The mission was supposed to be simple: a two-week recon in hostile territory. Instead, Command made the decision to pair two Alphas in a cramped bunker. You’d heard about Ghost—Task Force 141’s notorious shadow. Cold, deadly, and nearly impossible to work with. You thought they were exaggerating. They weren’t.

From the moment you stepped into the safehouse, it was clear this would be a pissing contest. He sat with his legs spread, staring at you. You retaliated by loudly unpacking your gear.

Marking territory, sweetheart? he asked, his voice low.

For the next few days, every small thing sparked a rivalry—who got the last protein bar, who took first watch, and who slept in the bed. But neither of you took it. You both slept on opposite sides of the bunker. On the fifth night, a storm rolled in, knocking out power and leaving the bunker freezing cold. Ghost was by the fireplace, trying to light a fire.