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

saying 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…

aren't just throwing

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.

priestess from Leviss," Oliver

woman and my blood burned. She

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

my

don't know. She hasn't had her

her to be,"

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

with her?"

heated up. “That's

Oliver said. I could hear

decided

recall, you're even rather popular

“There

swig. “You've

pinpoint a time, but I knew it was true. I didn't want anyone else. “Can we talk about

have plenty of time to talk about

groaned inwardly. “Yes,

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

if it's just going to be Sasha and me or if Brady and Phoebe will be

is Brady? And who's Phoebe?" Oliver

shifter and his fiancee. He's on cloud nine over being engaged to her," I replied. “Which is another reason why this situation sucks. Brady should be

more than welcome here." There was a clink as I imagined Oliver set his glass aside. “Getting caught up in save-the-world

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

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 happens to my mate as a result of having that 'artifact' here, I

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

to take a look at it?"

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 she doesn't exist." I noted that my

out. You just keep Sasha away from that orb, at least until you get 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 need a hug

if it means I have to be celibate for the rest of my life, she is not touching that orb,

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

I said. “I'll try

“You've given me a lot to think about, little brother. We'll discuss it more

I responded, relieved he

welcome." The line

in. It was tempting for me to get my own glass of something strong, but I wanted to stay sharp,

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

to her and ran my

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