Kaius arrived just in time to see the aftermath.
Four men lay sprawled across the cracked pavement, groaning or unconscious, at Austin 's feet. Blood pooled beneath them like dark ink on asphalt.
He approached fast, focused and tense. His gaze locked on the blood across her face and hands, and his eyes turned cold.
His wolf was already growling in his head, teeth bared, ready to kill again if needed.
Austin looked up slowly. Her eyes met his, and the tension in her shoulders eased a little. Recognition flickered through her gaze.
"It's not my blood,"she said, voice low but steady.
Kaius pulled a white handkerchief from the pocket of his coat and stepped close. Carefully, almost reverently, he wiped the blood from her cheekbones and jawline. Not until he was sure she was
