This is the second update of the day. Read chapter 44 in case you missed it ❤️

ELIJAH'S POV

The sun dipped low on the horizon, painting the garden in hues of gold and amber. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves, carrying the faint scent of jasmine. I stood at the edge of the garden, watching her. My little dove. Fragile, trembling, yet determined. The faintest smirk tugged at my lips as I approached her, my steps measured, calculated.

"Ready for today's exercise, little dove?" I asked, my voice smooth, almost gentle. She looked up at me, her eyes wide and wary, yet she nodded. Such an obedient thing. At least on the surface.

Her hand trembled slightly as she reached for mine. I took it, my grip firm yet not crushing, guiding her as she took her first shaky steps. Her body was frail, her movements unsteady, and yet there was something almost endearing about her effort.

"Good," I murmured, my voice low, soothing. "You're doing well. One step at a time. Don't rush. I've got you."

She glanced up at me, her lips parting slightly as if she wanted to say something but thought better of it. Smart girl. But then, curiosity got the better of her.

"You're being... helpful," she whispered, her voice uncertain.

I chuckled softly, leaning in just enough for her to feel the warmth of my breath. "Helpful? Perhaps. Or perhaps I'm simply ensuring you don't fall and injure yourself further. We wouldn't want that, now would we?"

Her cheeks flushed faintly, and I couldn't help but find the sight amusing. She was so easy to read, every emotion written plainly across her face.

As we walked, her steps grew slightly steadier. She was improving, slowly but surely. I should have felt a sense of satisfaction, pride even, but then she spoke again.

"Where is A-Aiden?"

The name sliced through the moment like a blade. My grip on her hand faltered, and I had to remind myself not to tighten it too much. The smirk slipped from my face, replaced by something colder, darker.

"Aiden," I repeated, the word leaving a bitter taste on my tongue. "Can't stop thinking about that little runt, can you?"

She looked up at me, confusion and fear flickering in her eyes. "He I-is just a kid " she said, her voice trembling. "He doesn't deserve this. He's—"

Before she could finish, I let go of her hand. Not roughly, but enough for her to lose her balance. She stumbled, her body crumpling to the ground in a heap of fragile limbs.

I crouched down to her level, my expression a twisted blend of feigned concern and amusement. "Oops," I said dramatically, my tone dripping with mock sympathy. "Did I do that?"

Tears fell freely now, but she bit her lip, trying to stifle her sobs. It was adorable, really—her desperate attempt to hold onto some semblance of dignity.. Her hands trembling as she tried to push herself up with her uninjured hand. The sight was almost... mesmerising. Pain etched into every line of her face, helplessness in every movement.

I reached out, brushing a strand of hair from her tear-streaked face, my touch cold and possessive. "Poor little thing," I murmured, my voice low and mocking. "So helpless. So dependent. It's almost... endearing."

"You have to be careful now,little dove " I murmured, my tone light, almost teasing. "Wouldn't want you to hurt yourself further. You're already such a fragile little thing."

Tears welled in her eyes, but she blinked them away, her lips pressing into a thin line. There it was again—that flicker of defiance. I leaned closer, my gaze locking onto hers.

"Aiden," I said softly, my voice like a caress laced with poison. "If you will keep thinking about him then it won't take me a second to send him to your dearest dead lover"

Her breath hitched, and I could see the crack forming, the fear seeping in. It was intoxicating.

I reached out, brushing a strand of hair from her face, my touch featherlight. "Let me make this clear, little dove," I whispered, my tone shifting to something darker. "There's no one coming for you. Aiden would be perfectly fine only till you behave. And the sooner you accept that, the easier this will be for you."

She flinched, her tears finally spilling over. There there so beautiful.

"You're mine, little dove," I said, my voice low and firm. "Ours. Every step you take, every breath you draw—it's because I allow it. You don't need Aiden. You don't need anyone. All you need is me."

I straightened, offering her my hand once more. She hesitated, her gaze flickering between my face and my outstretched hand.

She whimpered, her broken voice barely a whisper. "What will you get by doing this to me?"

A slow, chilling smile curved my lips as I leaned closer, my eyes locking onto hers. "Awww, my dear little dove," I said, my tone soft but laced with venom, "breaking you piece by piece is so much more satisfying than destroying you all at once. By the time I'm done, you won't even remember who you were before. You'll only remember us."

"Come on," I said, my smirk returning, though it didn't reach my eyes. "You're going to stand up, and you're going to walk. Because you don't have a choice."

She took my hand, her touch hesitant, trembling. I pulled her to her feet, steadying her once more.

"Try harder, little dove," I said, my voice dripping with mock encouragement. "You're going to have to keep up with me and my brothers for the rest of your life."

And as I guided her forward, her whimpers were the sweetest sound I'd ever heard.

.
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Lucian stood by the window, arms crossed, a faint smirk curling his lips as he watched Elijah with August in the garden below. Her hesitant steps and trembling figure were almost pitiful, yet the scene had a twisted entertainment value that Lucian couldn't ignore. He tilted his head toward Alexander, who stood beside him, observing in silence.

"Tell me something, Alex," Lucian began, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "What exactly is Elijah trying to accomplish down there? Is this his idea of therapy, or just another one of his sick games?"

Alexander's eyes flickered, his gaze calm and calculated as always. "Elijah thrives on control, Ian. He enjoys twisting minds as much as you enjoy breaking wills. He's playing the long game."

Lucian chuckled, the sound dark and mocking. "The long game? Looks more like he's babysitting. What's the plan? To make her so dependent on him she forgets how to think for herself? How romantic."

Alexander's smirk was subtle, but it was there. "Don't underestimate him. Elijah's methods are cruel, but they're precise. He's not just breaking her—he's rebuilding her into someone who won't be able to function without him."

Lucian rolled his eyes, leaning back against the wall. "Rebuilding her? She's not a damn project. She's a person. And people who are pushed too far either break or snap. If she snaps, it's over."

Alexander finally turned to face him, his expression unreadable, yet his voice carried its usual quiet authority. "And what would you prefer, Ian? Beating her into submission like you always do? Tell me, is she obedient out of respect, or is it fear that keeps her in line?"

Lucian's grin sharpened, his dark eyes gleaming with challenge. "Fear works. It's immediate, it's effective, and unlike whatever Elijah's doing, it doesn't waste time. When I give her an order, she doesn't hesitate. Can Elijah say the same?"

Alexander chuckled, shaking his head slightly. "Fear can only take you so far. A mind controlled by terror is a mind waiting for the first chance to rebel. Elijah's approach ensures there's no rebellion. By the time he's finished with her, she won't just obey—she'll believe it's her choice."

Lucian scoffed, pushing off the wall and pacing toward the window. "Yeah, and by the time he's finished, she'll be a soulless little doll. What's the point of having her if there's no fire left in her? Might as well drag her to the altar and call it a day."

Alexander's smirk deepened, his voice taking on a quiet, cutting edge. "You think I don't know that balance, Ian? You think Elijah doesn't know it? The goal isn't to extinguish her completely—it's to redirect that fire. And when the time comes, she'll burn for us and no one else."

Lucian turned, his brows raised, his smirk now laced with curiosity. "You sound awfully confident, Alex. Care to share what you're not telling us?"

Alexander's gaze didn't waver, his voice steady and certain. "Patience, Ian. Everything has its time. Elijah has his way, you have yours, and I have mine. But in the end, it'll be my way that keeps her exactly where she belongs."

Lucian stared at him for a long moment before letting out a low laugh. "You're always playing puppeteer, aren't you, Alex? Fine. Have it your way. Just don't expect me to pick up the pieces if your grand plan falls apart."

Alexander's smirk turned cold, his eyes sharp as they met Lucian's. "It won't."

For a moment, the two brothers stood in silence, the tension between them as unyielding as the bond that held them together. Then Lucian turned back to the window, watching Elijah crouch down to mock August as she struggled to stand.

With a sneer, Lucian muttered, "If he doesn't break her, I just might."

Alexander's low chuckle followed him out of the room.

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