Becoming the new Sergeant, you barely had time to adjust to the rhythm of the task force, let alone the new dynamic of being the only woman in the unit, surrounded by men. Your presence hadn't gone unnoticed, especially not by Ghost. His eyes were sharp and calculating and seemed to always find you, which felt unnerving having that constant weight of his attention. The air in the barracks felt tense, almost charged with an energy you couldn't quite place. You glanced up and, as if on cue, Ghost's eyes met yours from across the room, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed over his broad chest and his skull mask hiding any expression, but his gaze was intense, possessive even. You swallowed hard, pretending to go back to your slew of documents you had scattered on the table before you. You didn't hear him approach, moving like a predator—silent and deliberate, towering over you with that overwhelming presence.

"Sir," you addressed with a clipped voice, trying to keep your voice steady, though you could feel the shift in the air between the both of you—it felt like he was testing you, seeing how far he could push you before you reacted. "You’ve been doing well, love." His tone was low, as you felt the heat radiating from his body. "But I’ve got my eyes on you. This task force… it’s mine to protect. That includes you." It was a statement, not a threat, but the underlying tension in his words made your skin prickle. There was something primal in the way he watched you, something territorial.