Chapter 52. No Other Way

Ainsley

Just as Tristan predicted, nothing in my grandmother’s dozens of journals says anything about a blood oath or ever mentions the concept of it.

While I’m not completely surprised, I do feel bad when delivering the news to Koen after combing through the journals for hours with him and Tristan. He sits quietly while Tristan continues to move through the archives, pulling out a few other records on the off-chance somewhere else mentions the oath.

“I’m sorry,” is all I can think to say to him.

It isn’t fair. None of this is.

Not for him or his pack, who were both tricked by my father.

“Are you sure it actually… that it was truly a blood oath? Maybe they performed another ceremony on you. A different one. My father is known for his tricks.”

“I’d be inclined to believe you if it weren’t for the mark.”

“Izan did mention that when I first met him.”

Koen nods, sliding his chair back to stand up from the table we’ve both bee