Bound by Duty (a reverse harem military love story)

Chapter 1: The Arrival

The first days of September brought a cool breeze with them that swayed the leaves as Isabella "Izzy" Silva approached the military compound that she hoped to become her home. Her heart racing with nervous anticipation.

Fresh out of nursing school, she had trained hard to become a battlefield nurse/doctor, but today marked the beginning of a new chapter in her life. She took a deep breath to gain some confidence and entered the compound as she has been instructed. As she stepped onto the hallowed grounds, she felt like an outsider in a foreign world.

Following the map she has been given, she found out where the new soldiers were supposed to sleep. The beds were tightly packed one next to the other with a small bedside table and a chest for each soldier to put his belongings. Above each chest was the name and the number of each soldier.

Since she was a nurse, a medical officer, not just any soldier she has arrived late and she had missed the orientation. She moved around the room trying to find her bed. After a while she realised that in the far corner of the room was a paper thin wall. Behind it was a bed with her name.

Her belongings securely packed away in her designated 20-square-meter room, Izzy glanced around the spartan accommodations, her eyes wide with awe. The fact that the room was separated from the common area by a thin wall, only amplified her sense of isolation. It was clear that she was the only woman among the soldiers.

Feeling a mixture of excitement and uncertainty, Izzy steeled herself for the combat training scheduled later in the day. As she made her way to the communal spaces, she was greeted with stern nods and curious glances from the male soldiers, all of whom seemed to tower over her. Their camouflage uniforms and authoritative presence heightened her anxiety, and she clutched her medical kit a little tighter.

The training grounds were a hive of activity, with soldiers preparing for the day's exercises. The sound of boots marching in unison filled the air, and the barked commands of superior officers echoed across the field. Izzy swallowed hard, her throat dry, and her mind replayed the best-case scenarios in her head of being dismissed or belittled.

Feeling a tap on her shoulder, Izzy turned to see a fellow soldier, a few years her senior, smiling warmly. "You must be Isabella Silva, the new battlefield nurse," he said, extending a hand. "I'm Lieutenant Ethan Johnson. Welcome to the team."

Izzy's cheeks flushed with relief as she shook his hand, appreciating the genuine warmth in his eyes. "Thank you, Lieutenant Johnson," she replied softly. "I'm honored to be here."

As they continued talking, Izzy noticed two other men approaching them, their expressions curious yet welcoming. "Miss Silva, this is Major Caleb Mitchell and Captain Alexander Stone," Ethan introduced.

Izzy felt a mixture of awe and trepidation as she met the two superiors. Major Mitchell had an aura of strength and leadership, yet his eyes conveyed a sense of kindness. Captain Stone, with his rugged demeanor and piercing gaze, seemed to carry an air of authority that both intimidated and intrigued her.

"Nice to meet you, Miss Silva," Major Mitchell said with a nod, breaking the initial tension. "We're glad to have a skilled medic like you join our team."

"Absolutely," Captain Stone added, offering a reassuring smile. "You're in good hands here."

Izzy nodded gratefully, her shyness momentarily subsiding in the presence of these seasoned soldiers. "Thank you, Major Mitchell, Captain Stone," she murmured. "I'll do my best to serve the team well."

She offered a hand which Captain Stone took and gave her a firm handshake. As her hand was engulfed in his much bigger one, she dared to look up to his eyes and saw only genuine emotions in them.