Chapter 10
Austin/Juliet
Six years had passed since that fateful night at The Cardinal Hotel. Six years of building a new life.
Six years of raising three beautiful children far from the relentless scrutiny of New York's high society and its ever-spinning gossip circles. Six years of looking over her shoulder, wondering if the Blackwood Alpha would ever find her.
Austin Voss stood in the bustling arrivals hall of JFK International Airport.
Her designer sunglasses sat perfectly on her nose, despite the artificial lighting.
Her brown hair was swept into a sleek chignon. It framed her delicate features and highlighted the pearl earrings that caught the light when she moved. She looked calm, collected, and completely in control.
"Mommy, can we get ice cream? " Elena tugged at the sleeve of Austin's cashmere coat. Her wide blue eyes sparkled with excitement. At six years old, she already showed signs of the beauty she would grow into. Her porcelain skin and glossy black hair made heads turn.
"We just landed, sweetheart," Austin said gently. "Let's get settled first."
She glanced around the terminal, noting how strangers paused to admire the children. The triplets drew attention wherever they went.
Milo stood quietly at her side. His blue eyes were serious, and his dark hair was neatly combed.
Elena stayed close to him, clutching his hand.
Leo, on the other hand, had already wandered a few steps away. He was charming an elderly woman with a smile that could melt steel. His golden eyes sparkled with mischief.
"Austin !"
A familiar voice rose above the noise. Lucy Carter waved as she walked quickly through the crowd, her tote bag bouncing against her hip.
"Aunt Lucy !"
The kids lit up and ran toward her. Their laughter echoed through the terminal.
Lucy crouched to hug them all at once. "You've gotten so big since our last call. Milo, are you taller than me already? "
"Did you bring us presents? " Leo asked, eyes on her bag.
"Leo," Austin said quietly.
Lucy smiled. "What kind of godmother shows up empty-handed? But first-who wants to see the teddy bear workshop at the mall? They have new wolf cubs you can customize."
The kids cheered. A flight attendant passing by smiled. A tired mother nearby paused to watch.
"Please, Mom? " Elena asked, her usual calm gone.
Austin hesitated. Her instincts screamed to keep them close. But they were in public. Cameras. People. Bright lights.
"Alright," she said. "Stay together. Meet me at carousel four in thirty minutes. No exceptions."
Lucy gave her a steady look. "I've got them. I promise."
Austin nodded. She watched them blend into the crowd, then turned toward baggage claim.
The carousel was moving. Luggage circled slowly. She spotted her suitcase and stepped forward.
Then she felt it.
A weight. A presence. Someone watching.
Her breath caught. She reached for the handle.
Before she could grab it, a hand closed around her wrist.
Electric heat shot up her arm.
She froze.
"Juliet? "
A deep voice rumbled behind her, low and unmistakable, like distant thunder rolling over a wide plain. The sound sent a cold shiver down her spine.
Austin flinched. Instinct kicked in.
She tried to pull away, but the grip on her wrist tightened.
Her heart slammed against her ribs as she turned and came face-to-face with the man who had haunted her dreams for six long years.
Kaius Blair.
He stood before her, larger than memory, golden eyes burning with the same ruthless fire. His shoulders were broader, his jaw more defined.
Power radiated off him like heat from sunbaked asphalt. Everyone nearby seemed to fade into the background.
Austin kept her face still. No flicker of recognition. No weakness. Just cold control.
"I'm sorry," she said coolly, her accent sharpened and clipped, more London than Louisiana."I believe you have me confused with someone else."
Kaius didn't let go. His nostrils flared slightly. He was searching-testing the air for her scent.
But there was nothing. Just clean, scentless skin.
"You look..." he paused, eyes scanning her face like he was trying to solve a puzzle he didn't know he'd already solved.
A flicker of something passed through his gaze-recognition, or maybe memory.
"Familiar."
"I get that a lot," she replied with a shrug, the movement casual, rehearsed. "I must have one of those faces."
He didn't smile. He didn't blink. His gaze was unrelenting.
There was something about her that pulled at him-not just memory, but instinct.
Alex stirred restlessly inside him, his wolf pacing just beneath the surface.
But she was human. Completely human. Not even a trace of wolf energy.
And yet-
"Are you Juliet Walton? " he asked, voice sharp now. Direct. Commanding.
The kind of voice that didn't leave room for lies.
The name she'd abandoned years ago hit her like a physical blow.
"No," she said smoothly, her voice calm, practiced. "My name is Austin Voss. I believe you have me confused with someone else."
Kaius's eyes narrowed, probing hers with unsettling focus. He was searching for a lie, something to betray her.
But Juliet held his gaze, steady and unreadable. Years of pretending had forged her into something close to unshakable.
Inside, her pulse thundered.
Kaius inhaled slowly, brow furrowing in concentration.
"Austin Voss," he repeated, tasting the name like cheap wine he didn't trust. "You're certain we haven't met? "
Austin arched an eyebrow, tilting her chin slightly. She stood straighter, slipping into the skin of the woman she'd spent years becoming-a composed, high-functioning professional who didn't blink under pressure.
"Quite certain," she replied. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have people waiting."
Her gaze dropped pointedly to the hand still wrapped around her wrist.
"This is becoming... uncomfortable."
For a long moment, neither of them moved. Then Kaius released herfinally . He stepped back with a slight nod, though the intensity in his eyes never wavered.
"My apologies, Ms. Voss," he said. "The resemblance is... remarkable."
Juliet gave a brisk nod and bent to retrieve her suitcase-and the second one that had arrived during their conversation.
"No harm done. Good day, Mr...? "
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