three of them. 

His steps halted when he felt the irritation coming from Alpha Dane buy assumed it must due to his son's condition.

“Alpha Dane,” Leonardo called, and Dane nearly growled at him but held it back in time as soon as she realized that it was the king's advisor that called. Leonardo didn't seem to mind his attitude and continued without thinking much about it.

“I am deeply sorry for what happened here today,” Dane rose to his feet, a deep furrow etched between his brows, but he said nothing. “But I am afraid I would have to take a moment of your time, if you don't mind.”

“Is it about the attack?” Dane sked already aware the Leonardo was going about asking people about it. 

“Yes,” Leornado replied. His tone is professional and posture striaght. His gaze locked with that of Dane, and his face lacked any expression.

“My beta would have the detailed report given to you soo,” Dane side, not interested in continuing the conversation.

His attitude annoyed Leonardo, but he didn't stop then, still assuming he was unsettled due to the attack.

“The wounds have all been healed, Alpha, but Dawson would need a little bit of time to regain his strength,” the healer said momentarily, stopping the tension that was building up.

“Aren't the herbs and medicines to help build up his strength?” Dane asked. He hated seeing his son so weak. As the next Aloha, he could allow himself to be weak. He couldn't be seen weak. As he thought about that, his mind went back to Esme. Had he known he would have allowed Dawson to have her when he wanted to. 

Dane grits his teeth so hard that the healer flinched from the sound made.

“The cuts had poison in them which made healing and restoring his strength difficult. It was also what stopped his healing from taking effect,” she tried to explain, but Dane only growled. Irritation. 

Meanwhile, Leonardo took note of the healers report as something worth noting and remembering.

“May I have a word with you, Healer?” He said. Dane wanted to stop her, but knowing he would be overstepping, he he nodded at her when he looked at him for permission. With the permission given, she left the father and son and followed the royal advisor.

“I only have a few questions to ask,” Leonardo began while she nodded. “What else did you notice in the bodies of the may of importance?” 

The healer gave it some thoughtbbefire she nodded her. “The poisonnspreads speedily and corodes the bones at great speed. Those bitten by the creatures suffer a higher level of I feel tion compared to those who got wounded by clwas.”

“Thank you,” Leonardo said and was about to leave, but she stopped him.

“I have a request to make if it isn't too much, your grace,” he paused and looked at her. “It isn't about the wounded but a person. I don't know where she is, but I am sure that she is still alive. Please find her and take care of her. If possible, take her away from this pack.”

Leonardo frowned. It wasn't unlike a healer to request something like unless this person held some significance to her.

“And who might this person be?” He asked. The crease between his still visible, but his tone came cool and collected.