Page 10 of Falling for My Shifter Guardian (Wild & Forbidden Mates #5)

Derek

The first thing I register is the steady rhythm of her breathing. It’s soft but unmistakable, and it sends a sort of calm through me that I haven’t felt in years. Before my eyes even open, the scent of her fills the room—wildflowers and honey, tinged faintly with lavender shampoo. Olivia.

I crack my eyes open slowly, the faint morning light leaking through the curtains casting her in a warm, golden glow. She’s curled up in the armchair near my bed, her legs tucked beneath her, her face turned slightly toward me. Her auburn hair, loose from the braid she usually wears, spills in soft waves over her shoulder, framing her face like she’s stepped right out of one of my dreams. Her arms are wrapped around herself, as if even in sleep, she’s trying to shield something fragile.

My wolf stirs at the sight of her, at the mere fact of her presence here. A low, protective hum thrums in my chest, blending with the ache that lingers in my shoulders and ribs. My body’s healing fast, thanks to the forced shifts—the pain dull, manageable—but the real ache has nothing to do with my injuries and everything to do with the woman sitting no more than three feet away.

I let my eyes linger on her, taking in the steady rise and fall of her chest, the slight furrow in her brow that still lingers even in rest. How many nights has she spent worrying because of me? How many times have I been the reason she’s tried to carry a burden far heavier than she should ever have to bear? Seeing her like this stirs something in me, something I’ve kept locked away for far too long.

The truth slams into me like a brutal punch. There’s no going back. No more excuses. No more distance. She deserves better than a man who will hide, who will protect her from ten feet away because he’s too much of a coward to face what’s in front of him. I've been a fool, wasting years pushing her away thinking it was for her safety, when all it’s done is hurt her—and me.

She stirs slightly, her fingers brushing the soft fabric of the chair as her eyes flutter open. For a moment, her gaze is unfocused, bleary from sleep. Then, she sees me, and everything changes.

“Derek!” Her voice is soft but urgent, and before I can even speak, she rushes to my side, her bare feet whispering against the floor. Her hair falls across her face as she leans down, her hands hovering over me like she’s afraid I might shatter under her touch.

“You’re awake,” she breathes, relief flooding her voice. “How are you feeling? Does it still hurt? Do you need anything?”

Her questions come in a rush, but I can hear the tremor beneath them, the worry she’s trying so hard to mask. I reach for her hand, wrapping my fingers gently around her wrist to still her frantic movements. Her skin is soft and impossibly warm against mine. She freezes, her gaze darting to our joined hands.

“I’m fine, Olivia,” I say, my voice coming out steadier than I expect. Still, I feel the weight of those words—the unspoken truth underneath them. I’m fine because of you.

Her lips press into a thin line, the fierce determination in her light brown eyes making me want to smile despite everything. “Fine, huh?” she says, arching an eyebrow. “You nearly bled out in the middle of Whispering Pines, and now you’re lying here telling me you’re fine?”

Her voice is low but filled with a tension I can’t quite pinpoint. Anger? Concern? Guilt? Maybe all three. But I don’t miss the way her breathing hitches slightly, or the way her thumb unconsciously moves across the back of my hand in a soothing circle.

“They’re just scratches,” I tease lightly, hoping to ease some of the weight sitting heavy between us. “I’ve had worse.”

The corner of her mouth twitches as if she’s fighting back a smile, but she doesn’t let me off that easily. Her eyes narrow, and she crosses her arms over her chest. “Scratches?” she echoes. “I’m sorry, did you miss the part where Ben tried to—”

Her words cut off abruptly, her eyes clouding with something darker. Fury and sadness swirl together, casting a shadow over her features. My chest tightens at the mention of Ben, the weight of my failure pressing down on me all over again. I should’ve seen it sooner—his betrayal, the danger he posed. I should've kept her away from him.

I sit up slowly, ignoring the warning ache in my ribs, and reach for her hand again. She doesn’t pull away this time. “Olivia,” I say, my voice soft but firm. “You’re safe now. That’s all that matters.”

She shakes her head, her hair falling into her eyes. “You keep saying that—like your safety doesn’t matter. Like you didn’t nearly die for me.” Her voice cracks, and the sound slices right through me. “Do you even realize what it’s like to watch you get hurt over and over again, just to keep me safe? Like I’m some helpless—”

“You’re not helpless,” I interrupt, my tone sharper than I intend. I take a steadying breath, keeping my wolf in check as it claws at me to close the distance between us. “You’ve never been helpless, Olivia. Don’t ever think that.”

Her lips tremble slightly, but she lifts her chin, meeting my gaze with the kind of fierce resilience that has always left me in awe of her. “Then why do you keep acting like you have to carry everything alone?” she demands.

Something inside me breaks. Maybe it’s the exhaustion, the years of guilt and longing wearing me down. Or maybe it’s the way she’s looking at me now—with hope and fear tangled together in her eyes, like she wants to believe in me but she’s afraid I’ll let her down again.

“I’ve known since the day I met you,” I begin, my voice raw, unsteady. “Since the moment you walked into the room at eighteen, I knew. You’re my mate, Olivia. The one person in this world I’m bound to—body, soul, all of it. It’s not just a feeling; it’s... it’s a connection, deeper than anything I can explain.”

Her eyes widen, her breath catching slightly, but she doesn’t pull away. “That's what you said... that I'm your mate?” she repeats, her voice barely above a whisper.

I nod, swallowing hard. “It’s why I’ve stayed close, why I’ve always been there. Not just because of your father, or the promise I made to him. But because you’re mine, Olivia. Mine.”

The word lingers between us, heavy and unyielding. But it’s the truth, and I won’t take it back. Not now.

She stares at me for a long moment, her expression unreadable. Then, to my surprise, she reaches up and cups my face in her hands. Her touch is soft, steady, but it sets my entire body alight. “You should’ve told me,” she says, her voice breaking slightly. “I don’t understand all of this yet, but what I do know is that I’ve felt this connection, too. For a long time. And I’m not afraid of it, Derek. I’m not afraid of you.”

Her words undo me. Before I can stop myself, I’m pulling her toward me, my hand tangling in her hair as I kiss her. It’s slow at first, a tentative meeting of lips that quickly deepens into something raw and consuming. Years of restraint, of holding back what I’ve wanted more than anything, crumble in an instant.

She lets out a soft moan, but I can feel her hesitation, the slight tense of her body as she pulls back, her cheeks flushed a delicate pink.

“Do you want this?” I ask, my voice low and weighted with emotion as I search her eyes. “Do you want me ? Do you want to be my mate, officially?”

Her lips part in a silent breath before she nods, a soft, “Yes,” slipping from her mouth. The simplicity of her answer sets my pulse racing, and I can feel the mate bond stirring between us already, pulling us closer, stronger than ever.

“You know what this means,” I murmur, brushing a strand of hair from her face. My thumb lingers against her cheek as her breath hitches. “It means I’ll take you as mine… mark you as mine. I’ll bite you.” My words come out husky, filled with the weight of centuries of instinct. Yet, her cheeks deepen into a richer pink, and her lips curve slightly, like she likes the thought of it—like she relishes the idea of belonging to me as deeply as I already belong to her.

“I want it,” she whispers, her voice unwavering, but I catch the flicker of worry in her gaze. “But… are you sure about your injuries? Last night, you—”

I silence her with a gentle kiss, pouring everything I feel into the press of my lips against hers. When I pull back, my voice is thick with conviction. “The pain of not having you is worse than anything else, Olivia. I can endure anything, as long as I have you.”

Before she can protest further, I gently pull her onto the bed with me, my larger frame enveloping hers. A low growl escapes my throat as the mate bond flares to life between us, a tangible force that pulses with each beat of our hearts. She fits perfectly in my arms, her curves melding to my body as if she were made for me. And she was. She is mine, and I am hers.

Our kiss reignites, deeper and more passionate than before. I can feel her surrender, her body melting into mine as I explore every inch of her with my mouth and hands. She tastes like heaven, her scent driving me wild, awakening the primal instincts of my wolf. But I hold back, determined to bring her pleasure before claiming her as my own.

“You’re so beautiful,” I murmur against her skin, trailing kisses down her neck, her collarbone, lingering at the swell of her breasts. She arches into my touch, a soft moan escaping her lips as I unbutton her shirt, revealing more of her to my hungry gaze.

I take my time undressing her, worshipping each inch of her skin as it’s exposed. She watches me with wide eyes, her breath coming in shallow gasps as I kiss every curve, every line of her body. When I reach her toes, I can feel her trembling, her body coiled tight with anticipation.

Slowly, I make my way back up her legs, my hands trailing lightly against her soft skin. She shivers as I kiss the inside of her thighs, her hips lifting slightly off the bed as she seeks more. I can smell her arousal, the sweet scent of her desire filling the air, and it takes every ounce of my control not to take her right then.

But I want to taste her first. I want to feel her fall apart under my touch, my tongue. I want to bring her to the edge and push her over, again and again.

When I reach her core, she lets out a soft cry, her fingers gripping the sheets tightly. I explore her with my tongue, learning her body, her responses. She’s hot and wet and tastes like pure sensation, and I can’t get enough. I tease her, bringing her close to the edge before backing off, only to start again.

“Derek, please,” she begs, her voice hoarse with need. “Please, I can’t—”

I don’t make her wait any longer. I focus on her sensitive nub, my tongue lashing against it as I slide a finger inside her, curling it gently. She comes apart instantly, her body convulsing as she cries out my name. I don’t stop; I keep tasting her, keep touching her, prolonging her pleasure until she’s cresting again, her second orgasm ripping through her with such force that her whole body shakes.

Only then do I slow down, easing her through the aftershocks with gentle touches and soft kisses. I look up at her, taking in her flushed cheeks, her glazed eyes, the smile tugging at her lips. She looks thoroughly pleasured, thoroughly mine.

“That was...” she trails off, her voice breathy. “I’ve never felt anything like that before.”

I smile, pressing a kiss to her inner thigh. “Good,” I growl softly. “Because that was just the beginning, Olivia. I promise you, there’s so much more to come.”

And as I make my way back up her body, my wolf growls, ready to finally claim our mate in every way possible.

I reach down to remove my boxers, my erection straining painfully against the fabric. My cock feels like it's about to burst, the anticipation of finally being with Olivia nearly driving me over the edge. I'm so hard it hurts, every nerve ending in my body screaming for release.

But Olivia has other plans. She pushes me gently, her hands firm against my chest, and I find myself laying on my back, her body poised above mine. Her eyes are filled with a mixture of desire and determination, and I know better than to argue with the woman who's about to become my mate.

"I want to taste you too, Derek," she says, her voice a sultry whisper that sends a jolt of electricity straight to my groin.

I nod, my voice hoarse with need. "Do anything you want to me, Olivia. I'm yours."

She kisses her way down my chest, her lips soft and teasing, each kiss a spark that ignites the fire within me. I watch her, my hands fisting the sheets as she moves lower, her tongue tracing the line of hair that leads to where I want her most.

When she reaches my cock, her fingers wrap around the base, and I nearly lift off the bed. The feel of her mouth on me is indescribable—her warm, wet tongue swirling around the tip, her lips sliding down my shaft, taking me deeper with each stroke.

I can't hold back the growls of pleasure that escape my throat, the primal sounds filling the room as she sucks and licks me with an enthusiasm that's both maddening and thrilling. I'm losing myself in the sensation, the world narrowing to the point where her mouth meets my skin.

But I can't let this be the end. I need to be inside her, to feel her tight walls around me. I reach down, pulling her up to straddle me, my cock slipping free from the sweet confines of her mouth with a wet pop.

"Ride me, Olivia," I command, my voice a gravelly whisper.

She positions herself above me, her hand guiding me to her entrance. I watch, transfixed, as she slowly lowers herself onto my cock. She's so tight, so wet, that it takes all my self-control not to thrust up into her.

She looks so beautiful in this moment, with her hair falling forward in a cascade of waves that frame her flushed face. Her lush body is a vision of desire, curves highlighted by the soft light, every movement an expression of sensual grace.

Her breath hitches as she takes me fully, her eyes wide with a mixture of surprise and pleasure. I can feel her stretching to accommodate me, her inner walls clutching me like a velvet fist.

My hands find her hips, helping her to move, to find a rhythm that soon has us both gasping for air. She rides me with abandon, her movements growing more frantic as she chases her release.

I feel her orgasm building, her muscles tightening around me. "Come for me, Olivia," I urge her on, and with a cry, she does, her body shuddering as waves of pleasure wash over her.

I can't hold back any longer. With a growl, I flip her onto her back, my body covering hers as I drive into her with a fierce intensity. Our bodies move together, each thrust bringing us closer to the ultimate moment of bonding.

Her nails dig into my back, her breaths coming in short gasps as I feel my own release approaching. My mouth finds the soft skin of her neck, my teeth aching with the need to mark her, to claim her as mine.

"Derek!" she cries out, her body arching beneath me as she finds her release once more.

That's when I completely lose control. With one final thrust, I explode inside her, my body shaking with the force of my orgasm. At the same time, I bite down on her neck, the coppery taste of her blood mingling with the overwhelming sensation of our souls binding together.

The mate bond snaps into place, a connection so profound and intense that it's like nothing I've ever felt before. I can feel Olivia's emotions, her love and desire for me, as strong as my own.

We lie there in the aftermath, our bodies slick with sweat, our hearts beating in sync.

I hold her close, her warmth anchoring me in a way I never thought possible. Her head rests against my chest, and I feel her breath, steady and soft, syncing with the beat of my heart. My wolf, restless and raging for so long, is finally calm. I press my lips to her temple.

The room is silent except for the steady rhythm of our breathing and the faint creak of the bed as Olivia shifts slightly, her leg entangling with mine. I let my hand run gently down her back, tracing the curve of her spine, memorizing every inch of her. She sighs, nuzzling closer, and I can’t help the small smile that tugs at the corner of my lips. For the first time in years, the weight I’ve carried feels lighter. The barriers I’ve built, the walls I’ve fought so hard to keep between us—they’ve all crumbled. And I don’t regret a single piece of it.

“I still don’t understand all of this,” she murmurs, her voice muffled against my chest. There’s no fear in her words, just quiet curiosity. “But I feel it, Derek. I’ve felt it for so long. This pull, like you’ve always been... there. Wherever I’ve been, you’ve been, too.”

Her words hit me like a strike to the heart—a soft, gentle blow that reverberates with meaning. She’s felt it. All these years, she’s felt what I’ve ignored, denied, tried to bury. Guilt rears its head, but it’s tempered by the profound relief of hearing her say it, of knowing I haven’t been alone in this.

I tilt her chin up gently so she’s looking at me. Her light brown eyes search mine, and I see everything I’ve ever wanted in that gaze. Strength. Trust. Love. My hand cups her face, my thumb brushing against the freckles on her cheek. “It’s because you’re my mate,” I tell her, my voice low and rough. “It’s always been you, Olivia. From the first moment, it’s been you.”

A smile ghosts across her lips, small but genuine, and it lights up her entire face. Her fingers trace the line of my jaw, her touch feather-light but reverent. She tilts her head, her hair cascading around her in auburn waves. “And you’ve always been mine, haven’t you?” she whispers.

The simple truth in her words steals my breath. I nod, unable to speak for a moment. “Always.”