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.

I waited

about Sasha Wentley disappearing?" Oliver

she never existed in the first place. No one remembers her. I'm

aren't just throwing whatever it is into the

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, you know, saw what she

from

of the old woman and my blood

quiet again. “You're particularly possessive

thought made my insides warm,

know. She hasn't had

to be,"

he couldn't see it, and replied, “It wouldn't

with

up. “That's not

with her," Oliver said. I could

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

other women. As I recall, you're even rather popular

saw red. “There

I suspected." Another long swig. “You've

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 want anyone

anyway, you said. So we'll have plenty of time to talk about

groaned inwardly. “Yes, plenty of

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

going to be Sasha and me or if Brady and Phoebe will be coming as

Brady? And who's

engaged to her," I replied. “Which is another reason why this situation

There was a clink as I imagined Oliver set his glass aside. “Getting caught up in

way, you'll

pack is strong. If there are any outside threats, we can deal with them." He paused. “But Lucas

something like that happened, I'd

to take

think of was that the orb has something to do with time, which makes sense because when Sasha

Oliver said soothingly.

snorted. “Yeah, more than a hug, but I have every intention of winning this little war between us. Even if it means I have to be celibate for

you get here. Take precautions. I don't want to hear you got snapped up by a little

try

back in his chair. “You've given me a lot to think about, little brother. We'll discuss it more when you get

I responded, relieved he was going to

welcome." The line

of the mess we were in. It was tempting for me to get my own glass of something strong, but I wanted to stay sharp, just in case, by some evil

and returned to my

sat down next to her and ran my fingers through her

sleepy eyes. “You're still not getting any,"