Page 40 of Pooch Planet

Benji charged at him, snuffled underneath the cover edge, then nosed it out of the way to get to Antoine’s shoulder. He licked furiously, sometimes pausing for a gentle gnaw, before going back to licking.

Antoine couldn’t help but pet his affectionate mate, charmed by how loving Benji was—whether a human or Chiweenie.

“Knock, knock.” There was a slight pause before the doctor pushed the curtain aside. “How are you feeling this morning?”

Benji stopped licking and started to pull away but Antoine held him fast like an Old Earth football. He wasn’t about to let the doctor see him naked.

“Much better. When can I get these tubes out of me and get back to work? I have a case to wrap up.”

The doctor pursed his lips. “Not today. We need to monitor your blood, verify that it remains free of poison. You also have the wound to consider. Even though I used the most advanced laser on the market, the liver needs a chance to assist in the process by naturally healing.”

“Then give me some miracle drug or another. I can’t lie around all day. How will that look to my investigators when their Commander is being lazy?”

The doctor crossed his arms and Benji whimpered. He wiggled as if trying to break free of Antoine’s hold.

Antoine moved closer and whispered, “Just give me a couple more minutes, then you can shift when the doctor leaves.”

Benji’s body vibrated with a low growl. Antoine sighed. He wasn’t about to start treating his omega the way some Alphas did, as if Benji had to bow to Antoine’s supreme power in their relationship.

“Fine.” He lowered his voice some more. “But keep your back turned while you shift and put on the robe immediately.”

Benji snorted then gave him a lick. Antoine released his hold and the doctor cleared his throat.

“I take it your omega is about to weigh in on things?”

Antoine smirked. “Apparently.”

The tiny dog morphed into a human in less than five seconds, and to Antoine’s satisfaction, had yanked the robe around his small frame even quicker.

Antoine sucked in a breath to speak, but Benji cut him off.

“Don’t you dare go against the doctor’s orders!”

“Sweetheart…”

“Oh no, no way. Don’t you sweetheart me, gargoyle.” Benji wagged his finger at Antoine. “I won’t lose my Alpha after he’s survived a vicious bat demon battle because he’s afraid he’ll look lazy in front of his fellow G-Force members!”

“Benji, that’s enough. I’m not going to take any unnecessary risks.” Antoine glanced between the smug doctor and his scowling mate. “All right, fine. I’ll stay in bed and rest, under one condition. Someone needs to bring in Tully, the lieutenant and a portable comm device so I can report to Commander Ward. Then, I’ll be a good little gargoyle and not move an inch.” He winked at Benji. “How’s that?”

Benji’s features softened. “Thank you. I’ll even keep your feet warm.” He chewed his lip and squirmed. “But right now, I have to pee.”

Antoine chuckled. “Carry on. I’ll let the doctor poke and prod, but on your way back, could you let Tully know I need a line to the Notre Dame?”

“Yup.” Benji gave him a thumbs up then raced from the room.

While Benji was gone and the doctor performed his exam, Antoine mulled over the events of the night before. The first thing he wanted to do was have Tully investigate the rock face behind the waterfall. He was almost a hundred percent sure that the vampire had been returning to his lair to hide and heal, but when he’d spotted Benji, his bloodlust had taken over. Antoine shuddered over how close Benji had come to being bat food. But he had also probably distracted the vampire long enough for Antoine to deal the final death blow.

Tully appeared from behind the heavy curtain at the entrance of Antoine’s room. “Hey.” He gave Antoine a tentative smile. “It’s great to see you sitting up.” He darted his eyes to the doctor then back to Antoine. “Everything all good now?”

Antoine’s first reaction was to roll his eyes, but then he gave himself a mental slap. Tully’s only concern was Antoine’s wellbeing, so he didn’t need to be an asshole about it. At least his team cared.

Antoine smiled back. “It seems that way.”

The doctor interjected, “As long as he stays in bed for a couple more days.”

Antoine huffed, turning to the doctor. “You said one!”

“To start with.”

Antoine knew when he was beat. He regarded Tully. “Have you reported to Commander Ward yet?”

“I have. Oh, and Renard was there, too. He’d just returned to the Notre Dame with his squadron. He sends his best wishes. Anyway, we’ve also investigated the waterfall area that Benji told us about, and it’s clear that was where that thing was hiding this whole time. The opening was small enough that only a bat could get through, perfect for concealing its whereabouts in addition to the shield of the water.”

“Why is it clear that was his lair?”

Tully wrinkled his nose. “Bits of bones and tufts of fur.”

Antoine was relieved Benji wasn’t in the room. “All right. Well, after I check in with Commander Ward, I say we let King Vlad know he needs to keep better tabs on his psycho subjects, unless he wants his vamp planet to be populated by nothing but incinerated bat dust.”

“Yes, sir.” Tully grinned, his expression enthusiastic.

Antoine narrowed his eyes. “What?”

“Glad to see you back to your usual, jolly self.”

This time, Antoine did roll his eyes.