Grey Blood - Chapter 15: Chapter 15

Morning came gently, sunlight streaming through Angelina's window in warm golden hues.
For the first time in a long while, she had slept without fear.
No harsh knocks on her door.
No shouting.
No threats.
Just silence.
A comforting, unfamiliar kind of silence.
By the time she reached the dining room, the usual chaos had already started.
Jace was arguing over something stupid.
Caleb was stealing food off of Leo's plate.
Damien was already fussing over her before she could even sit down.
"Did you sleep well? Do you feel warm enough? Did you wake up with a headache?"
Angelina hesitated. "I—I'm fine."
Damien still didn't look convinced but let it go. For now.
Leo pulled out a chair for her. "Come sit, Little Star."
She sat down carefully, still not quite used to this.
The smell of fresh food made her stomach tighten, and she realized—for the first time in ages—that she was actually hungry.
That alone felt like a miracle.
Alec and Elias weren't at the table, but their absence didn't stop them from making their presence known.
Barely ten minutes into breakfast, Angelina's phone—one that Alec had personally given her—buzzed.
She blinked at the screen.
Alec: Did you eat yet?
Another text followed.
Elias: I told dad, you should be awake by now. You better be eating.
Jace, peeking over her shoulder, snorted. "Wow. They're not even here, and they're still hovering."
Leo smirked. "What do you expect? She's their little girl now."
Angelina's chest tightened.
She... she was?
The thought was both overwhelming and warm.
Her fingers hovered over the screen before she finally typed a response.
Angelina: I'm eating. Don't worry.
A second later, Elias responded.
Elias: Finish your plate.
Angelina bit back a small, shy smile.
Halfway through breakfast, Nikolai finally strolled in.
His usual cold demeanor was in place, but something was different.
For one, he didn't immediately ignore her.
For another, when Caleb jokingly tried to steal a bite from her plate, Nikolai's sharp voice cut through the air.
"Touch her food, and I'll break your fingers."
Caleb froze.
So did everyone else.
Angelina's fork paused mid-air.
Jace raised an eyebrow. "Well. That's... new."
Leo smirked. "You're so obvious, Nik."
Nikolai scowled. "Shut up."
Angelina, still processing, finally found her voice. "T—thank you...?"
Nikolai looked away, clearly uncomfortable. "Whatever."
Leo grinned. "He's warming up to you, Little Star."
Nikolai shot him a death glare.
Jace, however, was grinning. "Yeah, Bunny. Looks like you're getting to him."
Angelina glanced at Nikolai.
He wasn't looking at her.
But he wasn't ignoring her either.
That was progress.
Right?
The morning had started with chaos, but as the day went on, Angelina found herself slowly settling into this new life.
She wasn't used to being noticed.
To people caring about what she ate, how she felt, or what she wanted to do.
Yet here, in this house, surrounded by six brothers who were all so different yet equally overbearing, she was realizing something.
She wasn't alone anymore.
And that thought scared her just as much as it comforted her.
After breakfast, Angelina wandered into the living room, unsure of what to do with herself.
She wasn't used to having free time.
Before, every moment was dictated by her aunt and uncle—chores, punishments, silence.
Now...
Now, she had choices.
Leo, who had been lounging on the couch, caught sight of her hovering awkwardly near the doorway.
He patted the empty seat beside him. "Come sit, Little Star."
She hesitated, then slowly stepped forward.
The moment she settled beside him, Leo leaned back comfortably. "We're watching a movie. You up for it?"
She glanced at the screen. The title was unfamiliar, but she nodded. "O—okay."
Leo smiled. "Good."
A second later, Caleb flopped down on her other side, grinning. "Don't let Leo bore you with his dramatic movies. If you ever want real entertainment, I'll show you the good stuff."
Leo rolled his eyes. "Says the guy who only watches cartoons."
"Excuse me, they're animated masterpieces."
Angelina stifled a laugh.
For once, she felt... included.
Halfway through the movie, Nikolai walked in.
Unlike the others, he didn't throw himself onto the couch or immediately start talking.
He simply stood there, his sharp gaze flickering to where Angelina sat between Leo and Caleb.
Angelina noticed, her fingers curling slightly in her lap.
Was he going to tell her to move?
To leave?
Instead, Nikolai exhaled sharply and wordlessly sat on the armrest of the couch.
Not close.
But not far either.
Caleb, noticing, grinned. "Look at that. Nikolai actually wants to be near us."
Nikolai glared. "Shut up."
Angelina swallowed, her voice soft. "You... can sit here, if you want."
Nikolai's gaze flicked to her.
For a long moment, he said nothing.
Then, with a heavy sigh, he shifted and sat at the very edge of the couch, as far from everyone as possible—yet still, he stayed.
Angelina glanced at him, feeling an odd warmth spread through her chest.
Maybe he wasn't ready to say much.
Maybe he wasn't ready to accept her completely.
But at least... he wasn't pushing her away anymore.
And for now, that was enough.