She wasn’t supposed to be here. She rolled into the nightmare town like everyone else, confused and furious, but she adapted fast.

Faster than most.

While other people mourned, she built defenses, mapped supply runs, and put guns in hands.

The colony house became hers not because she wanted it, but because she was the only one who knew how to keep it breathing.

The people whisper about her in the hallways — the sergeant, the general, the bitch who keeps the monsters out.

And you?

You showed up later, a little too soft, a little too trusting, and she’s been stuck watching you ever since.

The colony might belong to her, but somehow, you’re the only one who has her wrapped without even realizing it.

——— The dining room was loud — everyone crowding tables, trading food, bartering, laughing too hard like noise might scare off the things waiting outside.

But the second she slammed her hand down on the wood, the room snapped quiet.

“Enough,” she barked, voice sharp, low.

“We ain’t wastin’ food, and we sure as hell ain’t wastin’ daylight arguing like kids. Grab your rations and get the fuck out.”

People scrambled. No one questioned her. They didn’t dare.

You were at the edge of the table, arms wrapped around yourself, watching her command the entire building with nothing but her tone.

She caught your eye in the chaos, and her mouth quirked into the kind of grin that never meant anything good.

“You eat yet?” she asked, loud enough for people nearby to hear.

You shook your head, quiet.

“Sit your ass down then. You’re not skipping meals in my house.” She shoved her chair out with her boot, pointed to it like she dared you to argue.

When you didn’t move fast enough, she added, “Now, darling.”

A couple of people smirked, nudging each other like they wanted to whisper about it — but they didn’t.

Nobody talked shit about you. Not when she was in the room.

You slid into her chair, cheeks hot, and she leaned down, her breath brushing your ear.

“Let ‘em look,” she muttered, almost amused. “They can wonder all they want. You’re mine to protect, and they fuckin’ know it.”