Page 20 of Her Enemy Dragon Captor (Dream Team Shifters #5)

CHAPTER 20

A lex stared down at the body on the examination table. The creature had reverted to its true form after death—gray skin mottled with pustule-like growths, elongated limbs ending in razor-sharp claws, a face that was a grotesque mockery of humanity. Yet minutes ago, it had worn the visage of a frail old man.

"Definitely Krita," Jack confirmed, prodding the corpse with a gloved finger. “Their ability to maintain human form is... much improved, to say the least."

“And very concerning,” Jack added.

"How did it get so close?" Brian asked, pacing behind them. "Our sensors should have detected it."

Jason shook his head. "Well, they didn’t, did they? These things are evolving. Adapting. Learning our weaknesses."

“At an alarming rate.”

“I guess they’re not as dumb as they look,” Dylan offered.

“Or even as dumb as you look.” Jason added.

“Funny. Keep it up!” Dylan retorted, advancing on the tiger shifter.

Lester approached, adjusting his glasses as he peered at the creature. "Okay boys, let’s drop the testosterone display for a moment. But don’t worry, you can go right back to it after we take a closer look here.

This prompted a little grumbling and posturing, but they settled down.

Alex was relieved – and somewhat pleased with himself – all at once.

The creature was about to shoot out one of its nasty little spiked appendages – but he had seen it just in time.

“You know Alex, we could have learned a lot more from this scout...”

“Well next time I will let it shoot you full of venom til you pop if you would like...”

“No, well... yes I see your point...” Lester mumbled as he cut through the thing’s human clothing. “Hmmm, this particular specimen appears to have developed enhanced biomimicry capabilities. Fascinating."

"Not the word I'd use," Dylan muttered.

“Yeah that thing is nasty,” Jason agreed.

Alex only half-listened to the conversation swirling around him. His mind kept returning to Jane. If the Krita had tried to infiltrate here, where else might they be?

Is she safe?

And what to do about this latest wrinkle.

If her father is the FBI director, what does that really mean? Does it mean anything?

What if I just ask her?

Yes, why not... surely things have progressed. I have told her the truth, the full truth...

"We need to increase patrols, not just here, but in town," Jack was saying. "If there is one, there could be others."

Alex’s attention was snapped back to the situation at hand – and the threat.

“My thought as well.” His dragon was on high alert.

"The first wave of warriors from Ursaline is already forming a perimeter," Jason reported. "We've got them disguised as construction crews, tourists, local workers."

"I don’t suppose you have been able to get more specific readings about where the Krita may choose to strike?" Jack asked, turning to Lester.

Lester's expression grew somber. "My apologies. I wish I could be more precise, if I had more time?—"

"We could all use more time," Alex offered, cutting him off, already heading for the door. "Excuse me gentlemen, I need to check on Jane."

“Understood,” Jack replied. “Perhaps we should all check on our mates...”

Alex was out the door before Jack finished his sentence.

At first, he just started walking toward his home. But as images of the mutated scout danced in his head, he began to pick up his pace. His walk turned into a trot, and then a jog, until he was practically sprinting by the time he got to his property line.

Alex burst through his front door; his dragon's anxiety having become his own.

"Jane?" he called, striding through the living room. "Jane, hello?"

Silence answered him. He checked every room, continuing to call out as he went. He double checked the back woods and immediate area. Nothing.

She’s gone.

"Dammit!" He slammed his fist against the wall, leaving a sizeable dent.

His dragon clawed at his insides, desperate to break free and search for their mate. The panic rising in his chest was unlike anything he'd ever felt in battle.

He raced back to the compound, bursting into the command center where the team was still discussing the Krita scout.

"Jane's gone," he announced, cutting through their conversation. "I need help finding her. Now. Let’s go..."

Jack looked up from the map, his expression grim. "Now? Are you sure? Regardless... if you haven’t noticed, we have our hands full. There could be more Krita planning who knows what... or where. You must understand..."

"I don't care," Alex growled. "She's my mate."

Dylan stepped forward, his face sympathetic but firm. “You know very well we can’t help. We need to get the newly arrived warriors positioned, and bring the recruits up to speed... like yesterday... to be honest we can’t even afford to lose you?—"

"I’m sorry – but not sorry. She could be in danger," Alex insisted. "I can’t risk her... I won’t risk her...”

"The safety of our entire alliance comes first," Jack said quietly. "You know that."

“Oh please, listen to yourselves! What if it were your mates unaccounted for?" Alex bellowed. His words hung in the air.

Alex looked around the room, seeing the resolved faces of his teammates. They understood his pain, but it seemed they were firm in their resolve.

"Fine," he said, turning toward the door. "I'll find her myself."

"Alex—" Brian began.

"Don't," Alex cut him off. "She's out there alone and confused. I let her down. I did, and I have to make this right."

Without waiting for a response, he strode from the command center, his mind already mapping possible routes Jane might have taken.

His dragon howled within him, both in anguish and determination.

I will find you, Jane. Whatever it takes.

And the gods help anyone... or anything, that might even think of harming you...