Sold as the Alpha King’s Breeder

Chapter 29 : Oh Brother

*Lucas*

I made sure Sasha was all tucked in, then went back to my office, a slight smile on my face. We'd see who could hold out the longest. I had a sneaking suspicion Sasha was going to relent sooner rather than later.

A few papers were out of place on my desk, so I organized them, dragging my feet on what I had to do next. It wasn't as though I had any problem with Oliver, my brother, but I did worry about bringing someone–anyone–new into our little circle of orb hell.

Finally, after an hour had passed of me fiddling with things that didn't need fiddling with, I picked up the phone receiver and dialed Oliver's number.

“What's wrong?" Oliver answered without preamble. It didn't surprise me a bit that my brother was in his office at this hour. He was a very dedicated Alpha of Pack Drogomor.

“Does your poor mate ever see you?" I joked, trying to lighten the mood.

“Yes. What's wrong?" Oliver repeated.

I sighed. There was nothing to do but tell him everything.

“How do you always know when something's wrong?" I grumbled, glancing balefully at the wood panel that hid my safe.

“You don't call unless something is wrong," Oliver reminded me.

I winced. I really needed to be a better brother. “I'll work on that."

“Ahuh. So, don't keep beating around the bush, tell me what's up," Oliver said.

I swallowed. “I… well, it's a very long story...."

“Highlights."

That was Oliver. Down to business. “I'm in trouble. Me and Sasha Wentley. And… well… the people who are close to us… perhaps the world at large...."

“More details than that," Oliver demanded. “Though how you ended up with Sasha Wentley after the tormenting you gave her growing up is another tale I'd love to hear."

“Yeah, and I'll fill you in on it when we get to Drogomor," I said.

There was a short silence. “You're coming back to the Light Realm? With Sasha Wentley?"

“And maybe a few other friends," I said. “Look, we're being hunted down by a priestess from Leviss and some shifters she has under her control, not to mention...."

“You'd better start mentioning," Oliver growled.

“I found something at my job site, something I can't even bring to Alpha King Xander or Queen Lena. It's just too big a risk," I sighed.

“You found something you can't even bring to your own cousin?" Oliver protested. “Lucas, those are some dangerous words. How can you not bring something to the attention of the king?"

“Not everyone in the Alpha King's court can be trusted and… I'm… afraid of what will happen," I replied. “This thing… it's connected to Sasha somehow, and I don't know what will happen to her once experts start poking and prodding it. I think it's an artifact from the ancient Church of the White Queens. But it… it makes people disappear. Or, rather, it makes Sasha disappear."

I heard some rustling on the other end of the phone. “Hang on. I have a feeling this is going to require a brandy," Oliver grunted.

and I waited as Oliver took a long

something about Sasha Wentley disappearing?"

place. No one remembers her. I'm the

“And we aren't just throwing whatever it is into the ocean

convinced the Goddess has given her a mission having to do with the artifact. And from what she described to me, that's entirely possible. But we're also being chased by an old priestess who possesses at least a little magic, so I'm wondering if Sasha,

old priestess from Leviss," Oliver

thought of the old woman and my blood burned. She would never touch my

possessive and growly. Is Sasha Wentley your

made my insides warm,

She hasn't had her birthday

her to

and replied, “It wouldn't be the worst thing in

sleeping with

“That's not

sleeping with her," Oliver said. I could hear him

not now. She's a bit miffed over me keeping her and the artifact separated, so she's gone and decided I don't get to have any if I don't let

recall, you're

“There

swig. “You've got it bad,

rubbed the back of my neck, wondering when the exact moment had been that I'd forsaken all others for Sasha. I couldn't pinpoint a time, but I knew it was true. I didn't

So we'll have plenty

inwardly. “Yes,

I wanted to punch him, but of course I couldn't through the phone. Pity. “Oh, the things we're going to discuss, little

don't know yet if it's just going to be Sasha and me or if Brady and Phoebe will be

Brady? And who's

why this situation

welcome here." There was a clink as I imagined Oliver set his glass aside.

you'll be caught up in it, too,"

made Oliver go silent again. “Our pack is strong. If there are any outside threats, we can deal with them." He paused. “But Lucas Black, I swear to you, if something happens to my mate as a result of having that 'artifact' here, I will break

if something like that happened, I'd break my own spine," I

take it you ultimately want Mother to take a look

going to have Eliza look at it, but then it disappeared with Sasha for a day, and all Eliza could think of was that the orb has something to do with time,

You just keep Sasha away from that orb, at least until you get here and Mother can look at it," Oliver said soothingly. “Now, you go pack… or convince your probably-mate to sleep with you, or both. You sound like you need a hug from

every intention of winning this little war between us. Even if it

you when you get here. Take precautions. I don't

“I'll try to stop

me a lot to think about, little brother. We'll discuss

you, Oliver," I responded, relieved he was going to take

welcome." The line

me to get my own glass of something strong, but I wanted to stay sharp, just in case, by some evil magic, the old priestess

hour, I left my office and returned to my bedroom,

down next to her and ran my fingers through her beautiful blond

up at me with sleepy eyes. “You're still not getting any," she