Sold as the Alpha King's Breeder novel Chapter 978

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.

The liquid swished, and I waited as Oliver took a long gulp.

“You were saying something about Sasha Wentley disappearing?" Oliver prodded.

“Yes. I 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," I said.

“Sounds disturbing," Oliver agreed. “And we aren't just throwing whatever it is into the ocean because…?"

I 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 an old priestess who possesses at least a little magic, so I'm wondering if Sasha, you know, saw what she saw."

“An old priestess from Leviss," Oliver said.

“Yes." I thought of the old woman and my blood burned. She would never touch my Sasha again.

Oliver was quiet again. “You're particularly possessive and growly. Is Sasha Wentley your mate?"

The thought made my insides warm, but....

“I don't know. She hasn't had her birthday yet."

“You'd like her to be," Oliver inferred.

I shrugged, then realized he couldn't see it, and replied, “It wouldn't be the worst thing in the world."

“You sleeping with her?" Oliver asked.

My face heated up. “That's not really the point...."

“You are sleeping with her," Oliver said. I could hear him take another swig.

“Technically not now. She's a bit miffed over me keeping her and the artifact separated, so she's gone and decided I don't get to have any if I don't let her do what she wants with the orb," I responded.

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

I saw red. “There are no other women."

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

I rubbed 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 knew it was true. I didn't want anyone else. “Can we talk about the artifact and leave the rest alone?"

“Sure," Oliver said. “You're coming here anyway, you said. So we'll have plenty of time to talk about other things when you get here."

I groaned inwardly. “Yes, plenty of time."

Oliver chuckled, and I wanted to punch him, but of course I couldn't through the phone. Pity. “Oh, the things we're going to discuss, little brother."