18- The Truth Hurts

*Gif Reference: Poor Nikolai.*

**[A/N]: Really late update, oops. Now that school is over for the summer, expect more updates! Forgive me, please. Love you all!**

Elian's POV

I found myself knocking on the door for the second time. After two knocks that I felt were strong enough to be heard, the two panels that made up the door opened up. I flew into the grand hall and waited for Ambrogio to greet me like the last time I had been here.

Even though I had wanted to make this trip by myself, the clever Alphas came up with a way to come along. I had everything planned in my mind as to how it would all go down, until the twins screwed it up...

It was a few hours after breakfast and I was able to escape the Alphas' clutches to retreat to our room and pack a few clothes for however long I planned to stay in Italy. As I was leaving the door of the room, I bumped into a hard wall that I didn't remember being there. The wall started to chuckle and I looked up and found Kaspar smiling down at me, with Kasey right behind him.

"Now, what could you possibly be doing Elian?" Kaspar curiously asked.

I shrugged my shoulders, "Just going out for a walk, is all."

"With a bag on your back?"

At this point, I just figured if I teleported right there and then, it'd be easier to explain everything when I got back. Also, I wouldn't feel so guilty as to leaving my mates anymore than I already had. Although, it didn't quite work out that way. When I teleported in front of the underground door, the Alphas were right beside me. They made skin to skin contact with me before I teleported. Thus, me bringing them along.

"Can't get rid of us that easily babe," Kasey remarked with a smug grin.

I pouted, "Whatever, we're not going home until I feel like it."

"Fine by us. Are you going to knock on the door or would you prefer if I did it?" Kaspar's sarcasm was heavy and irritating me to no end.

I was taken out of my mini flashback when a familiar voice greeted the Alphas and I.

"Elian! What a nice surprise to see you here, well, it is not really a surprise. Alphas, I'm not that thrilled to see you but I suppose I'll be a nice guy for a few days to satisfy Elian," Ambrogio joked as the twins growled in response.

"Nice to see you too! Now, I am guessing that you already know why I am here. Where is he?" I asked after giving Ambrogio a friendly hug.

"I'll show you, he's been cooped up in his temporary bedroom. He refuses to speak to anyone, even me. Well, he kind of hates me but still, he should be able to trust me," he walked down the large hallway and there was a door to the right that he pointed to.

"Has he told you anything at all?"

Ambrogio shook his head and sighed, "Not one word, but he keeps muttering to himself that what he did was inexcusable. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to attend to some work. Feel free to come to my office afterwards."

I nodded and watched as he practically disappeared down the hall with his incredible speed. I then looked at the door in front of me and back to the Alphas.

"Can you stay here and just guard the door?" I asked sweetly as I pecked each mate on the lips.

They reluctantly nodded and I started to knock on the door, "Nikolai? It's Elian, I'm here to help. Please open the door."

I could hear footsteps move around in the room but the door was still locked.

"Nikolai, please just open the door."

"I c-can't, you d-don't understand," he quietly voiced.

"I know what happened, everything."

There was shuffling around and then the door was opened at last. On the other side, was a worn out and worried Fae. He threw his arms around me and hugged me tight, relieved to see me. Just like the time I went to visit Zane not too long ago. I had to close the door and leave the Alphas behind because Nikolai could only handle my pressure let alone the glares that the twins were sending his way when he opened the door.

As I made my way into the room, it was the messiest room I had ever stepped into. It reeked of stale air, bowls and plates of leftover food, sheets all over the floor and bed. And Nikolai wasn't looking any better. As every Fae of our kind always looked neat and prim to the touch, Nikolai was anything but that. His shoulder-length hair was greasy as the soft light of the room shined on it, he wore human clothes that resembled those of a homeless human, and his eyes were red and tired. My heart saddened at the thought of one of my own having to go through this.

While I was taking in my surroundings and finally landed on Nikolai, he frowned slightly. He stood there, unaware of what to do. It was as if he were on the verge of tears. I moved closer to him and extended my arms for another needed embrace. He latched onto me and buried his face into my neck and soon enough, I felt his body shake with his sobs. I continuously rubbed his back and consoled him because I believed that none of this was his fault. He was one of my own, he wouldn't dare harm anyone.

"Elian, is everything okay in there? We will not hesitate to come in," Kasey asked with concern through our mindlink.

I rolled my eyes and told them to stay put, I had everything under control.

When Nikolai recollected himself, he softly and nervously smiled at me, "Sorry Elian. This place is a dump, including myself."

I waved him off, "No worried, Nikolai. What we really need to concern ourselves with at the moment, is what really happened at Stefan and Zane's pack grounds."

He visibly stiffened and nodded as if he was not emotionally and mentally ready to inform me of what happened but he would anyways because I'd asked. I motioned him to take a seat on a couch in the corner of his room which was the only piece of furniture that was clean. As I sat next to him, he had cleared his throat, ready to set the story straight.

"That morning that you had sent me to Italy, I was anything but happy at your command. But it was my duty to respect every wish and order that you had. I packed the night before and you sent me on my merry way in the morning. When I teleported to my desired destination, which was Italy, I was taken back to our realm. In front of me was the castle of the Unseelie Court. I wanted to be anywhere but there so I tried to teleport anywhere else and found myself incapable of doing so. Confusion and concern settled in by then."

I interrupted him briefly, "Unseelie Court? I should have trusted the Alphas. It was Aeron, right?"

"Aeron did step out of the castle, as if he were the most important being there because he presides over the Unseelie Court. His presence made me feel unsettled. I remember him coming up to me, as I desperately tried to get away. It was as if there was an invisible binding spell placed around my body. Last thing I remember is his forehead against mine and his only words. For me to be a good boy," Nikolai whispered his last words and I felt betrayed.

Even though the Unseelie Court were the polar opposite of the Seelie Court, I could never imagine this damage being caused by them. The betrayal hurt deep within me, and it questioned if this were the same case with the death of my parents.

"What do you mean that is the last thing you remember?" I questioned Nikolai.

"Exactly what I said. When I awoke from that memory, Ambrogio was holding me in his arms as he carried me into this room and laid me onto the bed. I acted as if I were asleep because I was dazed with what was going on at the moment and I didn't want to face anyone yet."

"You don't know anything about Stefan and Zane's pack?" I murmured, hesitant to tell him what the aftermath of his destruction was.

He shook his head and then looked down, "Please tell me what I did. Ambrogio wouldn't tell me. I know it was disastrous but not to what extent."

I swallowed whatever doubts I had about telling Nikolai and told him of the fires that were scattered around the pack house and within the pack house. Of the frightened pack members and pups who didn't have a clue where to go. Of the bodies that died trying to save others. Of Zane and the state I had found him in.

Nikolai's head was in his hands as he shook his head to the words I voiced. He could not believe all that he had done to a pack of wolves that had been nothing but welcoming and kind to him during his stay. He was distraught and saddened by the outcome.

I moved closer to him and rubbed his back as I allowed him to go through his emotions. A little while afterwards, he was sleeping on my lap, obviously worn out through his tears and emotions. Slowly, I slipped out of his grip and draped a blanket over his shivering body before I opened the bedroom door to surprisingly find the Alphas still standing where I had left them.

A small, soft smile appeared on my face as I looked up at both of their worried faces. I pecked each of their lips before suggesting that we head to our bedroom for the night and I'd tell them everything that I found out today through Nikolai. They agreed and walked on either side of me as I hovered over the ground due to my rather sore bum. Teasing and laughing at my physical state, I quickly shushed them up by implying that they will not receive any of my bum for the next month.

We made our way down the dark hall with lit candles on either side of the wall. Ambrogio's office was right ahead with the door open and the room lit with many candles. I turned around to inform the Alphas that I will meet them in our bedroom instead of heading there together. Ambrogio and I were in extreme need of a talk.

"Ambrogio?" I asked aloud for reassurance that he was alone and that I wasn't disturbing anything important.

"Come in," his tired voice mumbled as I went in and closed the door behind me.

I found him sitting behind his cluttered desk with paperwork scattered around and stacks of books. He hadn't looked so well either. His facial expressions were worn down and his dark green eyes wore the expression of defeat.

"How may I help you, Elian?"

"I was simply stopping by to see how you were. With everything that has just been dropped at your doorstep. I had no intentions of including you in all of this drama and for that, I am deeply apologetic."

He shook his head, "Whatever concerns the well being of my mate, concerns me. Now, even though my mate doesn't want anything to do with me, I will always be there for him till I depart for my death."

His well-said commitment made me grin, knowing that fate had done well by bringing these two together. I didn't doubt for a mere second that Ambrogio was wrong for Nikolai.

Ambrogio interrupted my thoughts by asking the question that I thought would never come, "How is he?"

"He is, well, he's holding on. Nikolai is a strong one."

He gratefully nodded and seemed to be rubbing his eyes, trying to stay awake.

"Well, I must be on my way before my Alphas come barging through the door. You should get some sleep as well."

Ambrogio cracked a smile at my joke, "Good one."

And with that, I left him and wandered towards my bedroom. That night, despite the recent difficulties, I slept peacefully in the Alphas' arms and never wanted to wake up.

>>

My serene sleep was interrupted in the early hours of the morning with Kaspar peppering kisses onto my neck and Kasey grinding into my back. I groaned and moaned for them to stop. Now, wasn't the best time for this. Hormonal wolves and their incapability to keep their dicks in their pants was really getting to me.

"Not now, Alphas." I pleaded.

They sighed but relented and decided to get ready for the day ahead of them as I buried my face into the fluffy pillow and sheets. Not even five minutes into relaxing, the bedroom door was swung open and Nikolai who looked freshened up in a long time, came through.

"Oh, good! You're awake. I thought I would be interrupting your sleep, good thing that I am not," he cheerfully chirped.

"Oh, not at all," I mentioned with sarcasm thick in my tone.

He unfortunately didn't notice and continued to talk.

"I have a plan to get back at that conniving bastard. Ready?"