Page 17 of Pooch Planet

Chapter Seven

Something pierced the haze of Antoine’s fury, and he recognized it as his mate’s anguish-filled voice. He released the target of his rage and the lucky bastard landed on the floor with a thunk. Lucky, because Antoine’s fingers had almost been permanently embedded in his throat.

The shifter who had dared to go after his mate writhed on the ground, choking and gasping as he attempted to speak. Antoine’s interest level in what the creep had to say was zilch. All he cared about was whether Benji had been harmed.

Antoine stepped over the still croaking shifter and carefully approached Benji. His friend’s eyes were rounded, and he’d pressed himself against the back wall as if in fear for his life. The realization that he’d effectively terrorized the very village he’d been sent to protect hit him like a shower of meteors.

Benji would probably never want to go near him again.

To Antoine’s surprise, Benji jumped into his arms and clung to his neck. “Thank you, Antoine. I really thought this time he was going to…” He hiccupped on a sob. “Just…thank you for saving me from him.”

Hearing Benji say out loud what Antoine had feared sparked another round of anger inside him, but he shoved it to the side. The moment was about soothing his mate, not pummeling Benji’s attacker.

Antoine wrapped his arms around Benji then whispered in his ear. “I won’t let anyone hurt you, I promise.”

Benji gave him a desperate hug and pressed his cheek to Antoine’s chest. Antoine became aware of the commotion behind him, and without releasing Benji, turned around to face what he was certain would be the town’s wrath. He expected he’d have a lot of explaining to do to Commander Ward once the report of the incident got back to the Notre Dame.

To his surprise, other than the brute’s buddies—who glared at Antoine as they helped the guy to his feet—the patrons behind the group were laughing and mocking Benji’s attacker.

“He showed you!”

“Now you know what it feels like to be pushed around!”

“You’re an idiot, Butch!”

Antoine whispered to Benji, “Can I put you down now?”

Benji sighed. “I guess.”

Antoine arched his eyebrows in surprise. “Just for now. I need to diffuse this situation and make my apologies.”

“Apologize for what?” Benji’s friend snickered. “That was awesome. Butch has been hassling Benji for a long time and bullying half the town since the day he discovered he was an Alpha. Maybe now he’ll think twice.”

Even though Antoine had lowered Benji to his feet, Benji remained plastered to his side. Antoine draped an arm around Benji’s shoulders in reassurance. He regarded Benji’s friend.

“Is there anything he’s done that would necessitate him being brought up on charges?”

Benji’s friend shrugged. “Probably. But the sheriff and mayor around here don’t pay much attention to the village issues. It takes something like a poodle slaughter, something that might affect them, before they’ll take action.”

Antoine gritted his teeth. “I’ll be bringing that information to the Federation. Once this menace has been handled, that will be the next problem we tackle. No one gets to be in a position of power without fulfilling their duty.”

Benji’s friend nodded, his eyebrows pinched together in a severe expression. “Exactly. A lot of us have had enough of being treated like we’re nothing by these top dogs.”

Antoine smiled. Maybe he could do something good for the village before they all left the planet. His gut tightened.

He didn’t want to think about leaving.

“What’s your name?” Antoine held out his hand. “I’m Commander Dubois, in case Benji never mentioned it.”

“Shep.” He shook Antoine’s hand. “But he only called you Antoine. I think hunky and hot was in there somewhere too.”

Shep snickered again and Benji smacked his arm. “Shep! Shut up!”

Antoine decided he liked Shep quite a lot. “Good to know.” He gave Benji’s shoulder a squeeze, but Benji had lowered his head, his cheeks stained with red. “I’ll call the platoon Lieutenant and have him send over a couple soldiers to keep an eye on things here. If Butch and his cronies decide to come back and make more trouble, then at least the patrons will be safe.

Shep grinned. “Thanks. I still have a couple beers with my name on them. Why don’t you two kids go somewhere quiet?”

He covered his mouth with one hand as if trying to smother a laugh. Antoine regarded Benji and noted the glare he was directing at his friend. Shep was right about one thing though—he and Benji did need to go somewhere quieter, but it was for the more unpleasant task of getting Benji’s witness statement.