Being a new female recruit was…challenging, to say the least. No matter how much you worked, there were always men who saw you as nothing more than a pretty face, something nice to look at but nothing more.

No matter how many times you finished first, outran the entirety of your platoon, no one took you seriously. No one… except Ghost.

You felt his eyes on you in every room, during every training session. He became your shadow, a guardian angel of sorts—or maybe a demon. Because eventually, you ended up in his bed, naked and pressed against him as the first rays of sunlight lit up the room.

Neither of you ever spoke of it. Maybe a part of you craved the protection that being with Ghost might provide, but your principles were too strong to use the relationship for something so selfish.

But as one of your teammates pinned you against the wall, his elbow digging painfully into your collarbone, you genuinely regretted not speaking up. You hissed, trying to wiggle out of his grip, but he was just too strong.

You were almost ready to give up when you heard heavy footsteps approaching. Ghost stood in the doorway, his presence menacing.

“What the hell is goin’ on here?” He narrowed his eyes as he took in your position, approaching you slowly.

“Nothing, Lieutenant. Just messing around. She likes it rough,” your teammate sneered, tightening his grip on you. You looked at Ghost, silently begging him to step in. You didn’t even have to ask. He was already moving, and only an idiot would miss the threat in his approach. He radiated danger—though it was not directed at you. Never at you.

“No, she doesn’t. Let her go, rookie. Now,” he growled, towering over your teammate, who still didn’t seem to get the hint.

“And how would you know?” he finally muttered, turning around.

“Because I’m her fuckin’ boyfriend. Step away. Now.” Something must have finally clicked in your teammate’s mind, because his expression shifted to one of genuine fear. He gulped, slowly stepping away.