Page 18 of Pooch Planet

Antoine let Benji go once they left the relative privacy of the bathroom, not sure how a Federation gargoyle being affectionate toward a dog shifter would be received. No need to put Benji in an awkward situation. He couldn’t help but notice, however, that Benji hadn’t moved away from him. Instead, he was right at his heel as Antoine made his way to the bartender.

Antoine reached the spot at the counter he’d been at earlier, his untouched drink right where he’d left it. He sighed at the bartender’s wary expression.

“I apologize for the disruption. If there are any costs associated with the incident this evening, please let the sheriff know, and the Federation will reimburse you.”

The shifter pinched his eyebrows together. “Does that mean that Butch and his gang are banned from coming here anymore?”

“Of course not. The Federation wouldn’t presume to tell you who you can or can’t patronize your bar.”

His features fell. “Oh. Guess I’m stuck with them then.”

The slight press of Benji’s frame against the back of Antoine’s arm distracted him for a second. He avoided the gawking from the other shifters and noted how the room had become unusually quiet. Why Benji was being so obvious, he couldn’t imagine. Antoine feared that once he had to leave Benji behind, whatever gossip got shared through the village would haunt Benji for a long time.

He returned his attention to the bartender. “Why would you be stuck with them? Can’t you simply ban them yourself?”

“They don’t care. They’ll come in anyway and make my life a living misery for daring to talk back to them in the first place. And the sheriff won’t do anything either, I’ve tried. The last time Butch and his gang got drunk and in a fight, they busted up a bunch of tables and chairs in here. When I complained, the sheriff told me not to bother him unless someone was dead.”

Antoine’s irritation toward the village’s authorities had already been bubbling under the surface, but now it was growing even stronger. The Federation would need to do a thorough investigation of the village’s power structure once the killer was caught.

“That’s unacceptable. I’m calling in two Federation soldiers—one for the inside and one outside—to make sure there are no more problems from Butch. Then, before we leave the planet, we’ll make sure there are systems in place to keep this from happening again. For now, I need to take this witness—who is practically crawling up my back—for an interview. Is there anything else you need before I go?”

The bartender shook his head vigorously, his lips pulled in a smile. “No, nothing else.” He held out his hand and Antoine shook it. “Thanks a bunch. I was thinking about closing the bar because I didn’t think I could take it anymore.”

“You’re welcome. We’ll do the best we can to help with any leadership issues the village has.”

The bartended snorted. “You might end up staying here a lot longer than you’d planned, then. There are plenty of issues to deal with.”

Antoine gave the bartender a quick nod, then turned to leave. Benji let out a sharp yelp and Antoine gasped.

“Dammit, did I step on you?”

“S’kay.” Benji winced while hopping on one foot. “I shouldn’t’ve been standing so close.”

A smattering of chuckles sounded around the room. Antoine pursed his lips, not amused that others were laughing at his—at Benji’s pain.

“I apologize, Benji. I should’ve been paying closer attention. Here, let me help you.” Antoine hooked an arm beneath Benji’s. “Lean on me for support.”

A chorus of ‘oooooohs’ filled the air and Antoine worried that he might be causing Benji trouble with his fellow villagers. He tried to loosen his hold, but Benji clung tighter. Finally, Antoine decided to go with it, but also determined they’d need to have a conversation after the interview. A very serious conversation.

* * * *

Benji squirmed in a wooden chair while he waited for Antoine in the small interview room at the village’s sheriff station. Sure, the chair was uncomfortable, the hard surface impossible to relax in, but that was the least of his worries. The real issue was that his heat was getting stronger. He hadn’t quite gotten to the point where he’d be begging Antoine to fuck him raw, but he imagined that delightful phase of the process was looming.

Benji dropped his head in his hands. The whole village must know by now that his heat had been triggered by a gargoyle. A G-Force detective, no less. The display Benji had put on in the Bone & Tail had made his condition rather obvious. Now that he knew Antoine was his fated mate, Benji hadn’t been able to hold back from following him around in the Chiweenie way. The compulsion to remain as near as he could to Antoine at all times, comforted by the realization that his Alpha was next to him, had been impossible to quell.

However, Benji doubted that gargoyle omegas behaved the same way. Even other dog shifter breeds didn’t develop as close of an attachment as Chiweenies—and a few of the other breeds—did when they found their true Alpha. He couldn’t imagine how annoying that would be to a busy G-Force Federation detective.

What a mess.

“Sorry to keep you waiting, Benji.”

Benji glanced up and noted the concern highlighting Antoine’s features. He held out a glass of water to Benji that he’d brought in with him.

“Are you feeling sick?”

Benji accepted the drink with gratitude. “Just…a lot on my mind.” He squirmed again.

Antoine cleared his throat then averted his eyes before taking the chair across from Benji, the small table creating at least somewhat of a barrier between them.