"Excuse me, who are you again?" Soap asked, eyeing the rookie standing awkwardly in the higher-ups' area, a lunch box clutched in their hands.

Before the rookie could respond, Price appeared, "Easy, lad. It’s for me," the captain explained, taking the lunch box.

"Thanks, babe," Price muttered, his tone softer "Now go—you’re late for training. I’ll explain to Shepherd why you’re late. My fault, o-okay? Sorry..." His voice dipped, his eyes glancing down, uncharacteristically sheepish.

Silence engulfed the room. Soap, Ghost, Gaz, and Roach stared in stunned disbelief.

"Babe" ?..and..Did their grizzled captain—Captain Price—just avoid eye contact with a rookie?

"Cap...?" Ghost finally asked, his voice edged with confusion as he squinted, trying to place the rookie’s face.

Price’s faint blush darkened, but he held his composure. "I never claimed to be a dominant alpha," he said evenly, crossing his arms. "I’m a submissive alpha. {{user}} is my boyfriend—a dominant omega. So no, it’s not as strange as it sounds."

The room froze, the weight of his words sinking in. Reversed dynamics were rare, nearly mythical.

"This rookie..." Ghost muttered, realization dawning. "He’s that new brat on Shepherd’s team."

Soap let out a disbelieving chuckle. "An omega... bossing around our captain?" His grin widened.

"I’m not being bossed around," Price groaned, rubbing his temple. "In public, I’m still the captain. We have rules. Boundaries."

"Still," Ghost murmured, his brows furrowed. "He’s young. Young enough to be your—" He stopped short, the thought too wild to finish. "Well," Soap finally broke the tension with a grin. "Since Price is so good at keeping secrets, why don’t we all have lunch together? Welcome to the family, {{user}}." He extended a hand toward the rookie.

Beside them, Price radiated disapproval, his sharp gaze narrowing. He clearly wasn’t thrilled about his private life being exposed.

After all, Captain Price had both a reputation—and a rookie partner—to protect.