Page 27 of Pooch Planet

“Then can I come sit with you and explain the situation with Pierre?”

He gave Antoine a one-shouldered shrug. No point in acknowledging the flutters of excitement in his belly, not until he was sure Antoine wasn’t playing him. There had been rumors over the years from some of the big city dogs that gargoyles were expert players.

“I guess.” He found another stick to fiddle with.

After Antoine had carefully made his way across the river on the stepping stones, he lowered himself next to Benji then crossed his legs. Benji tried not to be too annoyed that he wasn’t sitting closer, but he supposed his anger at Antoine was making his mate keep a respectful distance.

Mate.

Sadness washed over him again. He still hadn’t heard what Antoine had to say for himself. Even though he was giving Antoine credit for going after him—which meant he’d left good ol’ Pierre behind—he didn’t want to get his hopes up too much until he had the full story.

“Thank you for giving me a chance, Benji.” Antoine’s voice was soft.

Benji turned his head, meeting Antoine’s gaze. “Is Pierre your omega?”

The pained expression on Antoine’s face made Benji’s stomach drop. However, Antoine didn’t look away.

“Please let me explain everything all the way through first, okay? I’d planned on telling you my situation tonight anyway, but I hadn’t planned on Pierre’s ambush.” Antoine pressed his lips together. “He’s been a thorn in my side since the day my father and Pierre’s father arranged our mating. I was away completing my lower levels of Academy training, and I came home to discover that an omega I’d never met before was now my intended.”

Benji straightened. “Seriously? So, Pierre isn’t fated to you?”

Antoine’s features softened again. “Of course not. You already know that’s not true, that you and I are destined, that I’m your Alpha, and you, sweet Benji, are my one and only omega.”

“So…you’ve never been with him, you know, like that?”

Antoine visibly shuddered. “Gods no. Not that he hasn’t tried.” Antoine sighed. “Let me finish explaining. I’ve never been attracted to him, have never wanted him. But I didn’t bother with fighting my father and the Federation over the contract because all I cared about was my job.”

Benji assumed Antoine had noticed his fallen expression because he clasped Benji’s hand.

“But not anymore, not since I’ve found you. Benji, finding fated mates aren’t always easy for gargoyles either. Especially if we serve in the Federation and are traveling throughout the universe. But now that I have found you? I’ll fight to the end of that universe and back. I’ll never let you go, not unless you tell me to.” He leaned in and cupped Benji’s cheek. “But please don’t tell me to.”

Benji wanted to believe him, felt in his core that Antoine was telling the truth, yet doubts still nagged at him. When he thought about the pretty Pierre, he was reminded that he was a dog shifter. A plain ol’ boring dog shifter.

“But won’t Pierre be upset and sad?”

Antoine snorted. “Oh, he definitely will. Upset and sad that he won’t marry into the prestigious Constantine Clan and have all my wealth. He’s such a schemer. As it is, he’s already been fooling around with at least one of the Federation soldiers, and who knows how many others he’s been with on Old Earth.”

Benji’s jaw dropped. “I’d heard that gargoyles were players.”

Antoine chuckled. “Now, now. Let’s not make a sweeping judgement.”

Benji’s cheeks flushed hot. “Sorry. I guess I’ve listened to a lot of gossip without ever knowing a gargoyle myself. I didn’t mean to be rude.”

“I know you didn’t, sweetheart.” He took Benji’s hand again. “But now that you do I can promise you, I’m not a player. I’m your Alpha and want to be with you always.”

Benji’s stomach had gone back to fluttering and his heart was racing. He believed Antoine.

“I want to be with you always, too.” Benji chewed on his bottom lip. “But what happens when you have to leave?”

He’d been dreading this conversation, but given the events of last night, it was time to lay everything out.

Antoine reached for him and started tugging him into his lap. “This ground is too cold for you, and I need you in my arms.”

Benji had to admit he’d been getting a tad freezy, but he was more interested in the part where he’d be held in Antoine’s embrace. He leaned his head against the hard planes of Antoine’s chest and sighed.

“I don’t know how we can make this work with you leaving.”

Antoine rubbed his back. “I wish I didn’t have to. And I don’t want to take you away from your home.”