Grey Blood - Chapter 14: Chapter 14

The front door swung open, and the moment Alec and Elias stepped inside, they were already looking around.
Alec's sharp gaze scanned the room, his brows furrowing when he didn't spot Angelina anywhere.
"Where is she?" he asked immediately.
Elias, standing beside him, had a similar tense expression, as if he had expected to find her waiting for them.
Damien, who was tidying up the living room, turned at the sound of their voices.
His usual gentle demeanor softened even more as he answered, "It's already past her bedtime. She went to sleep a while ago."
Alec exhaled, some of the tension leaving his shoulders. "Good."
Elias nodded, though there was a flicker of something unreadable in his expression.
They had only been gone for a few hours, but the house felt different without Angelina in sight.
After Alec and Elias settled in, the brothers gathered in the living room, a rare moment of quiet between them.
Alec leaned back in his seat, his fingers tapping against the armrest. "It's been barely two days, and I can already feel the difference in this house."
Leo, who was sipping a drink, hummed in agreement. "Yeah. It's... warmer."
Jace smirked. "Isn't that just because Damien's in full mother-hen mode?"
Damien rolled his eyes. "Excuse me for actually caring about our little sister."
Caleb chuckled. "To be fair, you're all acting different."
Alec tilted his head. "How so?"
Caleb shrugged. "Well, you, for one, are softer around her. I mean, Alec Grey, the terrifying Mafia Don, is walking around kissing her forehead like a worried dad."
Alec huffed, but didn't deny it.
Damien smiled. "She's brought out a different side of all of us."
Elias, who had been silent, finally spoke. "She's still too reserved." His gaze darkened. "She's used to hiding herself—her emotions, her needs. We have to fix that."
Alec nodded. "I agree."
Leo exhaled. "She's never had people she could depend on. It's going to take time for her to trust that we're here for her."
Jace leaned back. "Then we just have to show her. Every day."
Alec's jaw tightened. "We will."
Elias's eyes flickered toward Nikolai, who was silent.
Then, without warning, he stood up.
"Nikolai. Office. Now."
Nikolai followed Elias into the office, his usual cold expression unreadable.
The moment the door shut, Elias turned on him.
His voice was low but sharp. "Your behavior toward Angelina is unacceptable."
Nikolai's jaw clenched, but he said nothing.
Elias stepped closer. "The only reason I didn't say this in front of her is because I refuse to let her see me shouting at you. I won't let her feel like she's causing conflict between us."
Nikolai's fists clenched at his sides. "I never said she was."
Elias's eyes narrowed. "Then stop treating her like she doesn't belong here."
Silence.
Elias exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "I don't know what your problem is, but you need to get over it. Because she's our sister, and she's staying."
Nikolai's gaze flickered, something stormy crossing his expression.
Then, without another word, he turned and walked out.
Elias sighed, his chest heavy.
Angelina had changed all of them.
Even Nikolai—whether he wanted to admit it or not.