I don't remember my name anymore, I'm simply Number 42. Locked away, Starved, Tortured, Alone. With only my inner voice to keep me company. Had my torturer finally driven me to insanity? As soon as the chance to escape appeared, I took it, my inner voice guiding the way and showing me a world I didn't know existed. How do I navigate a world that refuses to accept me for who I am? I am Nate, Alpha of the Wandering Hearts Pack. Our world is brutal and unforgiving, and the weak will not survive long. With the arrival of my fated mate, and I decide to make her Luna. But the Alpha King has voiced his objections, and the rest of our world will fall behind him. My mate's wolf is formidable but her human form is fragile. Yet, I know inside her lies something intangible that hints at greater power. It's my duty as her mate to support her as she faces this world and her past. Will she be strong enough to overcome it all?
Number 42's POV
I don't have a name. At least if I do, I don't remember it. I do have a number, though.?
That's how they refer to me. Number 42. I don't even know how old I am, or how much time has passed since I was taken.
All I know is that it was my 13th birthday when they took me. It's the only vague memory that I have left of my life before this....existence.
I don't even remember the faces of my childhood, their features lost to the haze of time. Faceless blurs that dance soullessly in my mind.
This isn't living, it's existing. If I could end it some way, then I would. If it wasn't for the voice inside me that claims it's my true heart, I would have found a way long ago.
Every day is the same, trapped in this darkness, day in, day out.?
The heavy collar around my neck and the chains that bind me to the wall prevent me from moving too much.?
The manacles around my wrists and ankles chafe endlessly and I can feel the wetness of the open sores they have caused crust over in the damp, fetid air that surrounds me, before breaking open again with each movement.
I sit day in and day out, staring blankly into the surrounding darkness, my hair matted and plastered to my face with the sweat from the humidity of this prison. The floor beneath me filthy and soiled from the years of neglect.?
There's no cleaning in these cells, we aren't afforded that privilege. All I can do is sit and wait for my number to be called. To experience the next humiliation that the psychotic bitch has lined up for me.
I was grateful for the voice inside. When things became too much, she took over, pushing me to the back of my mind and bearing the brunt of the assaults in my stead.
I would feel nothing during these times, only the pain and soreness afterwards as she retreated, whimpering to some dark recess inside of me.
It apologised for not being stronger, for not being able to set us free, and I soothed it as best I could.?
Perhaps my time here had turned my mind against me.
Perhaps I was insane.
I laughed to myself at the thought.
'You are not insane. If we ever manage to break free, I will show you who you truly are. I should be stronger than this. I don't know why I can't reveal myself to you.'
I nodded sympathetically. I didn't blame the voice. We weren't at fault. No one who was called by numbers was at fault.
?I wondered if the people who were my family had ever looked for me. If they had ever tried to find me. Or had they willingly let me go for some unknown reason.
'I can assure you that they would never have given us away willingly! Our blood is sacred!'
"So you say. But I can think of no other reason that this torture would be visited upon us without intervention."
The voice didn't reply, but I felt its whimper at my dismissal of its assurances.?
I leant my head back against the coarse grain of the crumbling brick walls, the collar around my neck digging into the base of my skull and exhaled heavily, closing my eyes as the tortured screams of some other poor soul drifted down the corridor outside my cell.
It hadn't been too long since I had last been hauled before the woman that took great delight in turning your worst nightmares into reality.?
As the haze of sleep descended I prayed to the gods above that I would be forgotten for a while, and left alone to sleep.
Fuck, Ada…” “Brad...oh, fuck... deeper... harder!” Ada’s shrill voice begged between breathy moans. The banging of the headboard against the wall intensified as Ann froze. No... it couldn’t be! Ann took a deep breath and nudged the door a little more. Her chest felt like it would explode as she held her breath whilst the crack widened. When it revealed her sister lying underneath her husband-to-be, her hands flew to her mouth to stifle the gasp of horror as her heart shattered instantly. As Brad roared his release inside her sister, Ada turned her head towards the door with a smirk. An icy chill descended over Ann as if a bucket of ice water had been thrown over her and she stood and stared, her eyes wide and mouth slightly open in disbelief. Ada lifted her hand and waved in Ada’s direction with a smug smile plastered on her face as Brad collapsed on top of her, kissing her neck tenderly. Is there anything you can do if your mate had sex with your sister?
When they were kids, Derek saved Norah's life. Years later, after Derek ended up in a vegetative state from a car crash, Norah married him without a second thought and even used her medical knowledge to heal him. For two years, Norah was devoted, seeking his affection and looking to settle her life-saving debt. But when Derek's first love returned, Norah, faced with divorce, didn't hesitate to sign. Despite being labeled as forsaken, few knew of her true talents. She was a race car driver, a famed designer, a genius hacker, and a renowned doctor. Regretting his decision, Derek begged for her forgiveness. Just then, a charming CEO intervened, embracing Norah and declaring, "Back off! She's my wife!" Taken aback, Norah blurted out, "What did you say?"
For two years, Ashton had poured his heart into his marriage, yet Emalee's heart remained cold. Despite his dedication, Emalee presented him with divorce papers. She bluntly stated she could not remain married to a man whose net worth was less than a million dollars. Ashton signed the papers, closing one chapter of his life and stepping into a new beginning. Then, Ashton revealed his secret identities: a music mogul, a medical expert, and a martial arts master—each persona impressive enough to stun the world. As Ashton’s true capabilities came to light, Emalee was overwhelmed with deep regret.
"Love is blind!" Lucinda abandoned her beautiful and comfortable life because of a man. She married him and slaved off for him for three long years. One day, the scales finally fell off her eyes. She realized that all her efforts were in vain. Her husband, Nathaniel still treated her like shit. All he cared about was his lover. "Enough is enough! I quit wasting my years with an ungrateful man!" Lucinda's heart was shattered into many pieces, but she summoned up the courage to ask for a divorce. The news caused a stir online! A filthy rich young woman recently got divorced? She was a good catch! Countless CEOs and handsome young men immediately swarmed to her like bees to honey! Nathaniel couldn't take it anymore. He held a press conference and begged with teary eyes, "I love you, Lucinda. I can't live without you. Please come back to me." Would Lucinda give him a second chance? Read to find out!
To outsiders, Aileen was the adopted daughter of the Jefferson family, dismissed and scorned by all. Yet, in the underground racing world, she thrived as the dark rose, savoring the thrill and speed of night races. But her life took a new turn when Derek returned home, leading to a passionate night that diverted Aileen from the Jefferson family's path. Derek, the ruthless heir to the Jefferson legacy, tactfully steered the family's ambitions. Despite his control, he found himself captivated by Aileen-his adopted sister, business partner, and an exceptional racer-drawn to her enigmatic allure.
For two years, Bryan only saw Eileen as an assistant. She needed money for her mother's treatment, and he thought she'd never leave because of it. To him, it seemed fair to offer her financial help in exchange for sex. However, Bryan didn't expect to fall for her. Eileen confronted him, "You love someone else, yet you always sleep with me? You're despicable!" The moment she slammed the divorce papers down, he realized she was the the mysterious wife he married six years ago. Determined to win her back, Bryan lavished her with affection. When others mocked her origins, he gave her all his wealth, happy to be the supportive husband. Now a celebrated CEO, Eileen had everything, but Bryan found himself lost in another whirlwind...
Madisyn was stunned to discover that she was not her parents' biological child. Due to the real daughter's scheming, she was kicked out and became a laughingstock. Thought to be born to peasants, Madisyn was shocked to find that her real father was the richest man in the city, and her brothers were renowned figures in their respective fields. They showered her with love, only to learn that Madisyn had a thriving business of her own. "Stop pestering me!" said her ex-boyfriend. "My heart only belongs to Jenna." "How dare you think that my woman has feelings for you?" claimed a mysterious bigwig.