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

Derek

The outskirts of Whispering Pines are quieter than usual, the air heavy with the promise of rain. My boots crunch softly over the dirt path as I patrol the edge of town, the forest to my left, the faint bustle of the Farmer’s Market filtering through the trees on my right. My wolf prowls inside me, restless, his growls low and insistent, vibrating at the back of my mind. Something’s wrong. I can feel it deep in my bones—a sharp, gut-twisting certainty that danger is close.

I’m not the only one who’s felt it. Theo’s been on edge for weeks, ever since we caught wind of the hunters in the area. He’s assigned some of the pack’s most trusted members to take turns patrolling the town’s borders, watching for anything out of place.

I clench my fists, the weight of responsibility pressing heavy on my shoulders. The pack is counting on me—and on Theo—to keep them safe, and I won’t let them down. But the stakes feel higher now, sharper, because Olivia is here.

I pause, inhaling deeply. The air carries the familiar scents of the forest—damp pine, freshly churned earth—but beneath it, something sharper, fouler. It’s faint, but it’s enough to set every nerve in my body on edge.

And then I see him.

Ben Carter.

He’s leaning against a lamppost outside the Whispering Pines diner, phone in hand, his head tilted slightly as if lost in thought. But there’s nothing casual about him. His movements are too sharp, his focus too deliberate. Every muscle in my body coils tight as I watch him. He’s not scrolling aimlessly through social media. He’s observing. Documenting.

I step back into the shadows of the tree line, my breathing steady, my senses sharpened. My wolf stirs, restless, as I track his gaze. It shifts subtly, landing on a pair of people exiting the diner—a man and a woman, both laughing, both oblivious to the fact that Ben’s phone is now angled toward them. He taps the screen once. Twice. Taking photos.

Damn it.

My fists clench at my sides, the urge to confront him nearly overwhelming. But I force myself to wait, to watch. Ben’s actions are too calculated, too precise. This isn’t idle curiosity. He’s gathering information. The man he just photographed—I recognize him. Carl, a shifter from Whispering Pines Pack. The woman, I don’t know, but her scent carries the faint, earthy undertones of wolf. Ben’s targeting shifters.

And he knows exactly what he’s doing.

I shadow him as he pushes off the lamppost and starts walking, his movements casual but his gaze anything but. He scans the street, his attention flicking briefly to a young couple holding hands across the way. I catch the subtle shift in their posture—the man stepping slightly in front of the woman, his stance protective. Another pair of shifters. Ben raises his phone again.

Snap.

My jaw tightens, my teeth gritting against the growl threatening to escape. He’s building a catalog, a list. Targeting them like prey. My wolf paces, claws raking against the edges of my control, demanding action. But I hold back. Not yet.

Ben pauses near the entrance of the park, his fingers flying over his phone. He’s typing now—notes, most likely. His head lifts occasionally, scanning the area like he’s cataloging every face, every scent. I follow his line of sight and spot Marcus Blackwood, Ryan’s Beta, leaning against a tree, arms crossed. Marcus doesn’t notice Ben, but Ben sure as hell notices him. Another note. Another photo.

My muscles coil tighter, the need to act nearly unbearable. But then, from the corner of my eye, I see her.

Olivia.

She’s walking toward the park entrance, her auburn braid catching the late afternoon sunlight, her light brown eyes scanning the area like she’s looking for someone. Maya’s with her, talking animatedly, her dark curls bouncing as she gestures. Olivia smiles at her friend, but there’s a tension in her posture that stops me cold. She’s been on edge lately, and now, seeing her here—seeing her anywhere near Ben—makes a low, dangerous growl escape my throat.

Ben spots her before she sees him. His entire demeanor shifts—his shoulders relax, his posture becoming less rigid, more casual. But it’s a ruse. I see the sharpness in his eyes, the way his lips twitch with satisfaction. He shoves his phone into his pocket and steps toward her, his boyish grin sliding into place like a well-practiced mask.

“Olivia!” he calls, his voice warm, friendly. Too damn friendly.

She turns at the sound of his voice, her face lighting up with a smile that twists something deep inside me. “Ben! Hey.”

I step closer, keeping to the shadows, my heart pounding in my ears. Maya glances at him, her expression cautious, but Olivia doesn’t notice. She still sees him as the boy who helped her through her grief. She doesn’t see the predator he’s become.

“Wasn’t expecting to see you here,” Ben says, shoving his hands into his pockets. “What’re you two up to?”

“Just grabbing some air,” Olivia replies. “Maya needed a break from work, and I needed a break from... everything else.”

Her laugh is soft, but there’s a strain in it that makes my chest ache. Ben doesn’t seem to notice—or maybe he doesn’t care. His attention flicks briefly to Maya, then back to Olivia, his grin widening.

I step out of the shadows.

“Ben.” My voice is low, steady, carrying the weight of a command.

He freezes mid-step, his head snapping around to meet my gaze. His surprise is obvious for a split second before he masks it with a tight smile. “Derek,” he says, his tone casual, but his eyes are calculating. “Didn’t see you there.”

“I’m sure you didn’t.” My voice is flat, my gaze unyielding.

Behind him, Olivia turns, her light brown eyes locking onto mine. For a moment, the world narrows to just her—her soft freckles, the way her lips part slightly in surprise, the way her presence pulls at something primal and undeniable inside me. My wolf surges forward, desperate to close the distance, to claim what’s his.

But then Ben shifts, stepping closer to her, and the moment shatters.

“Funny how you’re always around when Olivia is,” Ben says, his tone light but laced with something darker.

My wolf bristles, and I take a step closer, towering over him. “Funny how you’re always where you shouldn’t be.”

Ben’s mask slips for a fraction of a second, his jaw tightening. But then he glances at Olivia, his expression softening. “Just looking out for her,” he says, his voice dripping with feigned warmth. “You know, with all the... strangers around.”

Maya snorts, crossing her arms. “Oh, don’t mind me. I’ll just be over here, being one of those ‘strangers.’”

Olivia frowns, glancing between us. “Seriously, what is going on?”

I keep my eyes on Ben, my voice calm but firm. “Just making sure everything’s okay.”

Ben scoffs, his bravado faltering under my stare. “Yeah, well, everything’s fine. Thanks for your concern, Derek.”

His sarcasm is thin, but I don’t miss the flicker of fear in his eyes. He knows. He knows I’m onto him.

“Good,” I say, stepping closer until I’m inches from him. “Because if it wasn’t, you’d have a problem.”

The warning is clear, and Ben’s face pales slightly. He holds my gaze for a moment longer before turning to Olivia, his voice softening. “I’ll catch you later, Liv.”

But Olivia doesn’t respond. Her eyes are still on me, searching for answers I can’t give her.

Ben stalks off, his shoulders stiff, his steps hurried. I watch him until he disappears into the crowd, my wolf still growling, my instincts screaming that the worst is yet to come.

Maya nudges Olivia with her elbow, a smirk playing on her lips. “Well, that was sufficiently awkward. You’ve got some real tension brewing over there. Care to explain?”

Olivia sighs, brushing a strand of auburn hair out of her face. “There’s nothing to explain. Ben’s just... Ben.” Her voice wavers slightly, and I catch it because I’m hyper-aware of everything about her—the way her hands fidget with her shopping bag, the way she avoids looking at me.

Maya doesn’t let up. “Uh-huh. And what about him?” She tilts her head toward me, her teasing grin widening. “Big, broody guardian angel following you around like a shadow. Don’t think I didn’t notice.”

Olivia’s cheeks flush, and my wolf perks up, pleased by the reaction even as I inwardly groan. Maya’s sharp. Too sharp. “Derek’s just looking out for me,” Olivia says quickly, her tone defensive. “Right, Derek?”

I force myself to keep my expression neutral, though my wolf rumbles with approval at being acknowledged. “That’s right,” I say, my voice low and steady. “Just here to make sure you’re safe.”

Maya raises an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. “Safe from what, exactly? The terrifying menace of overpriced honey and organic kale?” She laughs, and Olivia joins in, though it’s strained. I don’t.

“I have my reasons,” I say flatly, my eyes flicking toward the crowd where Ben disappeared. Maya’s laughter fades as she picks up on the edge in my tone.

“Okay, okay. I’ll stop prying,” Maya says, holding her hands up in mock surrender. “But seriously, Derek, you look like you’re about two seconds away from picking a fight with a zucchini. Relax.”

Relax. If only it were that simple.

The three of us continue through the market, but I stay close, my senses on high alert. Olivia and Maya chat as they browse stalls, Maya occasionally throwing little jabs my way. My wolf doesn’t mind the teasing; he’s too focused on Olivia, soaking in her presence like a balm to the tension thrumming through me. Every laugh, every smile she shares with Maya is a reminder of what I can’t have, and it’s both torture and solace.

Maya picks up a bouquet of wildflowers, holding it up to Olivia’s face. “What do you think? Too rustic for my apartment, or just the right amount of ‘I live in the woods, but I’m still chic’?”

Olivia laughs, a sound that makes something inside me ease, even if just for a moment. “Definitely chic. But you’ll have to fight me for them.”

“Uh, no way. You can’t just steal my flowers,” Maya retorts, laughing as she pulls the bouquet back.

I step closer without thinking, my eyes scanning the crowd again. Ben is gone, but that doesn’t mean other threats aren’t lurking. My wolf itches to track him down, to dig into whatever it is he’s hiding, but I can’t leave Olivia unguarded. Not now. Not ever.

After another thirty minutes of this—Maya teasing, Olivia smiling, and me following like a silent sentinel—we finally head toward the parking lot. Maya waves her bouquet as she heads to her car, calling over her shoulder, “See you later, Liv. And Derek, try not to scare off all the farmers next time, yeah?”

Olivia chuckles softly, shaking her head. Then she turns to me, her expression shifting from amused to exasperated. “Are you really going to follow me all the way home?”

I don’t answer. I just gesture toward her car, silently urging her to get in. Her light brown eyes narrow as she studies me, as if trying to decipher some hidden meaning I’m not ready to reveal.

“Unbelievable,” she mutters, but she climbs into her car.

I wait until she’s pulled out of the lot before getting into my truck and following her, keeping a careful distance. My wolf is restless, pacing inside me, snarling and clawing, his agitation mirroring the storm brewing in my chest. The memory of Ben’s hand on her arm burns in my mind, his grip too tight, his anger too sharp. My hands clench the steering wheel, the leather groaning under the pressure.

She was right; I am following her home. But it’s not just about Ben anymore. It’s about the hunters, the danger closing in, and the mate bond that refuses to let me look away.

It’s about her. It’s always been about her. And as much as I try to tell myself otherwise, I know I won’t stop until she’s safe—whether she wants my protection or not.

The promise I made to her father—to protect her, to keep her safe—repeats in my mind like a mantra. But it’s not just the promise binding me. It’s her. My mate.

She doesn’t know. She can’t know. And yet, my wolf howls for her, demanding I tear down every barrier I’ve carefully erected over the past three years. I can’t. Not when Ben’s scent reeks of something darker. Not when danger circles closer every day.

Olivia pulls into her apartment complex, parking in her usual spot. I stop my truck across the street, watching as she climbs out. Before I can stop myself, I’m out of the truck, my boots crunching against the gravel as I cross the street.

“Olivia.” Her name comes out rough, my voice heavier than I intended.

She freezes, spinning around to face me, her auburn hair whipping across her face. “So, you did follow me.”

She turns and unlocks her apartment door with an irritated sigh, stepping inside without inviting me in. She rolls her eyes but doesn’t close the door in my face, leaving it slightly ajar. I take it as an unspoken invitation—or maybe just her begrudging tolerance—and step inside, shutting the door behind me. The scent of vanilla and something distinctly hers fills the small space, making it harder to focus. My wolf presses against my control, restless.

She turns to face me, arms crossing over her chest, her keys still clutched tightly in one hand. "So, what's this all about?" she says, her tone laced with frustration.

“We need to talk about Ben,” I say, my voice coming out rougher than I’d planned.

Her eyes narrow, and for a second, I see more worry than anger in her expression. “No, we really don’t.” She drops her keys onto the small table near the door, her movements sharp and deliberate. “What we need to do is talk about you —about why you think it’s okay to follow me, to show up unannounced like this, and act like you care when you can’t even admit it.”

Her words hit hard, but it’s not the accusation that stings—it’s the truth beneath them. She steps closer, and I can see the tension in her shoulders, the way her fingers twitch like she’s trying to hold herself steady. “You can’t keep doing this, Derek. Showing up, warning me about Ben like he’s suddenly the bad guy, when he’s been my best friend for years. You think I don’t notice how you’re always watching me? How you’re always there, but never really there?” Her voice softens, wavering just slightly, and I can feel the weight of her frustration, her confusion.

“I’m trying to protect you,” I say, my voice low, vibrating with the effort to keep my wolf in check. “You don’t understand what’s happening—what’s at stake.”

“Then explain it to me!” she snaps, throwing her hands up. “Because right now, it feels like I’m standing in the middle of a battlefield I can’t even see, and you’re just adding to the chaos. If Ben’s such a danger, tell me why. If you care about me, really care about me, then stop hiding behind excuses and half-truths.”

Her words are a challenge, but there’s something else in her tone—something fragile, like she’s asking for more than just answers. For a second, I think about telling her everything—the hunters, the mate bond, the promise I made to her father. But the weight of it all presses down on me, and the words stick in my throat.

“You wouldn’t understand,” I grit out, my fists clenching at my sides. I can feel my nails biting into my palms, the sharp sting grounding me.

“Try me,” she says, her voice softer now, but no less firm. She’s close—too close—and the scent of her wraps around me, warm and intoxicating, like vanilla and sunlight. My wolf stirs, restless, clawing at the edges of my control. “Whatever it is you’re hiding, it can’t be worse than this,” she continues, her eyes searching mine. “This constant push and pull, like you’re here but you’re not. Like you care but you can’t say it. I’m not a child, Derek. Stop treating me like one.”

My chest tightens. She doesn’t understand. She can’t. “You have no idea what’s really going on.”

“Then tell me!” she bursts, throwing her hands up. “Stop with the cryptic warnings and vague threats. Stop treating me like I’m some fragile thing you have to shield from the world. Why do you even care so much?”

Her words hang in the air, heavy and unforgiving. The mate bond pulses between us, an unrelenting force pulling me closer to her. My wolf surges forward, clawing at the edges of my control. Her scent—vanilla and sunshine—fills my lungs, drowning out every rational thought.

Because you’re mine.

The truth is on the tip of my tongue, but I can’t say it. Instead, I close the remaining distance between us, backing her against the door. Her breath hitches, her wide eyes locked on mine.

“Because you mean more to me than you’ll ever know,” I rasp, the words tumbling out before I can stop them.

Her lips part in surprise, and the last shred of my restraint snaps. My hands move on their own, cupping her face as I crush my mouth to hers. The world falls away in an instant, leaving only her—the warmth of her skin, the softness of her lips, the way she gasps against me before kissing me back.

The bond explodes like wildfire, surging through me with an intensity I’ve never felt before. My wolf howls in triumph, claiming her in ways I’ve only dreamed of. She tastes like everything I’ve ever wanted, everything I’ve denied myself.

Her hands grip my jacket, pulling me closer, and for a moment, I let myself believe this could work. That I could have her. That she could be mine.

Reality crashes back into me like a brutal punch. What the hell am I doing? I pull away, stumbling back as if distance can undo the kiss, undo what I’ve just done. She blinks up at me, her cheeks flushed, her lips slightly swollen. She’s beautiful. Too beautiful.

“I shouldn’t have done that,” I mutter, my voice hoarse.

“Derek, wait—”

“Stay away from Ben.” My words come out sharper than I intend, but I can’t soften them. I can’t stay here, not when every part of me is screaming to pull her back into my arms. I turn and walk away, each step heavier than the last.

Behind me, her front door slams shut, the sound echoing in my chest like a gunshot.

My wolf snarls in fury, clawing at my resolve. She’s ours, he growls. Go back. Claim her. Protect her.

But I can’t. Not like this. Not with the hunters closing in and Ben skulking in the shadows, threatening everything I’ve worked to protect. I’ve already crossed too many lines tonight.

I climb into my truck, gripping the steering wheel until my knuckles turn white. The taste of her lingers on my lips, a cruel reminder of what I can’t have. I drive away, forcing myself not to look back.

But as the distance grows between us, the bond pulses stronger, reminding me of what I’ve left behind. And I know—no matter how far I run, no matter how hard I fight—it’s only a matter of time before I’m drawn back to her.

Because she’s mine.

And I’m hers.