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.

waited as Oliver took a

were saying something about

first place. No

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

liked how my brother and I had similar thinking. “I'm 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 chased by

priestess from Leviss,"

and my blood burned. She would never

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

my insides

hasn't had her birthday

like her to be,"

replied,

sleeping with her?"

heated up. “That's not

said. I could hear him

a bit miffed over me keeping her and the artifact separated, so she's gone and decided

are other women. As I recall, you're even

red. “There are no other

long swig. “You've got it

the 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

here anyway, you said. So we'll have

“Yes,

I couldn't through the phone.

just going to be Sasha and me

Brady? And who's Phoebe?"

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

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

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

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

something like that happened, I'd break my own spine," I

Mother to take a look at it?" Oliver

time, which makes sense because when Sasha disappears, I go back

that orb, at least until you get here and Mother can look at it," Oliver said

“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 the rest of my life, she is not touching

you get here. Take precautions. I don't

“I'll try to stop that

me a lot to think about, little brother. We'll

you, Oliver," I responded, relieved he was going

welcome." The

to get my own glass of something strong, but I wanted to stay sharp, just in case,

left my office and returned to my bedroom, where Sasha was sleeping

next to her and ran my fingers

then blinked up at me with sleepy eyes. “You're still