Nathan's POV
I paced the hallway, checking my watch again. 6 PM, and still no sign of Phoebe. I really didn't like her friends who were always dragging her to different parties.
"Where's Phoebe?" I asked, finding my mother reclining in bed with a novel. She set aside her reading glasses when I entered.
"Swimming practice at school," she replied calmly. "She'll be home any minute."
My brow furrowed. "We have a perfectly good pool here, Mom."
She smiled. "Let her spread her wings, Nathan. She's twenty now—finding her independence."
"She's still a little girl," I muttered. Alaric growled his agreement inside me.
"Instead of worrying about your sister," Mom said, studying my face, "why don't you tell me why you've been practically radiating happiness all week? I haven't se
