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.

liquid swished, and I waited

saying something about

the first place. No one remembers her. I'm the only person who knows her. It's…

agreed. “And we aren't just throwing whatever

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 chased by an old priestess who possesses at least a little magic, so I'm wondering if Sasha, you know,

priestess from

thought of the old woman and my

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

thought made my insides warm,

know. She hasn't had her birthday

like her to be," Oliver

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

sleeping with her?"

“That's not really the

with her," Oliver said. I could hear

keeping her and the artifact separated, so she's gone and decided

recall, you're even rather popular

saw red. “There are

swig. “You've got it

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

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

groaned inwardly. “Yes, plenty of

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

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

And who's Phoebe?" Oliver

I replied. “Which is another reason why

a clink as I imagined Oliver set his glass

well, when I bring the artifact your way, you'll be caught up in it, too,"

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

something like that happened, I'd break

to take a

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

We'll figure it all out. You just keep Sasha away from that orb, at least until you get here and Mother can look at it," Oliver

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

you when you get here. Take precautions. I don't want to hear you

“I'll try to stop

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

responded, relieved he was

The

my eyes and leaned back in my own chair, thinking of the mess we were in. It was tempting for me to get my

left my office and returned to my

to her and ran my fingers through

up at me with sleepy