Page 30 of Pooch Planet

“Okay, then talk to him. Make sure he’s as interested as you are, otherwise, who knows who you’ll end up mating with once your heat kicks in.”

Shep snorted. “That’s for sure.” He gave a sharp nod. “It’s decided then. I’ll ask him tonight.”

Benji’s lips tugged into a smile. “Good. I’m glad.”

Shep brightened again with his own smile. “Welp, that’s settled. When can I drag this stuff over to my place?”

Benji tipped back his head, staring up at the ceiling as if it would give him strength. Shep could wear him out at times. He regarded his buddy.

“Could you at least wait until I officially leave?”

Shep nodded, waving his hand around. “Oh, sure, sure. Take your time.”

“You’re a real pal. Shep.”

Shep blew on his knuckles then rubbed them along his shirt. “I know.”

Benji chuckled and hopped off the stool. “I was about to make an energy brew. Interested?”

“Totally. Make me a double of one of those bad boys.”

As Benji went about his task, his thoughts drifted to Antoine. He couldn’t wait to see him later. Now that Antoine had made it clear to the Federation that Benji was his fated omega, he would be helping Benji move his essential items to Antoine’s quarters at base camp.

From now on, he’d belong to Antoine.

* * * *

“Nothing? What about this area?” Antoine pointed to a local, rocky mountain range on the holographic map. “I deemed this location high priority.” He regarded Tully, whom he’d put in charge of leading the search. “Have all the mountain faces been checked? What about the shifters who hunt for goats up there? Have any new ones come forward since you spoke with the initial group?”

The search for the elusive demon had stretched into a week and Antoine was becoming increasingly frustrated. Thankfully, there’d been no more attacks, but a vampire couldn’t possibly go without fresh blood for much longer. Time was working against them.

Tully nodded. “Four more came forward. One was from an outlying farmer who’s been temporarily spending their nights at a village inn. Up until the attacks, he would go in the foothills to pick berries, or hunt raccoons. There were at least two outcroppings he used to take shade under when he’d stop for lunch. He now says he doubts he’ll ever go back again.”

Antoine rubbed his forehead. He’d had a pounding headache all day. In addition, now that he’d mated with Benji, he was suffering through the new mating fever. All he could think about was holding his omega, kissing his omega, protecting his omega, fucking his omega—he was on the edge of a major freak out.

Things would level out eventually, but the mere fact that he couldn’t spend the time he should with Benji was going to draw out the process even more. What he needed was a break in this case before he went bat shit crazy. Antoine frowned to himself.

Not the best analogy, I suppose.

“All right.” He regarded Tully. “What’s your next move then? Because I still want that area checked again.”

“Oh, I plan to. I agree it’s our best bet.” Tully indicated the craggiest side of the range. “I’ll be sending half the troops to this section. Once they fly up there, I have soldiers stationed as guardians at the three caves we’ve already discovered. The remaining ones will continue to fly around, checking for signs of any other openings.”

“And the remaining squads?”

Tully pointed to the other side of the range. “I’ll have them begin a methodical sweep, starting at the bottom of the existing trails, then fanning out as they climb.”

Antoine rubbed his jaw. “Good. That’s a sound plan.” Antoine’s communicator beeped. He held up his wrist and spoke into the mic. “This is Commander Dubois.”

“Come to the bridge of the platoon ship immediately!”

Antoine’s gut tightened at Lieutenant Moreau’s frantic tone. “I’m on my way.” He gestured to Tully as he rushed from the command tent. “Come on!”

They tore their way across camp, Antoine’s heart thundering as he wondered if there’d been a break in the case.

Or another killing.

He, Tully and Moreau charged up the ramp then quickly made their way to the bridge. Antoine kept his features flat at the sight of King Vlad from Planet Carpathia, standing before him in a holographic image. Two other vampires flanked him—one wearing a long, dark purple jacket that was decorated with many golden medals. The male on Vlad’s other side was much smaller, delicate, his hair stark white and adorned with the small crown of a consort.