Page 26 of Falling for My Shifter Guardian

The question hangs in the air between us, heavy and fragile. His jaw tightens, and for a moment, I think he won’t answer. But then his grip on my hand tightens, his eyes softening in a way I’ve never seen before.

“Because you’re mine,” he says, the words barely more than a whisper.

The world tilts. I freeze, my breath catching in my throat as his words sink in. “What... what do you mean?”

He exhales shakily, his head leaning back against the cold asphalt. “I’ve been fighting it for years, Olivia. Fighting what Ifeel. Fightingthis.” His free hand gestures weakly between us. “But I can’t anymore. Not when I almost lost you tonight.”

My pulse pounds in my ears, my thoughts a chaotic mess. “Fighting what?” I whisper, my voice barely audible. “Derek, just tell me.”

His eyes meet mine again, and for the first time, I see something raw and unguarded in them. Vulnerability.

“You’re my mate,” he says, his voice breaking like a dam. “My fated mate.”

Mate.

The word echoes in my mind, unfamiliar and yet... not. Pieces of the puzzle start snapping together—the way he’s always been there, watching over me, protecting me, even when I didn’t know I needed it. The way my heart feels like it’s tethered to his, even when he tries to push me away.

“I don’t understand,” I whisper, my hands still trembling against his wound.

“It’s a shifter thing,” he says, his voice growing weaker. “A bond... deeper than anything you can imagine. From the moment I met you, Iknew. But you were so young, and I...” He swallows hard, his jaw clenching. “I swore to your father I’d protect you. That’s all I’ve ever tried to do. Protect you. Even from me.”

My father. Derek’s best friend. The man who trusted him with my life.

“You’ve been... fighting this? Fightingus?” My chest feels too tight, my emotions a tangled mess of confusion, anger, and something else—something that feels dangerously like hope. “Why?”

“Because you deserve more,” he says, his voice breaking. “More than a life filled with danger. More than someone like me.”

Tears blur my vision as his words sink in. He’s been carrying this—this bond, this love—for years, all while protecting me from things I didn’t even know existed. And he’s been doing it alone.

“Derek,” I whisper, leaning closer until my forehead brushes his. “You’ve been fighting for me all this time. Now it’s my turn to fight for you.”

His breath hitches, and for a moment, I think he might argue. But then his eyes close, and he exhales a shaky, almost relieved breath. “Olivia...”

Before he can say anything else, the sound of approaching footsteps pulls my attention. I glance up to see Theo and Ethan charging toward us, their faces grim but determined. Behind them, the rest of the Howling Pines pack is finishing off the last of the hunters, their victory clear but hard-won.

Theo kneels beside us, his sharp gaze flicking between Derek and me. “How bad is it?”

“He’s lost a lot of blood,” I say, my voice steadier now, though my hands are still shaking. “We need to get him out of here.”

Theo nods, his expression unreadable. “Ethan, help me get him up.”

As they move to lift Derek, he lets out a low growl of protest. “I can walk,” he mutters, though his pale face and trembling limbs say otherwise.

“Shut up, Derek,” Theo snaps, his tone gruff but laced with concern. “You’re not proving anything by being stubborn.”

Derek doesn’t argue, which tells me just how bad it is. As Theo and Ethan haul him to his feet, I stay close, one hand on his arm to steady him. He leans into me more than I expect, his weight a reminder of just how vulnerable he is right now.

“I’m not leaving your sight,” I tell him firmly, my voice leaving no room for argument. “Not now. Not ever.”

Derek’s lips twitch into the faintest smile, and he murmurs, “Bossy.”

But this time, there’s no teasing in his tone—only a quiet, unspoken gratitude.

As we make our way toward the waiting cars, the reality of what’s just happened begins to settle over me. The hunters are still out there, the packs are still in danger, and Derek’s wounds are far from healed.

But for the first time, I don’t feel powerless.

Because now I know the truth.

---