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“I still think she left on purpose,” Amethyst added for good measure.

Theo blew out a long sigh. “She would have told her sister where she was going.”

“Unless a wolf got her,” Runa added, only making things worse.

Phoebe opened her mouth to step in, but Theo beat her to it.

“Maybe,” he growled, pressing his hands flat to the table and leaning toward the nymphs, “Is that just a guess, Runa? Or are you being helpful for once?”

“Theo.” Phoebe put her hand over his, covering his fingers with her own.

He shook his head, the tension slowly leaving his body. He cleared his throat. “Sorry,” he said, straightening back up. “I just⁠—”

“You’re just worried, that’s all,” Amie said, getting up to pour the tea. “Nothing to apologize for.”

“As far as Lena goes…”

Daphne’s gaze flicked to hers and Fee gave a slight shake of her head. Theo was too focused on Runa’s glare to notice.

“We haven’t heard anything about her. Obviously, we would tell you if we had.”

Theo’s shoulders slumped in defeat, and again guilt shot through Phoebe’s gut. “Thanks, anyway.” The fight had gone out of him because of her, because of what she was keeping from him. How long had she spent helping him get that fight, that spark, back in his eyes after he’d left his pack? How much damage was she doing with this secret?

“Come sit. You look exhausted.” Amie ushered him into the space she’d just vacated and poured him some tea. Daphne pulled a flask from her sleeve and added a splash of amber liquid to his cup with a wink.

Theo shook his head, a low laugh rumbling from his chest. “Thanks, ladies. I am exhausted.” He flashed a grin at Phoebe. “I didn’t get a lot of sleep last night.”

Fee felt the heat rise to her cheeks and the whole table burst into knowing giggles.

“Now this we have to hear about!” Amie said, clapping her hands in glee.

An oven timer went off.

Cake was served.

More drinks were poured.

The day wore on and Lena was forgotten.

The nymphs, those diminutive creatures, had gotten him drunk.

Daphne giggled as she tipped into Amethyst. Amethyst laughed, eyes wide at something crude Runa had said. Phoebe was curled up on the ottoman looking pink-cheeked and happy. They might have gotten themselves drunk, too.

“So, you’re the baby of the family?” Amie asked.

“Yep.” Theo took another sip of his spiked tea, not sure how they’d got on the topic of his brothers, but the whole afternoon was kind of a blur. He glanced out the window; the sun had already dipped below the trees. Another wasted day.

“Three sexy brothers…” Daphne said with a soft hum, her round cheeks reddening further. She leaned forward and Theo’s gaze snagged on the cleavage she was aiming in his direction.

There were a lot of ways he could see this night progressing. A lot of ways that, in the past would have ended with him at the bottom of a pretty pile of dryads. His gaze flicked to Phoebe’s. She rolled her eyes at Daphne’s question, a playful smile on her lips. There was only one dryad he wanted to be under. Or over. Or beside. Or behind…

Theo grinned. “But I’m the prettiest. Right, Fee?”

She scoffed. “If pretty boys are your thing.”

Amethyst laughed. “What happened to that wolf you brought back here once? Remember that day?”

“Ryder,” he said. “Haven’t seen him in a while.”