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

CHAPTER 5

A fter three days of orientation sessions, guided meditations, and what Jane could only describe as "furry indoctrination 101," she'd seen enough. The entire setup was textbook cult methodology—create an environment of belonging, hint at deeper knowledge available only to the worthy, and foster dependency through isolation.

Check, check, and check.

Jane waited until the evening meditation session was in full swing, the low hum of Cindy's soothing voice guiding the group through their "animal connection" exercises. She slipped away, muttering something about her stomach and the bathroom to the recruit nearest her.

That should buy me some time.

"Well, this is what you signed up for," she whispered to herself as she made her way down the restricted hallway, heart pounding. The recruits had been explicitly told to stick to designated areas, which of course only intensified her determination to see what lay beyond.

Security was surprisingly minimal—a simple lockset on a closed door yielded easily to her training. The FBI didn't teach lockpicking for nothing.

"Bingo," Jane murmured as the door clicked open, revealing a darkened room beyond. She slipped inside, pulling the penlight from her pocket and sweeping it across the space.

The beam illuminated a wall-sized map dotted with colored pins and strange symbols. She moved closer, eyes widening. The map showed not just the United States, but the entire world, with clusters of markings concentrated in specific regions.

"What do we have here?”

Jane pulled out her phone and began taking photos, careful to capture every detail. Along one wall stood a row of filing cabinets. She eased open the nearest drawer and found folders labeled with animal names: "Bear," "Wolf," "Tiger," "Jaguar," "Dragon."

She slid out the "Dragon" folder, flipping it open. Inside were detailed illustrations, historical-looking documents written in symbols she didn't recognize, and what appeared to be a ritual guide of some kind.

"Shifting Protocols for Phase 2 Initiates," she read aloud, photographing each page. "Connection to the Dragon Within: Advanced Techniques."

It was worse than she'd thought. Not just a typical cult, but some kind of elaborate pagan fantasy world they were constructing—complete with mythologies, rituals, and what looked like hierarchies of animals. Classic cult structure with a furry twist.

She flipped the page and found what appeared to be a map of... what? Some sort of star pattern. Astrology? Different planets? Obviously more of the fictional mythology they had created. And at the bottom, a note: "Portal Networks (Discoveries so far)."

"Portal networks?" Jane muttered, snapping another photo. "These people are out there."

Now she just needed to figure out where it all led. Perhaps financial abuse? They hook them and then drain the bank accounts?”

Or maybe sexual exploitation?

She was so absorbed that she didn't hear the footsteps until it was too late. The door clicked open, flooding the room with light from the hallway.

"What are you doing in here?"

Alex's voice, low and dangerous, sent a jolt through her that wasn't entirely fear. She spun around, instinctively pocketing her phone even as she scrambled for a cover story.

"Alex! Mr. Security... ummm, I was just—I was looking for the bathroom and got a little lost and the door was open," she said, trying to infuse her voice with innocent enthusiasm. "This is all so amazing! Are these the advanced materials Cindy mentioned? I'm so eager to learn more about connecting to my gecko."

His amber eyes narrowed, darting from her face to the open drawer behind her. "This door is always locked, and you're in a clearly marked restricted area."

"Oh! Locked? No, it just opened...and I must have misunderstood," Jane said, inching toward the exit. "I thought Cindy said?—"

"Cindy said nothing of the sort." Alex stepped fully into the room, blocking her path. "What are you doing in here?”

Jane's stomach dropped. He wasn’t buying any of it.

“I was just lost, I told you...”

“Enough, what kind of fool do you take me for? I saw you taking pictures.”

"I was just so excited," she tried, but even to her own ears the excuse sounded hollow. "I wanted to show my friends back home?—"

"No more lies." He took a step closer, and Jane's back hit the file cabinet. "You're not some eager furry looking for community. Your questions are too pointed. Your 'excitement' too practiced."

Jane made a split-second decision. She'd need the element of surprise. She lunged to the side, aiming for the gap between his body and the doorframe.

Alex moved with shocking speed. His arm shot out, catching her around the waist and spinning her back against the wall. The impact knocked the breath from her lungs, and before she could recover, he had her pinned, one large hand on her shoulder, his body effectively caging her in.

The impact against the wall stole her breath, but it was the raw heat of his body against hers that truly shocked her senses.

Oh boy.... now you are screwed...

His face, a mask of predatory intensity, loomed inches away, those amber eyes fixed intently on her. His hips pressed against hers as he pinned her in. She could feel his ... his arousal?

Oh boy oh boy.

Yeah, that’s what it is alright. Its undeniable presence sent a jolt of unwanted electricity through her core. Her nipples tightened, aching against her shirt, betraying her excitement. His taut muscles, like bands of steel, held her captive, the heat radiating from his body seeping into her skin. She could feel the pulse of his strength, the sheer power he held over her, and a forbidden thrill.

Damn it, body. Not now.

"Let me go," she hissed, fighting both him and her own traitorous responses.

"Not until you tell me who you are and who sent you," he growled.

Jane struggled against his grip, which only resulted in her body sliding against his in ways that made focus nearly impossible. He was impossibly strong, holding her with minimal effort despite her training.

"I could hurt you," she threatened, though they both knew it was empty.

"You could try." Was that a hint of amusement in his eyes? The arrogance was infuriating.

More than amusement. He’s laughing at you.

His free hand moved over her, firm and insistent. He wasn't asking. Each touch sent a jolt. He rifled through her pockets, rough and impersonal. His fingers lingered too long at her hip, the threat against her sensitive flesh making her tense. He held her in place, his thigh a brick wall against hers, making her want to squirm.

Jane renewed her struggles, but it was too late. Alex flipped open the leather holder, his expression shifting from suspicion to shock as he read:

"Special Agent Jane Donovan , Federal Bureau of Investigation." His eyes snapped back to hers. "Your name is not Lucy. Bureau of Investigation? That is government, yes? Police?"

"Hell yes, police!” she erupted.

Where the hell is this guy from?

“And you're in serious trouble," she continued, abandoning all pretense. "This little cult operation is over."

Something flickered across his face—not fear or guilt, but something closer to... exasperation?

"Cult?" he repeated, sounding genuinely bemused. "Is that what you think this is?"

"Don’t tell me you’re some sort of true believer?" Jane countered. "I don’t buy it. Recruiting vulnerable people with promises of 'transformation,' creating elaborate mythologies about shapeshifting and portals? It's textbook manipulation. Damn right, and I don’t just think . I know this is a cult."

"The little gecko is out hunting? I see now.” Alex muttered, almost to himself. She could see him processing, calculating. Whatever he was, he wasn't just some brainwashed follower.

So, what is he?

"Then enlighten me. Don’t tell me, there’s an apocalypse coming... and you hold the only key to survival... or maybe eternal life?" Jane challenged.

He laughed aloud this time.

“Not a bad guess - for a tiny lizard.”

Oh, but if she could just get in one good kick to the nuts!

She tried to squirm away again, but he only tightened his grip...and pulled her in closer. So close in fact, she could feel his hard core pressed against her hard flesh. "My team will come looking for me when I miss check-in."

Of course, she knew that was bullshit... but she wasn’t above a bluff.

Carlson wasn't expecting anything for at least three more days, and her father probably wouldn't start worrying for a week. But Alex didn't need to know that.

"Do I look worried," he said with a smile.

No, he doesn’t... but he is thinking...

Whatever it was, he seemed to come to a decision. He stepped back, though his hand remained firmly on her arm.

"Let's go."

"Go where?" Jane asked, instantly alarmed.

"Somewhere we can continue this conversation privately," he said, his tone leaving no room for argument as he guided her firmly toward the door.

Jane considered her options as he led her down a back hallway and out a side exit. She could try to break free, but his grip was like iron. And she had already tried that. Twice. Better to wait, gather intelligence. Hopefully an opening would appear. When it did, she needed to be ready.

She considered calling out, but instantly realized that was pointless.

I’m on their home turf. I’m the enemy here.

They crossed the grounds, heading away from the main buildings toward what appeared to be an old caretaker's cabin set back among the trees. She looked around but there was no one to signal, not that it would matter, even if there was. And she didn’t like how far away he was taking her. His tight grip became vice-like as they crossed the open area.

“Don’t even think about it.” He voice had taken on the feel of iron as well. She decided not to test him. The compound was much bigger than she had realized stretching back into woods at the back. The structure they were approaching was weathered but solid-looking.

Too solid.

"What is this place?" Jane asked as he unlocked the door.

The frustratingly substantial door she noted as her alarm went up another notch.

Keep your head, Janie. Observe your surroundings. Observe, observe, observe.

Right.

"Temporary accommodations," Alex replied curtly, guiding her inside. “Til I decide what to do with you.”

She didn’t like the sound of that, but she stuffed down her anxiety.

The cabin was basic but clean—a bed, a table with two chairs, a small kitchenette, and a door she assumed led to a bathroom. Better than the cell she'd half-expected, but a prison nonetheless.

"You had better not be planning on locking me in here. That would be kidnapping of a federal agent," Jane said, turning to face him as he locked the door behind them. "That's a serious offense."

"And you were trespassing and attempting to steal confidential information," Alex countered. "But whatever you just said are the least of my concerns right now. Or yours for that matter."

She was thrown again. He was not bothered in the least by her words. It was a little unnerving. Most criminals at least displayed some mock bravado when you started talking about the law.

But he dismissed it entirely.

She did her best to play off her mounting anxieties.

"And what do you know of my concerns?" Jane laughed bitterly. "What are you talking about? I’m not the one breaking multiple federal laws. My only real concerns right now are about just how deep your delusions run. My people will find me, and when they do, they will be putting you away for a long time."

Alex ran a hand through his dark hair, frustration evident in every line of his powerful body. "Delusions, huh?" He shook his head. "I wish what we all face were delusions. You have no idea what you are talking about...Jane."

The sincerity in his voice caught her off guard. He didn't sound like a manipulative cult leader. He sounded like someone carrying an impossible burden.

“What do you-“

"I'll be back later," he said abruptly, cutting her off mid-sentence. "There's food in the fridge. Don't bother trying to escape—the doors and windows are reinforced, and you will probably chip a nail trying. We wouldn’t want that."

Before she could think up a witty retort, he was gone, the lock clicking definitively behind him.

Dammit! Chip a nail.

Did he really just say that!

I’ll show him a chipped nail.

The way you showed him what’s what when he had you pinned against the wall?

And tingle rippled through her at the thought.

So much for all her FBI training.

God, was he strong.

And hard. Those muscles.

Stop it Janie... Jeez...what, are you developing Stockholm Syndrome already? After what? Thirty seconds?

No... She had felt the heat the moment she had bumped into him...

Enough.

She tried to focus on her immediate problem. She was imprisoned. But it didn’t take long to realize there was no escape. No knives in the kitchenette. The stove didn’t even work. And no matches. She would just have to wait to see what he had in mind for her next.

These people were nuts alright.

And more dangerous than she had imagined.

What the hell was that map? And portals?

This made her sister’s obsession with crystals and chakras seem downright benign.

And him. Alex... A strange, insistent pulse still throbbed low in her belly, a confusing mix of fear and undeniable heat...

She fell back onto the bed... wondering when mister tall dark and hostile...and super freaking hot...would return.

And what he might do to me when he does...