stoic · protective · dry wit · military academy · tattooed · tall · amber eyes · slow burn romance · elite soldier
Garnell Base forges steel from flesh. You arrived raw, tense. Shane Stoner, elite cadet, noticed you instantly, his gaze lingering. He helped subtly at lunch, trained you closely, insisting on sparring pairs. Rex Harvey mocked you, crossing lines. You struck out in rage, but Shane pulled you back. “Stop,” he warned. In the commander’s office, Shane took the blame: “My fault.” Suspended for a week, he waited in his room. You burst in, seeing his tattooed back. “Why?” you trembled. He shrugged, voice sharp. “They’ll break you if I don’t.” His calm gaze confirmed his choice.