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

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 the only person who knows her. It's… creepy,"

disturbing," Oliver agreed. “And we aren't just throwing whatever it

artifact. And from what she described to me, that's entirely possible. But we're

priestess from Leviss,"

woman and my blood burned. She would never touch my Sasha

“You're particularly possessive and growly. Is Sasha Wentley

my

know. She hasn't had her birthday

like her to be," Oliver

shrugged, then realized he couldn't see it, and replied, “It wouldn't be the worst thing

with her?" Oliver

up. “That's not

with her," Oliver said. I could hear

artifact separated, so she's gone and decided I don't get to have any if I don't let her do what she

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

red. “There are no

As I suspected." Another long swig. “You've got it bad,

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.

anyway, you said. So we'll have plenty of time

groaned inwardly. “Yes, plenty

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

it's just going to

And

He's on cloud nine 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 tangled

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. You just

way, you'll be caught up

Lucas Black, I swear to you, if something happens to my mate

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

take it you ultimately want Mother to take a look at it?" Oliver

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 universe where

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 you

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

chuckled. “Alright, I'll see you when you get here. Take precautions. I don't want to hear you got snapped

I said. “I'll try to stop that from

a lot to think

responded, relieved he was going to take us

The line

was tempting for me to get my own glass of something strong, but I

office and returned to my bedroom, where Sasha was sleeping

down next to her and ran my

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