Page 3 of Falling for My Shifter Guardian

Does that mean I matter?

Chapter 2

Derek

I drive away from Olivia’s complex, gripping the steering wheel so tightly my knuckles ache. Her silhouette lingers in my mind, framed by the soft glow of the porch light as she turned to watch me leave. Her auburn hair caught the light just so, gleaming like fire, and I had to force myself to look away.

I shouldn’t have offered her a ride. I shouldn’t have been waiting outside the diner in the first place. But the thought of her walking home alone, vulnerable in the dark, was too much. It’s always too much when it comes to her

The Howling Pines Pack house loomed ahead, its industrial frame softened by the warm light spilling from the tall windows. What was once a cold, utilitarian warehouse had been transformed into a sanctuary for the pack—a place of strength and unity. The lower floors housed Theo’s security business, while the upper levels were dedicated to pack gatherings and private quarters. It was functional, modern, and unyielding, much like Theo himself.

I pulled my truck into the lot, the rumble of the engine fading into the stillness of the night. The familiar scent of cedar and faint traces of packmates’ scents drifted through the air, grounding me momentarily. But the tension in my shouldersrefused to ease. If anything, it had only gotten worse since I left Olivia’s house.

By the time I stepped through the main doors, Theo was already waiting for me in the central hall. The space, with its mix of industrial roots and personal touches, radiated warmth—rugs softened the polished concrete floors, and leather couches were arranged to foster conversation. But tonight, the arrangement felt more like an arena for confrontation.

Theo, Alpha of the Howling Pines Pack—and my alpha—stood with his arms crossed, his auburn hair catching the glow of the overhead lighting. His presence was commanding, his dark eyes sharp and unyielding, carrying the weight of his authority.

Beside him, Ryan, the Alpha of the Whispering Pines Pack, leaned casually against the back of a couch. His posture was relaxed, but the watchfulness in his green eyes betrayed his vigilance. To see Ryan here, in our pack’s space, was still an unusual sight. The two packs had only recently begun working together after years of mistrust, and while progress had been made, the alliance still felt tenuous to me. A part of me wasn’t used to seeing him in this setting—like he didn’t quite belong, even though I knew his presence was necessary.

“Late again,” Theo said, his voice gruff, though his tone carried more disappointment than true anger.

“Had something to handle,” I replied evenly, meeting his gaze.

Theo snorted, the sound almost derisive. “Let me guess—‘something’ involves a certain human living on the edge of town?”

I clenched my jaw but didn’t rise to the bait. Theo had been vocal about his disapproval of my connection to Olivia, even as her guardian, and he wasn’t wrong to question my priorities. But hedidn’t know the whole truth—not about her, not about the bond, and certainly not about the constant war raging within me. And I planned to keep it that way.

Ryan stepped in before Theo could push further. “We need to focus,” he said, his voice calm but firm. “The hunters are getting bolder. Marcus spotted unfamiliar vehicles near the northern ridge this afternoon. They’re scouting us, testing boundaries.”

“They’ve done more than scout,” Theo added, his jaw tightening. “They’re looking for weaknesses. It’s only a matter of time before they make their move.”

I nodded, the weight of their words settling heavily on my shoulders.

“We need to increase patrols,” I said, my voice low but steady. “If they’re scouting, they’ll be looking for entry points. We can’t give them any.”

Ryan nodded in agreement, his expression thoughtful. “Agreed. We’ll need to coordinate efforts between the packs. The northern ridge is too close to Whispering Pines—if they breach it, they’ll be on us both.”

“You’ve been spending a lot of time in Whispering Pines lately,” Theo said, his tone calm but firm as his sharp gaze locked on me. His arms were crossed, an Alpha’s authority radiating from his stance. “Are you sure you’re not letting personal matters distract you from your responsibilities?”

The words landed harder than I wanted to admit, but I didn’t flinch. “My judgment is fine,” I replied evenly, keeping my voice steady. “Olivia—”

“Is not pack,” Theo interrupted, though his voice lacked the edge it once might have held. “She’s human, Derek. That doesn’tmake her any less valuable. But right now, with the hunters becoming more aggressive, we can’t afford any distractions—not for you as Beta, and not for me as Alpha.”

A low growl rumbled in my chest before I could stop it, my wolf bristling at the perceived challenge. Theo’s expression hardened slightly, his stance shifting as if ready to hold his ground, but he didn’t press further. Before the tension could build, Ryan stepped forward, his measured tone cutting through the charged air.

“Enough,” Ryan said, his voice calm but commanding. “We’re all on the same side here. The hunters are the real threat, not this.” He glanced at Theo, then at me, his tone brokering no argument.

The tension in the room eased slightly, though Theo’s glare didn’t soften. I forced myself to take a deep breath, shoving my wolf back down. He wasn’t wrong, as much as I hated admitting it. My priority should be the pack, not Olivia. But the thought of leaving her vulnerable made my stomach twist.

The meeting continued with plans to increase patrols and set traps along the northern ridge, measures that would buy us time but not solve the problem. When it wrapped up, I volunteered to take the first watch. I needed the distraction, something to keep my mind off Olivia and the gnawing pull of the mate bond that I couldn’t seem to shake.

And yet, as I left the pack house and climbed into my truck, I found myself steering toward her neighborhood. It wasn’t intentional—or at least, that’s what I told myself. But the truth was, I couldn’t resist the urge to check on her, to make sure she was safe.

It was a lie, and I knew it.

I parked in the shadowy lot of a park not far from her complex and stepped out, the cool night air brushing against my skin. I stripped off my clothes, folding them neatly and placing them on the bench by my car. The shift came quickly, my body changing as my senses sharpened.

In an instant, the world transformed—every sound became clearer, every scent more vivid. The tang of asphalt mixed with the earthy richness of the trees, but one scent stood out above the rest. Lavender, soft and familiar, intertwined with something uniquely Olivia. It ignited something primal within me, a pull I fought to keep at bay.

---