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He nodded like he knew what the hell nymphs did all day. From what he could tell, it was a combination of gossiping, spying, and occasionally (when he was lucky) mingling with the local werewolf population.

“I heard about the seer,” she said, pushing away from his truck, her waist-length hair swinging around her hips.

Of course she’d heard. “Uh, yeah. We’re going to see if we can track her down.”

Daphne nodded, her dark eyes sparkling in the sunlight. “Heard she’s Rafe’s Mate’s sister.”

Jesus Christ. There were no secrets in these damn woods. “You know a lot, Daph. Any chance you know where she is?”

The curvy dryad just shook her head, a mischievous smile on her lips.

Theo huffed. Great. Everyone was hellbent on making his life more difficult today. “Well, if you happen to hear anything, let us know.”

She grinned. “Of course.” She let her fingers trace across his chest as she walked by. “You know I have a soft spot for you wolfy boys.”

And because his life was nothing more than a series of aggravating events, Phoebe chose that exact moment to make her way down from the tree. Her gaze zeroed in on where Daphne’s hand lingered on Theo’s shoulder, and he was momentarily glad nymphs didn’t have destructive magic, or Daphne would have been fried.

“What do you want, Daphne?” Phoebe’s voice was sharp.

Daphne let her hand linger a second longer, her gaze meeting Phoebe’s. “Relax, Fee. I know this one’s yours.” She cackled at her own joke.

“He’s not mine.”

Theo flinched, the words cutting him more than they should. I could be yours. He dropped his gaze, knowing the truth was written across his face. Instead, he studied his boots in the dirt.

“If you say so,” Daphne sang, heading back across the dirt path to her home in the trees. “Good luck on your hunt.”

“What hunt?”

“Shit, Amethyst! You scared the crap out of me.” Theo clutched his chest, his heart thundering behind his ribs.

The dryad that had snuck up beside him giggled her apologies. He couldn’t take much more of this today. Phoebe shot him an amused glance as she stuffed her bag in the truck.

“Just wondering where you’re going.” Amethyst smiled at him sweetly, the silver streak in her dark hair shining in the sun.

“I assume you know better than I do where I’m going.”

Amethyst giggled again. “I’m sure you’ll find her.”

“Oh, really? You want to give us any clues on how to go about it?” Theo couldn’t help the edge that had worked its way into his voice.

Her eyes widened. “We’re not holding out on you, wolfy.” She held up her hands as if to show her innocence. “We would help if we could.”

Theo frowned. His father would have warned him not to believe her, but the man wasn’t here. Theo had no reason not to trust Fee and her friends, and if these dryads hadn’t heard anything yet, Lena was really hidden. Unease settled in his gut.

Phoebe came around to the front of the truck and kissed the woman on the cheek. “We’ll be back in a day or two, Amie.”

“Be careful.” The dryad was suddenly solemn. “Something about this whole thing doesn’t feel right.” She leaned in closer to whisper in Phoebe’s ear, but Theo stood close enough to hear it all. “Rafe killed Highlanders. It’s only a matter of time before they retaliate.”

She was right. There was no way the Highlanders were going to let the offense stand. Phoebe’s hand on his arm instantly slowed his agitated breaths.

“We’ll be careful. Let us know if you hear anything else.”

Amethyst strolled back to her ivy-covered house next to Fee’s.

“I’m sure it’s going to be fine,” Fee said but the crease between her eyebrows said differently.

Theo forced his face to relax, his smile to grow. “Of course it will, Fee. Nothing to worry about.” He strolled to his side of the truck, letting Phoebe’s hand slip off his shoulder. Just as quickly as her touch had calmed him, its absence gutted him.