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 as Oliver took a

something about Sasha Wentley disappearing?" Oliver

mean, not just disappearing. Disappearing as though she never existed in the first place. No one

Oliver agreed. “And we aren't just throwing whatever it is

her a mission having to do with the artifact. And from what she

from Leviss," Oliver

of the old woman and my blood burned.

possessive and

thought made my

hasn't had her birthday

like her to be,"

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

with her?"

“That's

are sleeping with her," Oliver said.

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

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

red. “There

long swig. “You've got

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 want anyone else. “Can we talk about the artifact

we'll have plenty of time to

“Yes, plenty

wanted to punch him, but of course I couldn't through the phone.

with my coming? I don't know yet if it's just going to be Sasha

Brady? And who's Phoebe?"

on cloud nine over being engaged to her," I replied. “Which is another reason why this situation sucks. Brady should be basking in engaged

Well, they're more than welcome here." There was a clink as I imagined Oliver set his glass aside. “Getting caught up in save-the-world type s**t.

bring the artifact your way, you'll

paused. “But Lucas Black, I swear to you, if something happens to my mate as a result of having that 'artifact' here, I

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

you ultimately want Mother to take a

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 makes sense because when Sasha disappears, I go back to the day before and have to live a whole day in a

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

winning this little war between us. Even if it means I have to be celibate for the rest of my life, she is not touching

you when you get here. Take precautions. I don't want to hear you got snapped up by a little old lady and her band of

said. “I'll try

me a lot to think about, little brother. We'll discuss it more when you

he

The line

my eyes and leaned back in my own chair, thinking 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 magic, the

hour, I left my office and returned to my bedroom, where Sasha was

ran my fingers

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