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.

swished, and I waited as Oliver took a

saying something about Sasha Wentley disappearing?" Oliver

mean, not just disappearing. Disappearing as though she never existed in the first place. No one remembers her. I'm

“And we aren't just

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

priestess from Leviss," Oliver

woman and my blood

quiet again. “You're particularly possessive and growly.

made my

hasn't had her birthday

like her to

see it, and replied, “It wouldn't be

with

face heated up. “That's not really

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

gone and decided I don't

other women. As I recall, you're even rather popular with them," Oliver

“There are no

suspected." Another long swig. “You've

that I'd forsaken all others for Sasha. I couldn't pinpoint a time,

said. “You're coming here anyway, you said. So we'll have plenty of time to talk about other things when you get

groaned inwardly. “Yes, plenty of

I couldn't through the phone.

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

is Brady? And who's Phoebe?"

is another reason why this situation sucks. Brady should be

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

I bring the artifact your way, you'll be caught up in

we can deal with them." He paused. “But Lucas Black, I swear to you, if something happens

that happened, I'd break

take it you ultimately want Mother to

was 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, which

here and Mother can look at it," Oliver said soothingly. “Now, you go pack… or convince your probably-mate to sleep with

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

get here. Take precautions. I don't want to

I said. “I'll try to stop that

chair. “You've given me a lot to think about, little brother. We'll discuss it

I responded, relieved he was going to take

The line

It was tempting for me to get my own glass of something strong, but I wanted to stay sharp, just

and returned to

and ran my fingers

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