Page 4 of Falling for My Shifter Guardian

Moving silently through the shadows, I approached her apartment. Her scent grew stronger, wrapping around me—a mixture of comfort and torment that sank into my chest and refused to let go. Through the living room window, I saw her. She was sitting on the couch, laughing at something Ben had just said. The sound of her laughter should have soothed the tension knotting in my chest, but it only sharpened it. My gaze locked on the way his hand lingered on her wrist, his grip just a fraction too tight, his smile not quite reaching his eyes.

Was Ben crossing a line, or was I just too sensitive when it came to Olivia? I didn’t know. But my wolf didn’t care.

A growl rumbled low in my throat, vibrating through me like distant thunder. I took a step forward, the gravel beneath my feet crunching softly. Every instinct screamed for me to act—to shove him away from her, to tear his hand from hers and remind him exactly who she belonged to. My wolf’s possessiveness burned hot and fierce, clawing at the edges of my control. But I couldn’t. Not without revealing too much—about the mate bond, about the danger she was in, about who and what I really was.

So I stayed rooted in place, the restless energy surging through me as I watched. Olivia’s laughter faded, her smile faltering for a split second as Ben leaned closer, his words too low for me to hear. Her hand shifted away from his, subtle but deliberate, her body leaning slightly out of his reach.

It was such a small movement, but it was enough. Enough to make my wolf bristle, his fury scraping against my restraint. Enough to leave me standing there, tense and torn, battling the primal urge to protect her from something I still wasn’t sure was a threat—or just my own obsession.

When Ben finally left, I stayed in the shadows, watching as Olivia locked the door behind him. She leaned against it for a moment, her shoulders slumping as if the weight of the day had finally caught up to her. Then she turned off the lights and headed upstairs, leaving the house quiet and still.

Her father’s dying request echoed in my mind, the promise I had made to watch over her. It was both a blessing and a curse. I owed him everything—my life, my loyalty, my respect. And yet, every time I saw her, it felt like I was betraying him. I wanted her so much it hurt, and that want made me feel like I was dishonoring the man who had trusted me with his most precious treasure. She wasn’t mine to desire, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t stop.

I went back to the park and shifted back into my human form, the cool night air biting against my skin as I pulled on my clothes. As I turned to leave, I glanced back at her house one last time and whispered under my breath, “You deserve better, Olivia.”

The words were carried away by the wind, unheard by anyone but me. But they lingered, heavy and unspoken, as I got into my truck and drove into the night.

Chapter 3

Olivia

The camera feels steady in my hands. Whispering Pines Park is quiet today, just the way I like it. The sunlight filters through the canopy of trees, casting dappled shadows over the forest floor. Everything here feels untouched, serene. A refuge.

I crouch by the creek, adjusting the settings on my camera to capture the way the light glints off the moss-covered rocks. Photography has become my escape, my way of finding beauty in a world that hasn’t always been kind. After Dad died, it was the only thing that made sense—a way to focus, to slow down, to look for something good in the chaos.

But today, even with the peaceful hum of the park around me, my thoughts keep drifting. No matter how many pictures I take, I can’t stop thinking about Derek.

He’s always been this quiet, looming presence in my life, like a shadow I can’t quite shake. For years, he was just my dad’s friend, the guy who showed up at the funeral with the weight of the world etched into his face. But now… now, I don’t know. Something’s different. Or maybe I’m different.

The way he looks at me sometimes—it’s like he’s holding back, like there’s something he doesn’t want me to see. And last night,when he gave me a ride home, the way his eyes lingered on me—it felt… intense.

Maybe I’m imagining it. Derek Mercer doesn’t do feelings. He’s all stoic glares and clipped words, a fortress with the drawbridge permanently up. Whatever I think I saw, it’s probably just my imagination.

The sharp buzz of my phone snaps me out of my thoughts. I sigh, setting the camera down on a tree stump before pulling the phone from my pocket. It’s Ben. Again.

Where are you?

Why didn’t you tell me you were going to the park?

I could’ve come with you.

I stare at the messages, my jaw tightening. Lately, it feels like Ben always needs to know where I am, what I’m doing, who I’m with. At first, I thought it was just him being protective—he’s always been that way. But now, it’s starting to feel like something else. Something heavier.

I shove the phone back into my pocket without replying.

The sound of footsteps crunching on the gravel path behind me makes me tense. For a moment, I think it’s Ben, come to find me after I ignored his texts.

But it’s not.

It’s Derek.

He’s dressed casually—dark jeans and a gray Henley that stretches over his broad shoulders, the sleeves pushed up to his elbows. His salt-and-pepper hair is slightly tousled, like he hasn’t bothered to tame it today, and his steel-gray eyes lock onto mine the moment our gazes meet. He looks out of placehere, too solid and imposing for the park’s tranquility. But at the same time, he belongs. He always seems to belong, no matter where he is.

“I didn’t expect to see you here,” I say, my voice steadier than I feel.

His lips twitch, almost like he’s about to smile but thinks better of it. “I was passing through. Thought I’d take a walk.”

I raise an eyebrow. Whispering Pines Park isn’t exactly a hotspot for casual strolls, but I don’t press him. “Well, you found me. Congratulations.”

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