Bound by Duty (a reverse harem military love story)

Chapter 3: Inhibitions

As the first rays of morning light painted the military compound, Isabella "Izzy" Silva made her way to the bustling mess hall for breakfast. Nervous excitement fluttered in her chest as she stepped inside, knowing that today would bring new challenges and opportunities.

She spotted a vacant seat at a table and took it, offering friendly smiles to the soldiers she had met the previous day. Before long, a friendly-looking man in his late twenties approached her table. "Mind if I join you?" he asked with a warm grin.

Izzy shook her head, happy for the company. "Not at all," she replied.

"I'm Matt," he introduced himself, extending a hand. "I've been a medic here for a couple of years. It's nice to have another medic around."

"Izzy," she said, shaking his hand. "I'm just starting out. Yesterday was my first day."

"Don't worry, you'll find your way around soon enough," Matt reassured her with a chuckle.

As they conversed, another soldier, a younger man named Jake, joined them at the table. He seemed curious about Izzy's presence in a predominantly male environment.

"You must be the new medic everyone's talking about," Jake said with a friendly smile.

Izzy nodded, feeling a bit self-conscious. "Yes, that's me," she replied softly. "I hope I can live up to expectations."

"Don't worry about that," Jake said with a reassuring grin. "You must be tough as nails to handle all of this."

Izzy blushed and giggled but appreciated the compliment. "I'm trying my best," she replied humbly.

Throughout breakfast, Matt and Jake shared stories of their experiences at the compound, and Izzy listened attentively, feeling a sense of camaraderie with her fellow medics.

After breakfast, the group headed to the shooting range for training. Alex, Caleb, and Ethan were already there, along with a few other male soldiers. The shooting range was a crucial aspect of their combat training, and Izzy was eager to prove herself.

Under the guidance of the three experienced soldiers, Izzy learned the proper techniques for handling various firearms and shooting at moving targets. As the training commenced, Izzy focused on her shooting skills, feeling the weight of the weapon in her hands and aiming at the moving targets. She felt Alex, Caleb and Ethan watching her closely, their presence both reassuring and slightly intimidating.

"Steady your breath, Izzy," Caleb coached, his voice calm and encouraging. "You've got this."

Ethan stood nearby, offering his support. "Keep your focus on the target, and don't rush," he advised. "Take your time with each shot."

Alex added, "Remember, it's okay to make mistakes. The important thing is to learn from them."

Their guidance helped Izzy stay composed, and with each shot, she grew more confident in her abilities. The possessiveness she sensed from her new found mentors melted into supportive energy, their protective nature only motivating her further.

As they took a break from shooting, Izzy felt a bit discouraged by her performance. "You guys are really good at this," she admitted, feeling a tinge of frustration.

Caleb patted her back reassuringly. "It takes time and practice," he said. "Remember, we've been doing this for years. You're doing great for your second day."

Ethan chimed in with encouragement. "And we have the advantage of special forces training," he said. "It's not a fair comparison, but that doesn't mean you won't get there."

Alex grinned, adding his support. "You've got the determination and skill," he said. "With time, you'll be just as good, if not better."

Izzy smiled, feeling buoyed by their kind words. "Thank you," she said gratefully. "I'll keep practicing until I get it right."