Page 2 of Pooch Planet

Pierre made a pouty face. “I’m sorry, baby. It must be my heat making me act so rashly.” He wiggled against Antoine’s frame.

Oh shit.

They’d never been intimate the very few times they’d met in person, and while Antoine knew he’d be obligated to mate him once they were wed, he was hoping to put off the inevitable for as long as possible. He was still trying to worm his way out of the contract his father had entered him into without his permission while Antoine had been in his pre-puberty stages at early Academy training. But if he got Pierre pregnant? Then he was doomed.

The little schemer is probably counting on that.

Marrying into Antoine’s prestigious Constantine Clan was likely all his intended cared about.

He decided not to acknowledge Pierre’s remark about being in heat. “I’ll see you later for the evening meal. In the meantime, I have urgent business to handle and you need to return to the communal levels.”

Pierre flung his waist-length, blond hair over his shoulder and hmphed. “I would think your fiancé is of more importance than some silly meeting.”

Antoine growled and clenched his fists. “My duty to the Federation is not silly!”

Pierre’s eyes widened, but then he seemed to regain control. “Well, I suppose I can be a good omega and wait until later to see you.” He poked a finger in Antoine’s chest. “But as my Alpha, you’re required to tend to my needs, and I need to be fucked!”

Antoine grabbed Pierre’s arm perhaps a bit too harshly, then dragged him into the corridor. “That was very inappropriate,” He gritted out. “I will not have you interrupting me when I’m in the midst of Federation business, and furthermore, you are permanently banned from this level.”

Pierre gasped. “You can’t do that! As your omega, your duty is to care for me.” He narrowed his eyes. “I’m telling my father.”

Antoine snorted. “Good. That will give you something to do besides bothering me.”

Pierre yanked his arm from Antoine’s grasp and snarled, “What about my heat?” He flipped his hair again. “Maybe I should just go find another hunky gargoyle, one who can satisfy me.” He batted his eyelashes. “I’ve been highly sought after, you know. Yet, you were the one to win me over.”

You mean my wealth and good name won you over.

“Maybe you should. Shall I notify your father and my father that you’ve changed your mind? That you want the contract nullified? After all, I wouldn’t want to hold you back from being satisfied.”

He smiled sweetly as the clearly enraged omega clamped his lips shut with a frown, his pale skin flushing scarlet red, his mouth set in a severe line.

Pierre took a deep breath then appeared to change tactics. He hung his head and whimpered. “I don’t know why you’re being so mean to me. You know all I want is you, my love.” He lifted his gaze, his features now radiating docility. “Isn’t there something you could do to ease my suffering before the evening meal?”

Once again, he batted his eyelashes with the skill of a two-credit whore on Megiddo.

Antoine donned his own practiced smile, the one he used when he had to deal with surly suspects. “Of course. I’m not completely heartless. What size dildo would you like me to have sent up to your quarters? Small, medium or gargantuan?”

Pierre’s jaw dropped and he sputtered, “I-I… How dare you! I don’t care for your insinuations.” He crossed his arms. “After all, I’m a virgin!”

Sure you are. Antoine quirked a brow. “You mean you’ve never stuck anything up your ass before?”

Pierre stamped his foot then whirled around before marching away.

Antoine grinned. Worked like a charm.

If the heavens were truly blessing him, Pierre would still be fuming the rest of the day and night. Then, Antoine could slip away to Pooch Planet where he could investigate whatever discoveries had been made regarding the killer.

Antoine ran his palms over his hair, verifying it remained neat and in accordance with his and the Federation’s meticulous standards. He did not approve of sloppy or dirty appearances, and maintaining his own grooming was of genuine importance to him. Once he was satisfied he was in order, he made his way back into the large conference room.

“I apologize for that…unexpected outburst.”

Antoine averted his gaze as he took a seat at the head of the long, rectangular table made of a rich mahogany. He picked up his DID and opened the tab which would download the latest reports. No one had responded to his apology, so he hoped everyone had gotten the message and the incident wouldn’t be commented on.

“Sir?”

“Yes, Tully.” He set down his digital information device and glanced in his direction. “What is it?”

“I just received a video feed moments ago from Pooch Planet. One of the sheriffs of Mutt Town managed to capture our suspect on camera.”