FRAGILE

Chapter 15: The Weight of a Name

The warm water lapped gently around Levi's body, soothing his aching muscles and fragile mind. He floated there, feeling suspended between reality and the hazy numbness that had become his constant companion. The heat of the bath wrapped him in a strange, comforting embrace, a temporary escape from the cold, harsh world he had always known. He felt safe here, even if just for a moment.

But that fragile peace was soon interrupted.

Maximus's voice broke through the quiet, and for a brief moment, Levi's heart raced, not from fear but from something else—something unfamiliar.

"What is your name, mate?"

The word mate tugged at something deep inside him, something Levi couldn't fully understand. Mate? That didn't apply to him. He wasn't worthy of being anyone's mate. He was a slave. He was property, nothing more. But even as the word echoed in his mind, a strange warmth settled in his chest, pulling at him, making him feel... wanted. Important, even.

Levi blinked, his mind snapping back to the question. He knew better than to ignore a direct inquiry, especially one from someone as powerful as Maximus. His Training Master's voice echoed in his head, reminding him of the rules he had to follow to survive. He forced himself to respond, even though the answer felt wrong.

"2197," Levi whispered, his voice so soft it almost disappeared into the air. The number—the only name he had known for as long as he could remember—slipped from his lips without hesitation. It was automatic, reflexive. He had been trained for years to respond to it, to be nothing more than the number etched into his skin.

But even as the words left him, a part of Levi wished for more. He wasn't sure why, but he found himself hoping—hoping—that maybe if he behaved well enough, maybe if he was perfect, Maximus might let him stay in this water longer. Maybe he'd be allowed to enjoy this warmth again. The thought was dangerous, but it clung to him. Maybe, just maybe, if he was obedient, Maximus would be kind.

The silence that followed made Levi's heart race, and he held his breath, waiting for Maximus's response. When it came, it was softer than he expected.

"No, love," Maximus said, the word love making Levi's chest tighten with confusion. "Your real name."

My real name?

Levi's mind went blank. Real name? He didn't understand. His real name? What was that? His heart pounded as he turned to face Maximus, his eyes searching the Alpha's face for any clues, any further explanation. He racked his brain, desperately trying to grasp onto anything that could answer the question. But all he could find was... nothing.

"I don't understand, sir," Levi whispered, his voice trembling as the confusion twisted into something sharper. Real name? His mind spun, trying to remember if there had ever been a time when he was called something else. But all he could remember were the insults—worthless, Omega, mongrel. And 2197. That was it. That was all he had ever been called.

A sudden, sharp pain exploded behind his eyes, like someone was driving a blade through his skull. Levi gasped, his hands flying to the sides of his head as if to hold it together, trying to stop the pain. It felt like his very mind was unraveling, torn apart by the weight of a question he couldn't answer.

Panic gripped him as he struggled to breathe. His body went rigid, muscles seizing up as his vision darkened at the edges. He barely noticed when Maximus lifted him out of the water, pulling him onto his lap. All Levi could think about was the pain, the confusion, the feeling that he was falling apart.

I broke a rule, Levi thought desperately, his mind latching onto the only explanation that made sense. I broke Rule 56. He wasn't supposed to feel comfortable when his Master wasn't. He was failing, and failure always led to punishment. His breath came faster, shallow and ragged, as panic clawed at his chest. What had he done wrong? Why was he being punished now?