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“I don’t know how they’re going to treat me.”

Fee sat very still, afraid that any word or movement on her part might derail his confession.

“I mean, I know they won’t attack or anything. They let Rafe waltz in there and didn’t hurt him. I just… It’s been a long time. And I didn’t exactly leave on good terms.”

He shifted in his seat again, and Fee could feel the nervous energy roiling under his skin. It probably didn’t help matters that his wolf hadn’t had a chance to run in days. She put a hand on his thigh and gave a little squeeze.

Theo flicked his gaze her way and gave her a grateful smile. And then ruined it by saying, “Ready for some more?”

She smacked his arm. “You’re an asshole.”

He chuckled.

“I’m sure it will be fine.”

“Yeah, maybe.”

“You still miss them?” Her question was quiet, as though she almost didn’t want to hear the answer. It was ridiculous, but somehow Theo missing his pack meant she wasn’t doing a good enough job filling the void. She’d never really admitted to herself that she’d been trying to.

Theo nodded. “Not as much anymore, but yeah.” He sighed. “Mostly at night. I miss the sound of other wolves around. Breathing and growling in their sleep. I miss the feeling of being surrounded … protected.” He shrugged. “It’s stupid, I know.”

“It’s not.”

He huffed. “Well, I’ve been stupid. I probably could have gone back months ago, after my father died.”

“Why didn’t you?” Another question she was afraid to hear the answer to.

“I couldn’t face them again.” He caught her gaze again before turning back to the road. “Couldn’t face Knox. Didn’t want to.”

“What’s he like?” The only things she knew about Knox were rumors and nymph gossip. Not the most reliable sources. Theo always refused to talk about him.

“He’s… He’s always been in control. It was hard to get a rise out of my brother. Even when we were kids, even though Rafe and I tried.”

“I can imagine.”

“We were all born real close together, different moms and all.” Fee nodded. She’d learned the general make-up of his family a long time ago even though he refused to get into the specifics. “Anyway, we used to follow him everywhere, always under foot. He would get so mad when we’d scare away the critters on a hunt. He’d tremble with it. But he rarely let it out, just swallowed it down.”

Theo’s brow furrowed, a look of faraway concentration on his face, like this was the first time he’d considered how Knox might feel, like maybe he wasn’t that different from his brothers after all.

“But when he did shift…” Theo let out a noise that might have been a laugh if it hadn’t been tinged with sadness and a little fear. “He was vicious. Strong and fucking terrifying. Even when we were young. Even before my father pitted us against each other. Knox was a force.”

He shook himself, chasing away the memories. “I guess that’s why he kept his wolf on such a tight leash.”

“Maybe it scared him, too.”

Theo blinked like he was surprised Fee was still there. He’d gotten so lost in his thoughts. “Yeah, maybe. Anyway, he was closest to my father. I never really understood why the old man didn’t just name Knox as Alpha and be done with it.”

“Probably because your father was an asshole.”

Theo huffed. “Probably. He got off on pitting us against each other. He got off on power.”

“Do you think Knox does, too?”

“Well, you’d know better than me, Fee.”

“Why would I know?” Her voice rose a little too much, and her answer came a little too quick, but Theo didn’t seem to notice.

“I would have thought your nymph network had told you all about him.”