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

something about Sasha Wentley disappearing?" Oliver

disappearing. Disappearing as though she never existed in the first place. No one remembers her. I'm the

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

afraid the orb will call Sasha after it. She's 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

from Leviss," Oliver

I thought of the old woman and my blood burned. She

“You're particularly possessive and

made my insides

know. She hasn't

to be," Oliver

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

sleeping with her?" Oliver

heated up. “That's not

sleeping with her," Oliver said. I

miffed over me keeping her and the artifact separated, so she's gone and decided I don't get to have any if

I recall, you're even rather popular with them," Oliver

red. “There are

suspected." Another long swig. “You've got it

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 want anyone else. “Can we talk about the artifact and leave the

we'll have plenty of time to talk about other things when you get

“Yes, plenty of

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

Brady? And who's Phoebe?"

over being engaged to her," I replied. “Which is another reason why this situation sucks. Brady should be basking in engaged bliss right now, but instead he's getting

was a clink as I imagined Oliver set his glass aside. “Getting caught up in save-the-world type s**t. You just have

way, you'll be caught

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

happened, I'd break

it you ultimately want Mother to take

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 universe

it," Oliver said soothingly. “Now, you go pack… or convince your

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

a true Alpha male," Oliver chuckled. “Alright, I'll see you when you get here. Take precautions. I don't want to hear you got snapped up by a little old lady and her

I said. “I'll try to stop that

me a lot to think about,

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

The

get my own glass of something strong, but I wanted

my office and returned to my bedroom,

down next to her and ran my fingers

then blinked up at me with sleepy eyes. “You're still not getting