Page 25 of Her Enemy Dragon Captor (Dream Team Shifters #5)

CHAPTER 25

" A nd this is the training facility where the...um, recruits learn to connect with their inner animals," Jane explained, gesturing toward the converted warehouse space where Cindy was currently leading a session.

Her father, FBI Director Lyle Donovan, peered through the observation window, his expression a mixture of disbelief and grudging fascination. Beside him, her sister Melissa watched wide-eyed as one of the newer recruits achieved a partial shift, scales rippling briefly across his forearms.

"My God," her father muttered. "Even seeing it, I can hardly believe it."

"I told you, Dad," Jane said, unable to keep a hint of satisfaction from her voice. After a lifetime of trying to earn his approval, there was something deeply gratifying about introducing him to a world that challenged everything he thought he knew.

It had been just over a week since the battle on the Prison Planet—New Dawn, but it felt like a year. So much had changed. A week of debriefings, orientation sessions for the human agencies now cooperating with the alliance, plus just settling into her new life with Alex.

But despite some initial complications—a few civilians with camera phones, some local reporters asking too many questions about what they had by some miracle been able to pass of as a furry convention, they’d managed to contain any solid proof of even major notice of this new reality remarkably well. Between her father pulling strings at the highest levels, and Jack coordinating with the Shifter League and their network of shifters who had already infiltrated much of normal society, they had managed to contain just about any and all leaks. There would always be rumors, of course. Social media threads about strange creatures and conspiracy websites claiming alien contact. But without proof, these remained exactly what the alliance needed them to be: fringe theories dismissed by the mainstream. In other words, the status quo.

The revelation that his daughter was now mated to an alien dragon shifter had been a lot for her father to process, but to his credit, he was trying.

Melissa, on the other hand, had taken to it all with unexpected enthusiasm.

"So, you're saying I could potentially do this too?" Melissa asked, her eyes still fixed on the training session. "I could... shift?"

Jane exchanged a glance with Alex, who stood quietly at her side. In the past week, she'd noticed how he naturally deferred to her when it came to her family, a gesture of respect she deeply appreciated.

"Absolutely, yes," Jane answered. "All humans have the latent ability, according to Lester and Jessa's research. Some just have a stronger connection than others."

Melissa's face lit up in a way Jane hadn't seen since before her involvement with that cult years ago. The thought warmed Jane's heart—after everything her sister had been through, maybe this was exactly what she needed.

"I can see that look on your face, Jane," Melissa said, turning away from the window with a wry smile. "Don't worry, I'm not about to join another cult. I learned my lesson the hard way."

"I didn't say anything," Jane protested weakly.

"You didn't have to. Your 'protective big sister' face is showing." Melissa bumped her shoulder playfully. "Besides, if anyone should be worried, it's me. My FBI agent sister is now dating an alien dragon and talking about 'connecting with her inner animal.' Talk about role reversal."

Their father snorted. "She's got you there, Janie."

Jane felt her cheeks flush, but she couldn't help laughing. After years of tension and worry, this easy banter felt like a miracle. "Fair point."

"We could try some preliminary exercises, if you'd like," Alex offered, speaking for the first time since they'd entered this part of the compound. "Cindy has developed quite an effective program."

"I'd love that," Melissa said, then hesitated, glancing at their father.

Director Donovan sighed heavily. "I suppose if my daughters are going to be involved in all this, I might as well understand it better." He turned to Alex, his expression stern but not unfriendly. "I trust you're taking good care of my Jane."

"Dad," Jane protested, feeling heat rise to her cheeks.

Alex, to his credit, met her father's gaze directly. "With my life, sir."

Something passed between the two men, and her father nodded almost imperceptibly.

"Mom would have a field day with all this," Melissa said suddenly. "Can you imagine? She'd probably try to market it as some kind of new-age therapeutic technique."

Jane groaned. Their mother, the eternal entrepreneur, had moved to Arizona after the divorce and now ran a wellness spa that specialized in what she called "alternative healing modalities."

"Please tell me you haven't told her," Jane said.

"Not yet," Melissa replied with a mischievous grin. "But her 'Cosmic Rebirth Weekend Retreat' could use a dragon demonstration, don't you think?"

"Absolutely not," their father and Jane said in unison.

Alex looked between them, clearly trying to hide his amusement. "I take it your mother is... creative?"

"That's one word for it," Director Donovan muttered.

"Mom's fine," Jane explained quickly. "She's just... enthusiastic about spiritual experiences. And marketing them."

"Which is why we're waiting until things settle down before involving her," Melissa added. "Unless you want 'Dragon Shift Energy Alignment' to be her next bestselling program?"

"Well, shall we continue the tour?" Jane said, eager to move things along. "There's someone I'd like you both to meet."

She led them through the compound to Lester's lab, where the elderly scientist was hunched over a microscope, muttering to himself. Jessa stood nearby, making notes on a tablet.

"Lester, Jessa," Jane called. "I've brought visitors."

Lester looked up, his face lighting up as he spotted them. "Ah! Director Donovan! And this must be Melissa! Jane has told us so much about you both." He hurried over, adjusting his glasses. "I understand you have questions about our research?"

Jane watched as her father, despite his initial reservations, was quickly drawn into conversation with Lester. The scientist had a way of making even the most extraordinary concepts sound perfectly reasonable.

"Your dad's coming around," Alex murmured, his hand finding the small of her back.

"Slowly," Jane agreed. "But yes, I think he is."

As Lester led her father and sister on an impromptu tour of the lab, Jane leaned into Alex's solid warmth, savoring the simple contact. Her dragon—still such a new presence in her consciousness—hummed with contentment.

"Jane!" a familiar voice called. She turned to see Cindy approaching with Dylan, both of them looking pleased to see her.

"How's the family tour going?" Cindy asked, her eyes twinkling. "Traumatized them yet?"

Jane laughed. "Working on it. Dad's currently getting the full Lester experience."

"Poor man," Dylan said with mock sympathy. "No one deserves that."

"I heard that!" Lester called from across the lab, his hearing apparently better than they'd given him credit for.

They all laughed, and Jane felt a surge of affection for these people who had so quickly become her family. Even a few weeks ago, she could never have imagined this—standing with shifters from different planets, joking and planning and building a future together.

"Oh, before I forget," Cindy said, "we're having dinner at our place tomorrow night. Jack and Sierra will be there, and Brian and Lisa too. Sort of a Dream Team gathering."

"We'd love to come," Jane replied, feeling Alex's nod of agreement.

As Cindy and Dylan moved on to greet her family, Jane caught sight of Melissa giving Lester a very serious look.

"So, these exercises to connect with your inner animal," her sister was saying, "they're about empowerment and self-discovery, not worship or devotion to a leader, right?"

Jane held her breath, but Lester just looked confused.

"Worship? Goodness, no. It's simply a matter of genetic expression and conscious activation of dormant abilities that have existed within your DNA since?—"

"Good," Melissa interrupted with a firm nod. "Just checking. Been there, done that, got the cult t-shirt." She glanced at Jane and winked. "Don't worry, I'm vetting them properly this time."

Jane felt a surge of pride for her sister. Rather than closing herself off after her traumatic experience, Melissa had learned from it.

Later that afternoon, as the sun began to dip toward the horizon, they gathered at the newly rebuilt portal chamber beneath Serpent Mound. It was time for the first official diplomatic exchange between Earth and New Dawn, and Jane's father had been invited to attend as a representative of human government.

Jane watched with pride as her father shook hands with the reformed Krita leadership—those who had emerged from the battle with a desire to build a different future for their people. That whole thing had been a welcome surprise. It would have sucked to be at war with them for years. Alongside him stood the Dream Team and the Shifter League representative, a united front of cooperation.

"This is just the beginning," Alex said, standing beside her as they observed the historic moment.

"Of what?" Jane asked.

"Everything," he replied simply. "A new chapter for all our worlds."

As the formal proceedings concluded, Jane caught her sister deep in conversation with James, or “Turtle Boy” as she had come to think of him. He seemed to be demonstrating something with animated hand gestures. Melissa was laughing, looking more carefree than Jane had seen her in years.

"I think your sister might be finding her place too," Alex observed.

Jane smiled. "I hope so. She deserves it after everything she's been through."

"Though I notice she's grilling James pretty thoroughly," Alex added with amusement. "I've heard the phrase 'hierarchical power structure' at least twice."

"Good for her," Jane said. "She's not taking anything at face value anymore. But I should add... that’s kind of her flirting style..."

“Adversarial?” he laughed.

“I suppose we don’t know anything about that do we?” She chuckled.

“Who us? Nope. Not at all,” he said as he pulled her close.

The day had been long and emotionally draining, but in the best possible way. As they finally said goodbye to her family—her father with promises to call at least twice a week, her sister with plans to return for training sessions—Jane felt a bone-deep exhaustion settle over her.

"Your sister made me promise to send her a full PDF of our 'code of ethics' before her next visit," Alex said as they walked to the car. "She's thorough."

"Better thorough than sorry," Jane replied. "But I think she'll be okay. She's stronger than I gave her credit for."

"Must run in the family," Alex said softly.

"Ready to go home?" he asked, his arm sliding around her waist.

Home. Such a simple word, but it carried so much meaning now.

"Yes," she said, leaning into him. "Take me home."

The drive back to Alex's house—their house now—was quiet, both of them content in each other's company after the busy day. Jane watched the familiar forest road unfold before them, thinking about how drastically her life had changed in such a short time.

FBI agent to dragon shifter. Captor to mate. Stranger to lover.

And somehow, impossibly, it all felt right.

The drive back to Alex's home felt electric to Jane, her body thrumming with anticipation. Moonlight filtered through the trees, casting shifting patterns across Alex's profile as he drove. She couldn't stop herself from reaching over occasionally to touch his thigh, feeling his muscles tense beneath her fingers.

Every time she touched him, she felt her dragon stir inside her, still new and unfamiliar but increasingly insistent. The sensation was intoxicating.

“So, you think the plumbing will need adjusting too? Or just a redecoration with new fixtures?”

“I’m not sure. I think we might need to a thorough renovation... plumbing, fixtures and all...”

“Well, I’m ready to get down and dirty if that’s what it takes...”

“Yes, we may have to get very dirty indeed.”

At that Jane couldn’t hold in her giggles any longer. “So bad...”

When they finally arrived, Jane barely waited for Alex to close the front door before she was in his arms, pressing her lips against his with an urgency that surprised even her.

"So," she murmured against his mouth, "I think we have put this off long enough..."

She felt rather than heard his laugh, the vibration rumbling through his chest and into hers as he lifted her effortlessly. The way he could carry her so easily sent a thrill through her body.

"I think you’re right. We had better get to work with the renovations right away," he replied.

"Oh, absolutely," Jane agreed, wrapping her legs around his waist, feeling his hardness through their clothes. "I’ve been looking forward to working very hard on it."

Her heart pounded as he carried her down the hallway to the master bathroom. He kicked the door open, revealing a spacious room with a large glass-walled shower on one side and an oversized soaking tub on the other.

"Hmm," Jane said, sliding down his body until her feet touched the floor, savoring the friction between them. "I already have some ideas. Show me how the shower works. I might need a... demonstration."

She turned her back to him, lifting her hair to expose the zipper of her borrowed dress. "Help me with this, would you?"

Jane shivered as his fingers brushed against her skin, slowly lowering the zipper. The cool air hit her exposed back, contrasting with the heat radiating from Alex behind her. She let the dress pool at her feet and stepped out of it, turning to face him in her simple black underwear, suddenly grateful she'd worn her better set today.

"Your turn," she whispered, her fingers already working at the buttons of his shirt. She marveled at the hard planes of his chest as she unveiled him, her dragon practically purring in appreciation.

When they stood before each other completely bare, Jane couldn't help but stare. No matter how many times she saw him, his masculine beauty took her breath away. His broad shoulders, the defined muscles of his chest tapering to narrow hips, and his already hardening cock made her mouth water with anticipation.

"Water pressure seems good," she said with mock seriousness as Alex turned on the shower, running her fingers through the spray to hide her nervousness. She was thoroughly enjoying their playful game. She'd never felt so free to be herself with anyone. "Temperature control?"

"Fully adjustable," Alex replied, stepping into the shower behind her, his hands finding her waist. His touch sent sparks across her skin. "I'd say it's... heating up nicely."

Jane turned in his arms, water cascading over them both as she pressed against him, feeling every inch of his hard body against hers. His erection pressed hot and insistent against her stomach. "I think we can keep the shower itself, but what about this tile? Does it need replacing?"

He pushed her gently against the wall, his lips finding her neck. The cool tile contrasted with his hot mouth, making her gasp. "I think it works perfectly well," he murmured against her skin, "but I'm open to suggestions."

"I have several," she said, her breath catching as his hands explored her body, one cupping her breast, thumb circling her nipple until it hardened almost painfully. His other hand slid between her thighs, finding her already slick with desire despite the shower's spray.

His fingers explored her folds with deliberate patience, circling her entrance before dipping inside. Jane's head fell back against the tile as he curled his fingers to hit that perfect spot, her hips bucking involuntarily against his hand. “I like your ideas too though, she moaned.”

"You're so wet," he growled against her throat, adding a second finger as his thumb found her clit. "So perfect."

“We are in the shower, after all,” she murmured. Jane's breath came in short gasps as tension built within her, but she wanted more. She pushed gently against his chest until he stepped back, confusion flashing briefly across his face before she dropped to her knees before him.

Water streamed down over them both as she took him in her hand, stroking the impressive length of him. His cock twitched in her grasp, thick and hard and perfect. She looked up, meeting his amber eyes as she slowly took him into her mouth.

Alex groaned, his hand tangling in her wet hair as she worked him with her tongue, taking him deeper with each bob of her head. The taste of him, masculine and uniquely his, made her core throb with need. She hollowed her cheeks, sucking harder as her hand worked what wouldn't fit in her mouth.

"Jane," he warned, his voice strained. "I won't last if you keep that up."

She released him with a final swirl of her tongue, and in one fluid motion, he pulled her to her feet and turned her to face the wall. His hands gripped her hips as she braced herself against the tile, arching her back to present herself to him.

The blunt head of his cock teased her entrance, gathering her wetness before he began to push inside. The stretch of him was exquisite, filling her completely as he sank to the hilt with one slow thrust.

"God, Alex," she gasped, pressing back against him. "You feel incredible."

“As do you my mate, but you will have to forgive me. We aren’t getting much planning done...”

“That’s okay,” she said, breathless between the deep thrusts of his hard shaft, “I anticipate it will take many sessions like this to firm up our plans...”

“Agreed,” he responded breathily as he began to move even faster, his grip tightening on her flesh, each thrust deliberate and deep. One hand left her hip to reach around, fingers finding her clit as he increased his pace. The dual stimulation had her climbing rapidly toward release, her inner walls clenching around his thickness.

"Yes, Jane," he encouraged, his voice rough with passion. "Let go for me."

As if I have a choice.

She would have laughed it she wasn’t practically delirious from the onslaught of carnal pleasure. The feeling of his thick hardness driving into her again and again was beyond intoxicating. She pressed against him as hard as he could, loving the feel of his taut muscular frame clapping against her soft, yielding ass.

His thrusts became harder, faster, the sound of wet skin slapping against wet skin echoing in the steamy bathroom. Jane felt her dragon rising, an unexpected, but not unpleasant feeling. Not unpleasant at all. If anything, it was like a brand-new sensitivity, unlocking another realm of pleasure. Her eyes burned with inner fire as Alex shifted his angle, hitting a spot that made stars explode behind her eyelids. He was slamming into her harder than ever, again and again.

She came with a cry that might have been his name, her pussy contracting rhythmically around him. Alex growled in response; his own release seemingly triggered by hers. He drove into her one final time, holding deep as he pulsed inside her, filling her completely with his hot seed.

For a moment, they remained joined, both trembling with aftershocks. When he finally slipped from her body, she felt a trickle of his thick cum running down her inner thigh, quickly washed away by the shower's spray.

"That was..." Jane began, then laughed softly when she noticed the damage. "I think we might have cracked a tile."

She looked down to see a small fracture in the tile where Alex's fist had slammed into it. "Definitely needs renovation now."

They showered between kisses and lingering touches, Jane marveling at how comfortable she felt with him now. After everything they'd been through—the kidnapping, the revelations, the battle—this felt like coming home.

Alex wrapped her in a plush towel before leading her toward the tub.

"Round two?" Jane asked, raising an eyebrow as he began filling the deep soaking tub.

"I believe you mentioned wanting to fully explore the bathroom's potential," he replied, dropping bath salts into the rising water.

The scent of sandalwood filled the air, and Jane dropped her towel with newfound confidence, stepping into the tub. The warm water embraced her, soothing her pleasantly sore muscles. "You know, for someone who claimed not to spend much time at home, you have excellent taste in bath products."

"I'm a dragon," Alex said, joining her in the water. "We appreciate the finer things."

Jane moved to straddle him in the tub, water sloshing over the sides as she settled against him, feeling him hardening beneath her again. His cock pressed against her still-sensitive folds, making her shiver with anticipation. "Like me?"

“Oh, I see,” he said as he kissed her lips. “I suppose if you insist,” he then added, before taking her breasts in his hands and starting to nibble on her nipples.

She threw her head back at the ecstasy that coursed through her once again.

His hands found her hips, steadying her as their eyes locked. The intensity in his gaze made her breath catch.

"But you know you're not a 'thing' to be appreciated, Jane. You're my mate, my equal, my partner. You're everything to me."

The vulnerability in his voice made her heart swell. This powerful alien warrior, this dragon shifter who had traveled between worlds to save Earth, was looking at her like she was the most precious thing in the universe.

She leaned forward to kiss him gently, overwhelmed by emotion. "I better be.” Then, with deliberate slowness, she lifted her hips and guided him inside her again. This time, their coupling was unhurried, intimate. She rose and fell on his length, maintaining eye contact as they moved together in the warm water.

His hands roamed her body, cupping her breasts, thumbs teasing her nipples. When he leaned forward to take one peak into his mouth, Jane gasped, arching into him. The gentle suction of his lips combined with the slight scrape of teeth sent jolts of pleasure straight to her core.

"When did you know?" she asked breathlessly as she continued to ride him. "That I was your mate?"

"You already know the answer to that,” he breathed in between more kisses.

“I want to hear it again,” she replied as she ran her fingers through his wet hair.

“I think I knew from the moment you crashed into me on the street," Alex replied. "And then I fought it because... it seemed impossible. Too perfect. And you?"

Jane smiled, loving to go over what she thought of as their ‘origin story’, again and again. “Obviously I knew when you locked me in that cabin," she said as she continued to gently grind against his shaft.

"Is that so?” Alex raised an eyebrow, his hands guiding her hips to a rhythm that had them both gasping.

“Of course, clearly I was something very precious that needed to be protected,” she clarified with a breathy laugh.

“Right, I like this version...”

“But it’s true, isn’t it?”

“It is,” he said, and she knew he meant it.

"But in truth, something in me—my dragon, I guess—recognized you as well, even then. It's why I was so hurt when I thought you were a monster."

Alex brushed a wet strand of hair from her face, his touch impossibly gentle even as he thrust up into her again. "And now?"

"Now I know you're my monster," she said, her smile turning wicked as she clenched deliberately around him, feeling him throb inside her. "And I wouldn't have it any other way."

She slowed her movements for a moment, looking into his eyes. "So, I've been wondering about something. I don’t pretend to know much about this stuff. After all, you are my first dragon shifter, but from what I remember, um...in all the stories about, like werewolves and shifters, and other, um, ‘mythological’ beasts, there's always a... claiming ritual. Something that makes it official. And I thought I heard the other girls talk about it too." She idly splashed water on his chest, feeling a little embarrassed to be so bold to broach this topic. "Is that really a thing? Is there some special ceremony? Or am I already thoroughly claimed?"

A new intensity filled his gaze. "We do have a claiming tradition. I've been waiting for the right moment." His voice deepened, taking on a resonant quality that seemed to vibrate through the water surrounding them. "I wanted you to be certain. To be absolutely sure you want it."

"I've never been more certain of anything, you big dummy," she whispered, feeling her dragon stir in anticipation even as she could already feel him increasing the pace of his thrusts inside her.

Alex's eyes darkened with desire as his hands gripped her hips firmly, guiding her movements as she rode him. The water sloshed rhythmically around them, spilling over the edges.

"I claim you, Jane Donovan," he said, his voice growing rougher with each thrust. "As my mate, now and forever."

The words vibrated through her body, igniting something primal within her. Her dragon responded immediately, surging forward with recognition.

"Yes," she gasped, her movements becoming frantic. "Make me yours."

"My dragon to your dragon," he growled, pulling her down harder onto his cock. "My heart to your heart," he said as he drove into her almost savagely. She moaned aloud as she stretched again around his thickness.

"My soul to your soul," she finished instinctively, the words coming from somewhere deep inside, as she grabbed at his shoulders as she felt her pleasure again building.

Deep inside she could feel a subtle but unmistakable shift between them—a connection solidifying, strengthening, becoming unbreakable. Their pace became desperate, driven not only by their carnal need and desire but by an ancient instinct bigger than either one of them.

"Mine," Alex roared as his release overtook him. Jane felt his hot seed shoot deep inside her again, triggering her own explosive climax.

In that moment of shared ecstasy, their dragons seemed to merge, dancing together in spiritual union. Scales rippled briefly beneath both their skin, and the water around them actually steamed from the energy they released.

With that she turned to lie against him as he collapsed together in the steaming water. He cradled her as she lay her back against his chest, both of them trembling with the aftershocks of their lovemaking. Jane felt a new awareness of him beyond the physical—a connection that felt unbreakable.

After some time had passed, she finally spoke a single word, “Wow.”

“Wow indeed, my love,” he mouthed before kissing her gently on the shoulder. “I will always know where you are now, Jane, and always be here to protect you.

“Works for me,” she nuzzled against him. “But really, I just wanted to be sure we got all the formalities out of the way...”

He laughed softly. “We have certainly done that love. We are truly mated now, in every sense, now and forever.”

“Did you say, ‘love’?” she asked.

“I did, is that okay?” he asking kissing her softly on the shoulder again. “Because you know I love you with all my heart, my little gecko-dragon.”

She laughed contentedly, her heart bursting with warmth. “And I love you, my big bad dragon, um dragon.”

She snuggled even deeper into his embrace, if that was even possible.

Eventually, as the hot water began to cool, they made their way to his bed, collapsing in a tangle of damp limbs and satisfied sighs. Jane curled against Alex's chest, listening to his heartbeat once again. It was quickly becoming her favorite thing to do.

"So," she mumbled as sleep began to claim her, "about those tiles..."

She felt his chest rumble with laughter as he pulled her closer. "Tomorrow. We have all the time in the world now."

As Jane drifted off in his arms, she marveled at how dramatically her life had changed in just a few weeks. From FBI agent investigating a cult to dragon shifter saving the world. From suspicious captive to beloved mate.

And somehow, despite all the chaos and danger, all the misunderstandings and revelations, she had found exactly where she belonged.

Her last thought before sleep claimed her was a sense of overwhelming gratitude—for her dragon, for this new world she'd discovered, and most of all, for Alex, her unlikely captor turned mate, who had somehow managed to set her free.