Page 5 of Falling for My Shifter Guardian

He steps closer, his movements unhurried but deliberate. “What are you doing out here?”

I gesture to the camera resting on the stump. “Taking pictures. Trying to, anyway.”

His gaze flicks to the camera, then back to me. “You’re good at it,” he says, and there’s a sincerity in his voice that catches me off guard.

“You’ve seen my pictures?” I ask, surprised.

He nods once. “The ones you’ve posted online. They’re… thoughtful. You see things other people don’t.”

The compliment warms me in a way I didn’t expect, but it also makes me feel exposed, like he’s been watching me more closely than I realized. “Thanks,” I say softly, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. “It’s just a hobby, really. Something to keep me sane.”

Derek’s eyes linger on mine, steady and unflinching. “Why photography?”

I hesitate, unsure how much to share. But there’s something about the way he’s looking at me—like he genuinely wants to know—that makes me want to answer. “It started after my dad died,” I admit, my voice quieter now. “I needed something to focus on, something that wasn’t… everything else. And I guess it just stuck. It helps me see the world differently, you know? Like, even when everything feels chaotic, there’s still beauty if you look hard enough.”

His expression softens in a way I’ve never seen before. For a moment, the weight he always carries seems to lighten. “Your dad would’ve been proud of you,” he says, his voice low and certain.

The words hit me harder than I expect. “You really think so?”

“I know so,” he says, and there’s no hesitation in his tone. “He talked about you all the time. Said you were his greatest pride.”

My throat tightens, and I have to look away, blinking back the sting of tears. “I miss him,” I whisper. “Every day.”

Derek nods, his gaze distant for a moment. “I miss him too. He… saved my life once. More than once.”

I look up at him, surprised. “He never told me that.”

“He wouldn’t have,” Derek says, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “That wasn’t his style. But he was a hero, Olivia. To me, and to everyone who served with him.”

The bittersweet ache in my chest deepens. Hearing Derek talk about my dad like this—it’s comforting, but it also reminds me of everything I’ve lost.

The moment stretches, heavy and fragile, until my phone buzzes again. I flinch, breaking the spell.

I pull it out, already knowing it’s Ben.

Why are you ignoring me?

I groan, shoving the phone back into my pocket.

Derek’s eyes narrow. “Everything okay?”

“It’s Ben,” I say, trying to sound casual. “He’s just… being Ben.”

Derek’s expression darkens, his posture shifting slightly. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

I shrug, avoiding his gaze. “He’s been a little… intense lately. It’s nothing.”

“It doesn’t sound like nothing.”

There’s a hard edge to his voice, one that sends a shiver down my spine.

I sigh, leaning back against the bench. “He’s just been… controlling, I guess. But it’s fine. I can handle it.”

Derek’s jaw tightens, and his hands clench into fists on his thighs. “You don’t have to put up with that,” he says, his voice low and firm. “You don’t owe anyone your time or your patience, especially if they’re making you feel small.”

His words hit something deep inside me, something I didn’t even realize was there. For a moment, I can’t speak. All I can do is stare at him, wondering how someone who barely talks can say exactly what I need to hear.

“Thanks,” I manage finally, my voice soft.

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