Motives

A low growl reverberated through his chest as it made its way out, sending a chill down the spines of everyone who heard him. His gaze turned sharp as he stared at Dane, who had rudely interrupted his conversation with his mate even though it was unintended.

Yes, sweetheart. Is there a problem with that?” Grant asked. Dane shook his head, and Grant took a predatory step forward, but Esme held him back. He looked at her, and she shook her head.

“Forgive me, Your Majesty,” he quickly apologized, but the mistake had already been made, and there was no way he could take it back.

“It is fine. I don't care about what they think or say,” she said, finally regaining her voice and strength to speak again. Maybe it was the way Alpha Dane was affected by seeing her standing beside the king or the disbelief in his eyes f as he was starting to piece together the fact that she meant more to the king than he had assumed.

Whatever it was, she liked his irritation and unease. This mate bond may be new and not fully effective yet due to her recent rejection, and she may still be unwilling to accept it, but right now, it was to her favor. As long as she can use it against Alpha Dane and his family, especially Dawson, then she is more than happy to.

“I am ready to leave now, if you don't mind,” she said, still looking at him, and Grant noted this.

This was the first time she had looked at home for a long time and also the most words she ever said after knowing his identity. He was mad at Aloha Dane, but this was able to appease his beast and him too.

“If that is what you want, how can I refuse?” He said, smiling softly at her. Esme tried to return his smile, but it felt too awkward to do that. In the end, she nodded and looked away.

“Alicia, can we take her too? I don't want to leave her behind,” Grant looked at the girl whom his mate was referring to. He looked back at her and wanted to say yes, but he also wanted for her to look at him first.

And as he had anticipated, when she didn't hear his reply, she turned to look at him, and his smile widened.

“Of course,” came his reply, and she pursed her lips, realizing what he did. He chuckled lightly and intertwined their fingers together. “You take along with anyone you wish to. Our home is big enough to accommodate them all.”

Esme blushed and refused to look at him. Rather. She found everything else other than him, Dane, and Dawson to be worthy of looking at now.

‘Adorable,’ Grant thought, enjoying the sight of her bashful state.

As this exchange between was going on netween them, Dane stared at them befuddled, simply unable to understand what was truly going on.

Has the king chosen her to be his bride?

Did he know she was Hawthorn, and thus his interest in her?

If not that, then what could be his reason for treating her so endearingly?

As many questions ran rampant in his head, but only one made perfect sense. The king knew of Esme birth and family and is after their gifts, too. This was the only thing that made sense to Dane as he couldn't possibly see any other reason worth the effort.

But what if that wasn't the case? What if he truly liked Esme and not because of her family name and gifts?

As he continued to think, a little voice whispered these questions to him, but he shook it all off. There was no way a man like Grant Donovan wouldn't have ulterior motives for choosing a bride who wasn't his fated mate. Especially not Esme.

Meanwhile, Grant had once again reached Leonardo through the mind link, asking when the cars would arrive. He grunted when he was told that it would take a few more minutes. Having no other option left, he thought it was best to tell Esme about it.

She was as eager as he was to leave this pack, and it wasn't just because it lay in ruins now.

“Our ride will be here shortly. Can you leave here for a little while before we leave here?” He asked. He still held her hand tenderly and unwilling to let go. The sparks from their bond, although faint, were there, and Grant wanted to relish it as much as possible.

“Yes,” Esme replied, and he smiled, grateful that she wasn't difficult and making a fuss about it. Not that he would have minded if she threw a tantrum about leaving the place she so desperately wanted to leave.

“I know a place we can sit while we wait,” Esme suggested, and he gladly obliged.

Not sure what to do and knowing he wasn't needed there, Dane bowed his head, ready to leave them alone. Whatever it was between them, he would have fixed it before it was too late. He just needs a little time to talk to Esme alone, and everything will be all okay again.

“I will excuse myself, your Majesty,” he said but didn't hear a reply. “With your permission, of course,” again, there was no reply.

“Should he be excused?” Dane heard the king ask, and he gritted his teeth, knowing whose permission he needed before he could leave.

“Yes,” Esme said, not wanting to see Alpha Dane anymore. At least not so close.

Grant nodded his head and looked at Dane. “You may be excused,” he said dismissively.

As much it irked him, Dane still bowed and said, “Thank You, your Majesty,” he was just about to straighten his posture and leave when Grant spoke again, displeasure filled his tone and Dane felt the air on the back of his neck stand both in anger and fear.

“You should thank her, not me. She gave you the permission to leave,” although he sounded polite, nothing in his tone gave such bearings. It was an order, and Dane knew it was one that he must carry out.

“Th…thank you Esme…ralda,” He spoke through clenched jaws.