FRAGILE

Chapter 23: Haunted Dreams and Memories

Levi rested against Maximus's chest, his breath finally beginning to even out. The warmth and safety of Maximus's embrace lulled him into a sense of peace he hadn't known in what felt like a lifetime. His body was weary, his mind exhausted from the weight of the conversation and the memories it had unearthed. Slowly, the soft rhythm of Maximus's heartbeat beneath him pulled Levi into sleep—a deep, heavy sleep that overtook him like a wave.

But peace was short-lived.

As soon as Levi slipped into unconsciousness, the nightmares began. Except they weren't just nightmares—they were memories, cruel flashes back to the times he was desperately trying to forget, but could never escape. The darkness of his mind twisted, pulling him back into the prison of his past, where the horrors that shaped him reigned.

Levi stood in a cold, damp room, the stone walls around him closing in like a cage. His heart pounded in his chest as he scanned his surroundings, desperately seeking a way out. He knew this place. He'd spent countless hours here—endless days of torment. His breath hitched as the sound of footsteps echoed in the distance, the heavy clack of boots against stone sending a surge of panic through his body.

He knew who it was. Thomas.

The door swung open, and there he stood—Thomas, the man who had destroyed everything Levi once was. His cold, calculating eyes swept the room before locking onto Levi. That familiar, twisted smile curled at the edges of Thomas's lips, and Levi's stomach churned with fear. His body trembled, muscles tensing as if preparing for the pain that was sure to come.

Thomas approached slowly, savoring every step, dragging out the anticipation. Levi's legs felt like lead; he couldn't move, couldn't escape. He was trapped, just like he had been for years. The collar around his neck felt tighter, suffocating him as Thomas circled him like prey.

"You are nothing, 2197," Thomas hissed, his voice cold and sharp. "You will always be nothing. You are my property. My toy."

Levi tried to speak, but his throat felt tight, as if the words had been stolen from him. He stood there, helpless, the weight of Thomas's dominance crushing him. The whip cracked through the air, lashing across Levi's skin, sending searing pain through his body. He couldn't scream—he wouldn't. Not anymore.

Pain is normal. Pain is expected.

The words echoed in his mind, repeating like a twisted mantra. Pain had become his existence. His reality.

Thomas stepped closer, grabbing Levi by the chin, forcing him to meet his gaze. "Look at me," he demanded. Levi's body obeyed without thought, his training kicking in. The vacant expression in his eyes was the only defense he had left.

The flash of Thomas's blade appeared next, slicing across his chest, leaving thin, precise lines that bled slowly. Levi's vision blurred as the metallic scent of blood filled the air. His knees buckled, but he couldn't fall. He wasn't allowed to fall.

"You will always belong to me," Thomas whispered, leaning in close, his breath hot against Levi's skin.

The nightmare shifted, the walls of the room twisting as Levi's memories shifted to the Correctional Unit. Cold water drenched his body, numbing his limbs. The harsh voice of Thomas echoed through speakers overhead, reciting the rules Levi had memorized through endless punishments.

"Rule 37: Never flinch away from the Master's touch. You are his property, and you deserve whatever he chooses to do to you."

The words stabbed through Levi's mind like a knife, binding him tighter in his prison. He could feel the ice-cold sting of the water, the electric shocks that had coursed through his body. His skin still burned from the memory of the brand seared into his chest—the mark that declared him nothing but a number.

His breath came in short gasps, his mind spiraling into darkness.

Maximus felt Levi begin to tremble in his arms, the soft, restful sighs from earlier turning into quiet whimpers of distress. The change was so subtle at first that he almost didn't notice, but soon, Levi's small body began to shudder, his hands gripping at Maximus's chest as if he were trying to hold on for dear life.

Maximus's wolf growled softly, sensing that something was wrong. His protective instincts flared, and he tightened his arms around Levi, pulling him closer. "Levi," he whispered gently, but there was no response. Levi was trapped, far away in his own mind, lost in the nightmare that was tightening its grip on him.

"Levi," Maximus said again, more firmly this time, shaking his mate gently. But Levi remained unresponsive, his face scrunching up in pain and fear, his lips moving as if murmuring something. Maximus's heart ached at the sight. His mate was still haunted by the demons of his past, and he didn't know how to reach him.

Then, a pained whimper escaped Levi's lips, followed by a single word—barely a whisper, but it hit Maximus like a physical blow.

"Thomas..."

Maximus's wolf roared in fury at the name, but he forced himself to stay calm, his hands trembling slightly as he tried to soothe Levi. He couldn't let his rage take over, not now. Levi needed him to be strong, to be the Alpha he was meant to be. His mate was suffering, and he had to find a way to help him.

With a steady breath, Maximus lowered his head to Levi's ear and spoke softly, his voice filled with command and reassurance. "Levi, come back to me. You're safe. You're with me now."

Levi's body jerked slightly, his grip on Maximus tightening as if he were fighting to pull himself out of the darkness. Maximus held him tighter, his voice low and firm. "Levi, listen to me. He's gone. You're free now. You're mine."

For a long, tense moment, Levi's body remained rigid, his breathing shallow and erratic. But slowly, as if responding to the strength of Maximus's words, Levi's trembles began to subside. His grip on Maximus loosened just enough, and his body gradually relaxed, the tension easing from his muscles.

Levi let out a shaky breath, his eyes fluttering open, but they were still glazed over, lost somewhere between the nightmare and reality. Maximus reached up, cradling Levi's face in his hands, forcing his mate to focus on him.

"Look at me, Levi," Maximus said softly but firmly. "You're safe. You're here with me."

Levi's eyes slowly cleared, the fog of the nightmare lifting as he blinked, disoriented. His gaze finally locked onto Maximus's, and for a moment, confusion flashed across his face, as if he didn't quite recognize where he was or who was holding him.

But then, recognition dawned. Levi's body sagged against Maximus's, his breath coming in short, shallow gasps as he clung to his mate, the remnants of the nightmare still clinging to his consciousness.

"Maximus..." Levi whispered, his voice broken and raw.

Maximus stroked Levi's hair, his heart heavy with both relief and sorrow. "I'm here, love. I've got you."

Levi buried his face against Maximus's chest, his body trembling as the fear and pain of the nightmare slowly ebbed away. Maximus continued to hold him, murmuring soft reassurances, never once letting go.

"I'm sorry," Levi mumbled against his skin, his voice thick with guilt and exhaustion.

"No, love," Maximus whispered, his heart aching at the sound of Levi's apology. "You don't need to be sorry. None of this is your fault."

Levi's arms tightened around him, as if afraid to let go. And Maximus knew that healing would take time—perhaps longer than he had originally thought. But he also knew that he would be there every step of the way, guiding his mate out of the darkness and back into the light.

They would face the nightmares together, and one day, Levi would be free from the chains of his past.

Maximus just had to help him find the way.