**Chapter 12: Aftermath**

The silence that followed Alessandro's outburst was oppressive, heavy with the weight of unspoken emotions. Elijah's eyes were fixed on Kael, his gaze filled with a mix of fear and sadness. Ryder's arm around him tightened, a comforting presence in a sea of tension. Alessandro's chest heaved with exertion, his eyes still blazing with a fierce protectiveness. He knew that he had to make sure Kael understood the gravity of his actions, that he couldn't continue to hurt those around him. The toxic demon switch's behavior was a cancer, eating away at the poly's dynamics, and Alessandro was determined to put a stop to it. As the moments ticked by, Kael slowly came to his feet, his eyes downcast. He looked defeated, his shoulders slumped in a posture of submission. Alessandro's gaze lingered on him, his expression cold and unforgiving. Elijah's eyes welled up with tears, his body still trembling with fear and pain. Ryder pulled him closer, his face etched with concern. "Hey, it's okay," Ryder whispered, his voice soft and soothing. "We've got you." Alessandro's eyes softened, his expression gentling. He moved to Elijah's side, wrapping a comforting arm around his shoulders. "We'll get through this," he whispered, his voice low and reassuring. "Together." The poly stood there, a silent understanding between them. Kael's toxic behavior would not be tolerated, not when Alessandro was around to put him in his place. And as they stood there, a sense of hope emerged, a chance for redemption and growth in the shadows of the demon king's dominion. Alessandro's phone buzzed, breaking the silence. He pulled it out, his eyes scanning the screen. "I need to make a call," he said, his voice low and smooth. "But first, let's get you two comfortable." He led Elijah and Ryder to the couch, where they sat down, Elijah still sniffling. Alessandro pulled out a box of tissues, handing them to Elijah. "Here, baby," he said, his voice soft. "Take care of yourself." Elijah nodded, his eyes welling up with tears as he took a tissue. Ryder wrapped his arms around him, holding him close. Alessandro watched them, his heart swelling with love and protectiveness. He knew that he had to keep them safe, that he had to make sure Kael didn't hurt them again. As he walked out of the room, phone in hand, Kael's eyes followed him. The toxic demon switch looked lost, his eyes filled with a deep sadness. For a moment, Alessandro felt a pang of pity for him, a sense of regret that Kael had been driven to this point. But as he answered his phone, his expression hardened. He knew that he had to take care of Kael, to make sure he didn't hurt anyone else. The demon king's dominion would not be threatened by Kael's toxic behavior. "I need you to take care of something for me," Alessandro said, his voice low and smooth. "Kael's behavior has gotten out of hand. I need you to help me put him in his place." His associate's voice was smooth, reassuring. "I'll take care of it, boss. You can count on me." Alessandro's eyes narrowed, his gaze fixed on the door. He knew that he had to take care of Kael, to make sure he didn't hurt anyone else. The poly's dynamics depended on it. As he hung up the phone, Alessandro's eyes lingered on the door. He knew that he had to be firm, that he had to make sure Kael understood the gravity of his actions. But as he turned back to the room, his eyes softened. Elijah and Ryder were sitting on the couch, Elijah's head on Ryder's shoulder. They looked peaceful, their faces relaxed. Alessandro's heart swelled with love and protectiveness. He knew that he would do anything to keep them safe, to make sure they were happy. And as he walked towards them, his eyes fixed on their peaceful faces, Alessandro knew that he would do whatever it took to make sure their poly worked, that they could grow and thrive together, free from Kael's toxic behavior.