Forbidden Desires: A DARK ROMANCE NOVEL

Chapter 10

Upon arriving at the military camp, Ziana is immediately thrown into the thick of things. It’s nothing like the easy, pampered life she’s known. The air is thick with tension, the sounds of marching feet and orders being shouted. She’s introduced to her fellow recruits, each one as serious and intense as the last. Her superior officer, Sergeant Harris, gives them all a brief rundown of what to expect, his stern demeanor immediately setting the tone for the camp.

“Welcome to hell,” he says, his voice low and rough. “If you’re not ready for it, then leave now. I won’t hold it against you. You won’t last a day in my camp if you don’t have the stomach for it.”

Ziana rolls her eyes, muttering under her breath. “Nice pep talk, dude. Real motivating.”

It’s an easy slip of sarcasm, but Sergeant Harris overhears. He whips around, eyes narrowing. “Excuse me, Cadet?”

Ziana freezes for a moment, but then she gives him a wry grin. “I said, nice pep talk. Real heartwarming stuff. I feel so inspired.”

Harris glares at her, his face turning an almost dangerous shade of red. “Keep that attitude up, and you’ll be scrubbing latrines for the rest of your time here.”

Ziana raises an eyebrow, crossing her arms. “Ooh, latrines. I’m shaking in my boots.”

The other recruits around her shift uncomfortably, but Ziana doesn’t care. She’s used to being outspoken. Besides, it’s better to make her mark early than to sit back and let people walk all over her. Harris looks like he’s about to say something, but he turns away, shaking his head.

For the first few days, the camp is everything Ziana imagined it would be—hard, relentless, and brutal. The physical training is exhausting, her muscles sore in ways they’ve never been before. But she’s strong, determined, and ready for the challenge. And it’s not all bad. During one of the breaks, she meets Kyra, a fellow recruit who’s just as sarcastic and quick-witted as Ziana.

“Did you hear that speech from Harris?” Kyra says, her eyes glinting mischievously. “What a guy, huh? Can’t wait to get my hands on those latrines.”

Ziana laughs, a sharp bark of humor. “Oh yeah. I’m sure I’ll be spending the next few years scrubbing toilets with all the ‘heartwarming’ encouragement we’ve gotten.”

Kyra grins. “Looks like we’re going to get along just fine.”

The two bond quickly, their twisted sense of humor a perfect match. Ziana finds herself drawn to Kyra’s no-nonsense attitude. Despite the grueling training, the two girls have found a way to keep each other sane with jokes and sarcasm. They become fast friends, each one leaning on the other for support as the days drag on in the camp. Together, they navigate the brutality of military life, finding moments of lightheartedness in the darkest hours.

Ziana knows the road ahead will be tough, but, she feels ready to face whatever comes next. And maybe, just maybe, she’ll prove to herself—and to her father—that she’s not just a disappointment. She’s a force to be reckoned with.

The days in the military camp are grueling, as Ziana quickly discovers. Every morning, she’s up before dawn, her body aching from the relentless physical training. The sun is barely a sliver on the horizon when Sergeant Harris calls the first roll call, and Ziana can already feel the weight of the camp’s pressure building. They’re pushed harder with each passing day: endless runs, push-ups, drills, and tactical exercises that seem designed to test both their bodies and their mental endurance. There’s no room for weakness here, and Ziana’s determination to prove herself—both to her father and to herself—keeps her going.

One morning, as the recruits line up for inspection, Ziana’s tired but still fiery attitude flares up. The Sergeant’s bark echoes across the camp like thunder. “You think you can handle this, Cadet? Your squad’s behind, and you’re out of formation.”

Ziana stands tall, her eyes locking with his. “I’m not your average recruit, Sergeant. But I’m sure I can keep up just fine.” She doesn’t flinch, even though she’s exhausted from the prior day’s grueling training.

Sergeant Harris’s lip curls, unimpressed. “Your sarcasm won’t get you anywhere here. But I’m sure you’ll learn the hard way. Fall out.”

Ziana doesn’t argue; she knows she’s made an impression—perhaps not the one she wanted, but an impression nonetheless. As she drops out of formation, she can feel the eyes of her fellow recruits on her. A few snickers escape, but Ziana doesn’t care. She’s used to being the center of attention, even if it’s for all the wrong reasons.

Later that day, she meets Kyra again after a particularly brutal obstacle course. The heat of the sun beats down on them as they catch their breath, sweat slicking their skin.

Kyra’s face splits into a grin as she hands Ziana a bottle of water. “God, I thought I was going to die on that last run. But hey, you looked like you were enjoying it. Got a death wish or something?”

Ziana laughs, wiping her face with the back of her hand. “Nah, just trying not to get my ass kicked by Sergeant Harris. Can’t make a bad first impression.”

Kyra snorts. “First impression? He’s gonna hate you by the time we’re done here. But hey, at least you’ll make it entertaining. I’m looking forward to the chaos.”

Ziana grins. “Same here. At least one of us is getting a show out of this.”

Their camaraderie grows quickly, fueled by their shared sense of humor and quick wit. But there’s something else that Ziana notices about Kyra—something more than just the sarcasm. Kyra’s tough exterior hides something darker, something Ziana can sense but hasn’t yet fully understood. It’s a look in her eyes—a haunted, calculating edge that speaks of secrets.

As the days go by, Ziana starts to observe more about the camp. She’s learning the ropes quickly: the way the sergeants move, the patterns in the training schedules, and the way the recruits interact. The camp isn’t just about physical endurance; it’s also a testing ground for loyalty, strategy, and mind games. Ziana feels as though she’s been here before, a place where power dynamics are constantly shifting and survival is a matter of being the toughest, the quickest, and the most strategic.

One evening, after a particularly brutal night of hand-to-hand combat drills, Ziana and Kyra find themselves sitting under a tree, catching their breath. They’re both covered in dirt and bruises, but they’re laughing, the exhaustion fading as the adrenaline wears off.

“You ever think about what comes after this?” Kyra asks, her voice quieter than usual.

Ziana shrugs, her tone playful but with an edge. “Maybe I’ll just go back to my father’s mansion and play the good little heiress again. Start running the family business. You know, the stuff that bores the hell out of me.”

Kyra raises an eyebrow. “I’m guessing that’s not what you really want. You’re here for something else.”

Ziana doesn’t answer right away, the weight of the question hanging in the air between them. She looks at Kyra, considering her words carefully. “What about you? You hiding something?”

Kyra grins but doesn’t answer directly. “You’ll find out eventually.”

Ziana gives her a pointed look. “You’re not exactly the open book type, are you?”

Kyra’s expression hardens, her usual playful demeanor fading for a moment. “I’m not here to make friends. I’m here for one reason. And if you’re smart, you’ll keep your focus on your own goals.”

Ziana’s curiosity is piqued, but she doesn’t push further. There’s something off about Kyra’s response, but Ziana knows better than to dig too deep too soon. The military is full of secrets, and if Kyra has one, she’ll find out in due time. In the meantime, they have a mutual understanding. Ziana’s here to prove herself, and she’ll do whatever it takes to survive.

It doesn’t take long for the camp to show its true colors. Late one night, as Ziana and Kyra are finishing up a grueling set of drills, they find themselves face-to-face with one of the camp’s elite soldiers—someone who clearly isn’t here by accident. His name is Captain Rogan, and his reputation precedes him. He’s tough, no-nonsense, and has a history that is as mysterious as it is dangerous.

“Well, well, well,” Captain Rogan says, eyeing Ziana and Kyra with a smirk. “You two have a lot of potential. Or, you’ll just burn out quickly. Only time will tell.”

Kyra steps forward, her voice sharp. “You think you know everything, don’t you?”

He shrugs. “I know enough. The military isn’t just about muscle. It’s about knowing when to use your head and when to use your fists. The sooner you figure that out, the better.”

Ziana steps up beside Kyra, her posture challenging. “Don’t worry, Captain. We’ll figure it out.” She doesn’t know why she says it, but something about Captain Rogan rubs her the wrong way. He’s too smug, too aware of his own power. She feels as though there’s more to him than meets the eye—something darker, something that could link him to the very world she’s trying to escape.

As Rogan walks away, Ziana turns to Kyra. “What’s his deal?”

Kyra shrugs, the usual mischief in her eyes gone. “Don’t know yet. But you’ll want to keep an eye on him. Trust me.”

Ziana is about to ask more, but she’s interrupted by the sharp voice of Sergeant Harris. “Enough chatter. Get back to your barracks. You’re not here to make friends.”

Ziana exchanges a glance with Kyra, then both of them walk back to their barracks, the weight of the night’s encounter hanging over them. As the camp's atmosphere shifts and the stakes grow higher, Ziana can feel the darkness closing in on all sides—hidden alliances, power plays, and secrets. It’s not just about surviving the training anymore. There’s something bigger happening here, and Ziana has the feeling she’s about to be drawn into something far more dangerous than she ever expected.

In the world of the military, just like in the Mafia, no one is truly who they seem. And Ziana is about to learn that the hard way.