“There's a surviving Hawthorne within the Night Crawler Pack?” Leonardo asked, and this was new information to him. He doubted even Grant knew about this. The report that was given to them in the past was that every member of the family was lost in the incident that claimed the family. 

Why would the Night Crawler Pack hide such information?

The healer was taken aback by the question, but soon, it dawned in her that the royal capital didn't know about Esme. “Yes, there is, and she warned the pack about the attack a few days ago. We would have been more prepared if the alpha and the pack had taken seriously her words.”

Leonardo was even more surprised now. Why wouldn't they listen to her? The Night Crawler Pack should know better than anyone else the ability of the Hawthornes. The fact that she foresaw the attack meant that she was a seer. 

“You said she would be punished. Why?” Leonardo still could fully grasp why anything would be kept hidden or the last survivor of the founding family of the Night Crawler pack would be treated so poorly and cruelly.

Not only was she kept a secret, but she was also mistreated. It would have made more sense if they claimed to be hiding her from the world so that no one found out that she existed to protect her. But that didn't seem to be the case. Maltreatment can never be a way of protection. 

“She was born with a weak body. When others her age acquired the beast forms, she never did. Her abilities were also unknown, and for that, the pack considered her a disgrace. Not only did she not possess the abilities her family is known for, she couldn't contribute….” Leonardo stopped her.

“Why don't you come with me. I think his majesty would like to hear this,” he said, and she nodded readily. They began walking in the direction where he picked up Grant's scent. 

“Can I have a physical description of the girl you speak of?” Normally, they wouldn't be any need to ask her that, but after hearing that she was born different, he had his doubts. What if she didn't look like her family always did? Mrs. Hawthorne had a different color of hair from her husband and sons.

“Silver hair and ember eyes. You can never miss her if you ever come across her…” Leonardo stopped moving when he heard that. 

Haven't there met someone with these features already? He asked himself as he put the pieces together. 

“F*ck!” He uttered, startling the healer beside him.

“Is something wrong?” She asked while instinctively taking a step back. 

Hearing her question, he knew he was scared and sighed inwardly. “I am sorry for that. There is nothing wrong, but I might just know where she is,” he said, and he resumed his steps now even faster than before and the healer to run after him.

They walked a bit further away from the pack house, following the trail of the king's scent and they found them seated in the under a tree with Grant leaning on a tree as he watched his mate and her friend talk. 

Leonardo stopped and stared at Esme's back. Her long silver stranded cascading down her back and often dancing to the wind. Even while in the company of others, she looked so lonely from behind like that, and he remembered what the healer had told him.

Feeling a pair of hostile eyes on him, he didn't need anyone to tell him whose they were and what was required of him. Quickly, he peeled his gaze from Esme and turned to bow to his king. 

“Your Majesty,” he quickly said, and his voice like that caused Esme to turn around. The look of surprise flashed across her face for a moment when she saw the healer standing next to the royal advisor and beta. 

“Young Majesty,” the healer greeted with a bow of her own. It surprised her to see Esme with the king, but it only made everything easier for her. At least now she knew that they was no way they would be leaving her behind. The king already seems to like her. She didn't need to be told that. Not after seeing the way he looked at Esme.

Alicia stood up immediately, now aware of the company they had. 

Grant pushed himself off the tree and straightened his posture. He took some steps forward and stopped when he stood between Esme and Leonardo. 

Leonardo found it funny, but he didn't dare laugh. By now, he had figured out who the girl was to his king and friend. 

“Have the cars arrived?” Grant asked before looking over his shoulder, feeling his mate's presence draw closer to him. When she stopped beside him, his hand went around her back, stopping on her hip, and he pulled her closer.

Everyone was taken aback by the possessiveness in that act, including Esme herself. 

But Leonardo was quick to recover.

“Yes, your Majesty,” he answered the question that was asked first before reporting his reason for bringing the woman beside him along. “But before we leave, there is something that you might want to know.” 

Grant narrowed his eyes on him, but he only nodded his head and called the healer forward. “There is something important I found out from her, and I wish for her to give the information to you directly.”

It was then that Grant shifted his attention to her. She was just about to introduce herself when she saw his eyes turn hazy, and she stopped knowing he was communicating with someone else already and shouldn't interrupt.

[“Who is she? And what information?”] He asked through the mind link.

[“She is a healer of this pack.”] Leonardo replied and then looked at healer. [The information she has is about your mate. It's important, Grant. Please listen to her,”] Leonardo replied.

Grant frowned when he heard that it was something regarding his mate. He looked beside him and met Esme gaze briefly before aveerted it and he looked back at Leonardo and the healer. He wanted to as the healer to say it in front of Esme, but what if it was something that could hurt her? He didn't want to be insensitive. 

“The cars have arrived, my love. Would you let Leo take you and your friend there? There is something I need to discuss with this lady overe there,” he said, and his eyes begging for her understanding.

“Yes,” she said, and he smiled before reluctantly letting go of her. “Come Alicia, it's time to go,” Esme called, and Alicia followed her immediately. 

Knowing his cue, Leonardo followed them to guide them. 

“Speak,” Grant ordered as soon as they were gone.