Page 11 of Falling for My Shifter Guardian

And he knows exactly what he’s doing.

I shadow him as he pushes off the lamppost and starts walking, his movements casual but his gaze anything but. He scans the street, his attention flicking briefly to a young couple holding hands across the way. I catch the subtle shift in their posture—the man stepping slightly in front of the woman, his stance protective. Another pair of shifters. Ben raises his phone again.

Snap.

My jaw tightens, my teeth gritting against the growl threatening to escape. He’s building a catalog, a list. Targeting them like prey. My wolf paces, claws raking against the edges of my control, demanding action. But I hold back. Not yet.

Ben pauses near the entrance of the park, his fingers flying over his phone. He’s typing now—notes, most likely. His head lifts occasionally, scanning the area like he’s cataloging every face, every scent. I follow his line of sight and spot Marcus Blackwood, Ryan’s Beta, leaning against a tree, arms crossed. Marcus doesn’t notice Ben, but Ben sure as hell notices him. Another note. Another photo.

My muscles coil tighter, the need to act nearly unbearable. But then, from the corner of my eye, I see her.

Olivia.

She’s walking toward the park entrance, her auburn braid catching the late afternoon sunlight, her light brown eyes scanning the area like she’s looking for someone. Maya’s with her, talking animatedly, her dark curls bouncing as she gestures. Olivia smiles at her friend, but there’s a tension in her posture that stops me cold. She’s been on edge lately, and now, seeing her here—seeing her anywhere near Ben—makes a low, dangerous growl escape my throat.

Ben spots her before she sees him. His entire demeanor shifts—his shoulders relax, his posture becoming less rigid, more casual. But it’s a ruse. I see the sharpness in his eyes, the way his lips twitch with satisfaction. He shoves his phone into his pocket and steps toward her, his boyish grin sliding into place like a well-practiced mask.

“Olivia!” he calls, his voice warm, friendly. Too damn friendly.

She turns at the sound of his voice, her face lighting up with a smile that twists something deep inside me. “Ben! Hey.”

I step closer, keeping to the shadows, my heart pounding in my ears. Maya glances at him, her expression cautious, but Olivia doesn’t notice. She still sees him as the boy who helped her through her grief. She doesn’t see the predator he’s become.

“Wasn’t expecting to see you here,” Ben says, shoving his hands into his pockets. “What’re you two up to?”

“Just grabbing some air,” Olivia replies. “Maya needed a break from work, and I needed a break from... everything else.”

Her laugh is soft, but there’s a strain in it that makes my chest ache. Ben doesn’t seem to notice—or maybe he doesn’t care. His attention flicks briefly to Maya, then back to Olivia, his grin widening.

I step out of the shadows.

“Ben.” My voice is low, steady, carrying the weight of a command.

He freezes mid-step, his head snapping around to meet my gaze. His surprise is obvious for a split second before he masks it with a tight smile. “Derek,” he says, his tone casual, but his eyes are calculating. “Didn’t see you there.”

“I’m sure you didn’t.” My voice is flat, my gaze unyielding.

Behind him, Olivia turns, her light brown eyes locking onto mine. For a moment, the world narrows to just her—her soft freckles, the way her lips part slightly in surprise, the way her presence pulls at something primal and undeniable inside me. My wolf surges forward, desperate to close the distance, to claim what’s his.

But then Ben shifts, stepping closer to her, and the moment shatters.

“Funny how you’re always around when Olivia is,” Ben says, his tone light but laced with something darker.

My wolf bristles, and I take a step closer, towering over him. “Funny how you’re always where you shouldn’t be.”

Ben’s mask slips for a fraction of a second, his jaw tightening. But then he glances at Olivia, his expression softening. “Just looking out for her,” he says, his voice dripping with feigned warmth. “You know, with all the... strangers around.”

Maya snorts, crossing her arms. “Oh, don’t mind me. I’ll just be over here, being one of those ‘strangers.’”

Olivia frowns, glancing between us. “Seriously, what is going on?”

I keep my eyes on Ben, my voice calm but firm. “Just making sure everything’s okay.”

Ben scoffs, his bravado faltering under my stare. “Yeah, well, everything’s fine. Thanks for your concern, Derek.”

His sarcasm is thin, but I don’t miss the flicker of fear in his eyes. He knows. He knows I’m onto him.

“Good,” I say, stepping closer until I’m inches from him. “Because if it wasn’t, you’d have a problem.”

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