Chapter 5

Lucas

The sharp scent of distress hits me before I even hear the frantic knocking at my office door. My wolf stirs, instantly alert.

I know that scent.

Sarah.

"Come in," I call out, rising from my chair, my body tense with anticipation and concern.

The door flies open, and Sarah bursts in, her blue eyes wide with fear, her curly blonde hair disheveled. She's breathing heavily, her chest heaving as if she's just run a marathon. The sight of her in such distress makes my wolf growl, urging me to protect, to comfort.

"Sarah," I say, my voice low and soothing. "What's wrong?"

She doesn't answer immediately, just stands there, trembling. I can smell the salt of unshed tears, the acrid tang of fear clinging to her skin. It takes every ounce of self-control not to rush to her, to wrap her in my arms and shield her from whatever has frightened her so badly.

"I... I saw him," she finally chokes out, her voice barely above a whisper. "My ex. He's here, at the university."

Her abusive ex-boyfriend. The wolf shifter who hurt her, who made her fear our kind. My hands clench into fists at my sides.

"It's okay," I murmur, trying to keep my voice low and soothing.

"I... I'm sorry," she chokes out, tears spilling down her cheeks. "I didn't know where else to go."

Sarah's body shakes with silent sobs, her tears flowing freely now. The sight of her in such pain is more than I can bear. My wolf howls inside me, demanding action, insisting that I comfort our mate.

Before I can second-guess myself, I'm moving. In two quick strides, I'm at her side. Without a word, I scoop her up into my arms. She lets out a small gasp of surprise, but doesn't resist as I carry her to the leather sofa in the corner of my office.

I sit down, cradling her in my lap. She feels so small, so fragile in my arms, yet I know the strength that lies within her. Sarah buries her face in my chest, her tears dampening my shirt. I don't care. All that matters is that she's here, that she's safe.

"It's okay," I murmur, one hand stroking her back while the other cradles her head. "Let it out. I've got you."

My wolf, usually so restless and demanding, settles into a contented purr. This feels right. This is where she belongs, safe in our arms.

Sarah's sobs gradually subside into quiet hiccups and sniffles. I continue to hold her, my hand moving in soothing circles on her back.

She lets out a shuddering breath, leaning into my touch ever so slightly. "I thought I was over this," she whispers. "I thought I was stronger now."

"You are strong," I insist, my voice low and intense. "Strength isn't about never being afraid. It's about facing those fears, about surviving. And you, Sarah Mitchell, are a survivor."

She looks up at me then, her blue eyes swimming with tears but also with something else. Gratitude? Trust? Whatever it is, it makes my heart race.

"I'm sorry," she whispers. "I didn't mean to fall apart like that."

"Don't apologize," I say firmly, but gently. "You have nothing to be sorry for."

She shifts slightly in my lap, and I have to stifle a groan. Having her this close, feeling the warmth of her body against mine, is both heaven and torture. I want nothing more than to tilt her chin up and claim her lips with mine. But I can't. She needs comfort and safety right now, not my selfish desires.

"Thank you," Sarah says softly. Her eyes are red-rimmed and puffy from crying, but still so beautiful. "I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't been here."

I reach up, gently brushing a stray tear from her cheek. "I'll always be here for you, Sarah. Always."

The intensity in my voice surprises even me. But I mean every word. My wolf rumbles in agreement. We will protect her, comfort her, love her - for as long as she'll let us.

It's hard to remember why I shouldn't pull her closer, why I shouldn't bury my face in her neck and breathe in her scent.

Instead, I ask, "Do you want to talk about what happened?"

Sarah tucks her head under my chin, pressing her face against my chest. I can feel her trembling slightly, her fingers curling into the fabric of my shirt. The protective instinct in me surges, and I tighten my arms around her, offering what comfort I can through my presence.

"It's... it's Mark," she finally manages, her voice muffled against my chest. "He's here. At the university."

The name hits me like a physical blow. Mark. The new professor. The arrogant wolf shifter I met at the faculty meeting. Suddenly, his smug attitude and thinly veiled challenges make a sickening kind of sense. My body tenses, a low growl building in my chest before I can stop it. Sarah stiffens in my arms, and I force myself to relax, not wanting to frighten her.

"Did he hurt you?" I ask, struggling to keep my voice steady despite the rage building inside me.

Sarah shakes her head, drawing in a shuddering breath. "No, but... he found me in the quad. He said... he said he's not done with me. That I belong to him."

The possessive claim in those words makes my wolf snarl with fury. Sarah belongs to no one but herself. And if she chose to be with anyone, it should be... No. I can't think like that right now. I need to focus on keeping her safe, on being the support she needs.

"I won't let him hurt you, Sarah," I promise, the words coming out before I can stop them. "You're safe here."

She looks up at me, her eyes searching my face. "Why?" she asks, her voice barely above a whisper. "Why do you care so much?"

The question catches me off guard. How can I explain the pull I feel towards her? The way my wolf recognizes her as ours, even if my human side knows better? How do I tell her that every instinct I have screams to protect her, to cherish her?

"Because you matter," I say finally, my voice husky with emotion. "Because you're brilliant, and kind, and stronger than you know. Because no one deserves to live in fear, especially not someone as remarkable as you."

Sarah's breath hitches, and fresh tears spill down her cheeks. Without thinking, I reach up with my free hand to brush them away. The moment my fingers touch her skin, a spark of electricity jolts through us both. Her eyes widen, and suddenly the air between us is charged with something entirely different from fear.

"Lucas," she breathes, and the sound of my name on her lips is almost my undoing.

I should pull away. I should remember that I'm her professor, that there are lines we can't cross. But my wolf is howling, demanding that I claim what's ours, and for once, I find myself in complete agreement with my more primal side.

"Sarah," I murmur, my voice rough with emotion. "May I... may I kiss you?"

For a heartbeat that feels like an eternity, she's silent. Then, almost imperceptibly, she nods.

I lean in slowly, giving her every chance to change her mind. But she doesn't pull away. Instead, she meets me halfway, her lips soft and yielding against mine.

The kiss is gentle at first, a tender exploration. But then Sarah makes a small, needy sound in the back of her throat, and something inside me snaps. I deepen the kiss, one hand cupping her face while the other slides around her waist, pulling her closer.

She tastes like vanilla and tears, and I drink her in like a man dying of thirst. My wolf howls in triumph, recognizing our mate, our other half. Every nerve in my body is on fire, hyper-aware of everywhere we touch.

Sarah's hands come up to tangle in my hair, her body melting against mine. I can smell the shift in her scent, fear giving way to desire, and it's intoxicating. I want to lose myself in her, to forget everything but this moment.

Just as I'm about to throw caution to the wind completely, the sound of a door slamming in the hallway echoes through the building. We spring apart, both breathing heavily.

Reality crashes back in like a bucket of ice water. I'm her professor. She's my student. And somewhere on this campus, her abusive ex is lurking, a threat to everything we might have.

"I... I'm sorry," Sarah stammers, her cheeks flushed, lips swollen from our kiss. "I shouldn't have—"

"No," I interrupt, my voice hoarse. "Don't apologize. I'm the one who should be sorry. I took advantage—"

"You didn't," she insists, her blue eyes fierce despite the lingering fear.

Sarah takes a deep breath, her composure slowly returning. She gently extricates herself from my lap and stands, smoothing down her clothes. "I... I think I should go home now," she says, her voice steadier than before but still tinged with uncertainty.

I nod, rising to my feet as well. "Of course. I'll walk you to your car and then follow you home to make sure you get there safely."

She looks at me, surprise evident in her eyes. "You don't have to do that, Lucas. I'm sure you have work to do."

"Nothing that can't wait," I insist gently. "Your safety is more important. Please, let me do this for my own peace of mind."

Sarah hesitates for a moment, then nods. "Okay. Thank you."

I quickly pack up my laptop and a few papers into my briefcase. "Ready when you are."

We leave my office together, walking side by side through the now-quiet campus. I keep my senses alert, scanning for any sign of Mark or potential danger. Sarah's proximity is both comforting and distracting, her scent a mix of lingering anxiety and something warmer that makes my wolf rumble contentedly.

As we approach the parking lot, I notice Sarah's steps quicken slightly. "My car's just over there," she says, pointing to a blue sedan a few rows away.

"I'm parked not far from you," I tell her. "I'll walk you to your car, then follow you in mine. Is that alright?"

She nods, offering a small smile that makes my heart skip. "That would be great. Thank you, Lucas. Really."

We reach her car, and I wait as she unlocks it and gets inside. "I'll be right behind you," I assure her. "Drive safely, and don't worry about losing me at lights. I'll catch up."

Sarah nods, her eyes meeting mine with a mix of gratitude and something deeper that I can't quite name. "I will. See you soon."

I stride to my truck, my movements stiff and controlled. Every fiber of my being screams at me to follow her, to guard her. The wolf inside me paces restlessly, demanding action. With a growl of frustration, I slam the truck door and start the engine.

The taste of Sarah's lips lingers on mine as I watch her car turn around the corner. My heart pounds, a mix of desire and an overwhelming need to protect surging through my veins.

As I follow her car through the quiet streets of Whispering Pines, my mind races. The thought of anyone hurting her makes my blood boil. I grip the steering wheel tighter, my knuckles turning white.

Sarah's car slows as she approaches a modest two-story house with a small front yard. I pull up behind her, watching intently as she parks in the driveway. She gets out, her movements still a bit shaky, and turns to face me. Even from this distance, I can see the mix of relief and lingering anxiety on her face.

She raises her hand in a small wave, mouthing "Thank you" before turning to unlock her front door. I wait, engine idling, until I see her safely inside. The porch light flicks on, a signal that she's okay.

I should leave now. I've done my duty. She's home safe.

But I can't. Not yet.

I put my truck in gear and slowly drive past her house, as if heading home myself. But instead of continuing down the street, I turn at the next corner, circling back to the small park I noticed a block away from Sarah's place.

The park is deserted at this hour, the playground equipment casting long shadows in the fading evening light. I pull into a spot partially hidden by a cluster of trees. The memory of Sarah's trembling voice as she confessed her past floods my mind. The fear in her eyes, the vulnerability... it awakens something primal in me. A growl rumbles in my chest, and I feel my canines elongating slightly.

My wolf is restless, clawing at the surface. He wants out. Wants to patrol, to mark, to claim.

I strip quickly, stashing my clothes in the truck. The shift comes easily, almost eagerly. Bones crack and reshape, muscles stretch and contort. In seconds, where a man once stood, a large, silver-streaked wolf now crouches.

My senses explode with newfound clarity. The night air is alive with scents – the earthy musk of nearby animals, the lingering exhaust from passing cars, and most intoxicatingly, Sarah's unique fragrance. It calls to me, a siren song I'm helpless to resist.

I pad silently across the street, my paws barely making a sound on the asphalt. As I near Sarah's property, the urge to mark my territory is overwhelming. I circle the perimeter of her yard, leaving my scent at strategic points. It's a primal act, one that satisfies my wolf on a deep level. Any other shifter who comes near will know – this woman is protected. She is claimed.

I find a shadowy spot beneath a large oak tree, settling in for my vigil. From here, I have a clear view of both the front and side of the house. No one will be able to approach without me knowing.

As the night wears on, my mind wanders. I think about the kiss we shared, the way Sarah melted into me before pulling away. The fear in her eyes when she spoke of her ex haunts me. I want nothing more than to hunt down the bastard who hurt her, to make him pay for every tear she's shed.

But I know that's not what Sarah needs right now. She needs patience, understanding. She needs to know that not all shifters are like her ex. That I would rather die than cause her pain.

The hours pass, but I remain vigilant. Every rustle of leaves, every distant car engine, every flicker of light from Sarah's windows keeps me alert. My wolf is content for now, satisfied that we're guarding our mate.

As the first hints of dawn begin to color the sky, I know I need to leave soon. I can't risk being seen, can't jeopardize Sarah's trust or my position at the university. But the thought of leaving her unprotected, even for a moment, makes my fur bristle.

I stand, stretching my limbs, and take one last circuit around her property. Her scent envelops me, soothing and igniting my senses all at once. I commit every detail to memory – the soft glow of her bedroom window, the gentle sway of the curtains, the faint sound of her steady breathing that my heightened senses can just barely detect.

With great reluctance, I turn back towards the park where my truck waits. But even as I shift back to my human form and drive away, my mind and heart remain here, with her.

Sarah Mitchell is mine to protect, to cherish, to love. And I'll be damned if I let anyone or anything come between us.