Page 19 of Falling for My Shifter Guardian

The way she tasted.

It was everything I imagined it would be. And more.

And that’s the problem.

I’ve spent three years keeping my distance, convincing myself that the bond didn’t matter. That I could ignore it. That I could protect Olivia without giving in to the primal pull that’s been clawing at me since the moment I met her.

But last night shattered all of that.

It started with a kiss. But it was so much more. It was a crack in the dam, a flood I can’t hold back. My wolf is relentless now, howling for her, demanding more. Another kiss. Another touch.Everything.

And I want it too.

God help me, I want it more than I’ve ever wanted anything.

But it’s wrong.

She’s the daughter of my best friend. The man I swore to protect her for.

I made a promise.

And I broke it last night.

**

The diner parking lot smells like asphalt and grease, the faint tang of fried food hanging in the air. It’s quiet, the late afternoonsun stretching shadows long across the cracked pavement. My truck idles for a moment before I cut the engine.

I sit there, gripping the steering wheel, every muscle in my body coiled tight. I’ve been telling myself for days that I’m here because it’s necessary. Because Olivia needs to understand the danger she’s in. But deep down, I know it’s a lie.

I’m here because I can’t stay away.

Through the windshield, my eyes find her, moving through the back door of the diner. She’s balancing a tray of empty glasses on her hip, the late sunlight catching in her auburn hair. She looks... radiant. Strong. Alive.

Her scent drifts to me, even from this distance—soft and warm, with that faint hint of lavender that always makes my wolf stir. He rumbles low in my chest, restless, and I clench my fists, trying to shove him back down.

Mine.

The word claws its way to the surface, sharp and insistent, and I hate how much it tempts me. How muchshetempts me.

I step out of the truck, the slam of the door echoing across the lot. Her head lifts at the sound, her light brown eyes locking onto mine. She freezes, confusion flickering across her face before she sets the tray down and crosses her arms.

“Derek?” she calls, her voice carrying just enough surprise to make my chest tighten. “What are you doing here?”

I take a breath, shoving my hands into my pockets to keep them from betraying me. “We need to talk.”

Her gaze narrows, and I can see the resistance building in her eyes, like storm clouds gathering on the horizon.

“About what?” she asks, taking a step closer.

“About you needing to stay away from the pack,” I say, my voice low and even. “It’s not safe.”

The words land like a stone between us. For a second, she just stares at me, her expression unreadable. Then her jaw tightens, and I know I’ve stepped on a landmine.

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” she snaps. Her hands find her hips, her posture defiant. “You can’t just show up out of nowhere and tell me to avoid people without explaining why.”

“It’s not a suggestion, Olivia,” I say, my tone sharpening despite myself. “The hunters are closing in. Being around shifters—being around me—puts a target on your back.”

Her eyes flare, anger sparking to life. “And whose fault is that?” she fires back, stepping closer. “You’re the one who’s always around, always watching me like…”

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