Chapter 16. Helena POV

“Azalea told me over a mind-link. She had just mated with Ivan, and everything was so happy. Then your father collapsed, and she bragged to me about what she had done.”

“But why didn’t you tell me?” he urged, the emotion clear in his voice, despite his calm face.

“Because it was too much, you had only just come back into Royal life, every time I tried to find a chance to tell you in weeks after was impossible. You were grieving and in pain yet trying to organise a funeral and a coronation…I just wanted to take care of you.”“I would have had her on the East Wall that same night,” he uttered darkly.

“I know, but that won’t stop Alpha Francis. With her alive at least we know the vessel he is using to try and get to us.”

“Is this why you insisted Ivan was sent to Five Lakes, to get rid of Azalea?”

“Yes,” I answered guiltily, forcing my eyes up to meet his though my vision was blurred with tears. “I thought if she was out of the way I could come up