Page 16 of Pooch Planet

With a sigh, Antoine faced the bar and proceeded to make quick work of his mug of beer. When he let his gaze wander to the mirror in front of him that extended the length of the bar area, he spotted Benji and Shep disappearing behind a door in the very back. He surmised they’d gone into the bathroom, which only worried Antoine more.

What if his little shifter was sick?

“I’m going to be sick.” Benji covered his face with his hands.

Thank the heavens no one else was in the bathroom because he needed a moment. Or twelve. An escape plan would be good too.

“Quit being so dramatic.” Shep peeled Benji’s fingers from his eyes. “What happened? You were with him for all of thirty seconds.”

Benji let out a whimper. “It seemed like an hour.”

Shep rolled his eyes. “Oh please. Now tell me what happened before I pee myself.”

“I’m doomed.” Benji sniffed as a tear rolled down his face. “Not only did the trembles start up right away, but I’m slick.”

Shep’s jaw dropped. “Holy doo-doos! Like, really, really slick? Or maybe-you’re-just imagining-it’ slick?”

Benji pursed his lips. “This-has-never-happened-to-me-before slick, okay? How the hell should I know what’s a lot or not? I’ve never been in heat!”

The door to the bathroom burst open and Butch loomed in the doorway with a leer. “You’re in heat, baby?” He grinned. “Got induced for me, huh? I knew it, playing hard to get the whole time.” He grabbed Benji’s arm. “Let’s go find some garbage cans to hump behind and make us some puppies.”

Benji cried out as Butch’s grip tightened, with Shep slapping at Butch’s hands and screaming for help. A second later, Butch’s eyes bulged as he released his hold, and Benji went tumbling to the ground.

“Get your paws off of him, you filthy mongrel!”

Antoine’s eyes blazed red, his skin taking on the appearance of stone with his tail whipping around behind him, smacking the door jamb and knocking off bits of wood with each whack.

“Don’t kill him, Antoine! Please!” Benji pleaded.

As Antoine squeezed harder, his teeth bared and spittle forming at his lips, Benji feared the worst.

“I’m begging you Antoine! Let him go!”