Substituent Bride

On the day Nick Grange and I hold our marking ceremony, he hands me a three-year agreement. "Our mate bond is only to solidify the alliance between the Lycus and Lunaria packs," he says. "The one I love is Zora. If you sign this contract, the mate bond will dissolve automatically after three years. When that time comes, I'll let you go." Without hesitation, I sign it. This union is something I made happen because from the moment I met Nick, I fell deeply in love with him. For three years, we live in harmony. Nick treats me well, making me form the mistaken belief that he might love me back too. But that illusion shatters. Nick brings Zora Knott, who has just returned to the Lycus pack, to his birthday banquet. Even without Nick bringing up our agreement, I know it's time for me to leave at that moment. I leave to set him free. But why is he searching for me everywhere after I'm gone?

Vincent Hastings, the ruthless Billionaire and the most fearful Mafia King in New York. He is the boss, he can get everything that he wants whether he does it with bare hands or by force. Just like how he forced Sophie Laurens, youngest daughter of Albert Laurens, one of the richest men in New York who had an agreement with Vincent to have one of his daughters marry him. He willingly offered his youngest one, not minding what the consequences are, not minding what Sophie's future might look like. Will Sophie be able to change the ruthless mafia boss? Or will she just escape from him?

Lucky isn't ready to be married nor is she interested in the arranged marriage with Mafia Don, Nico Santangelo. But he has a contract out on her father for the marriage or he will have Lucky's father killed. He is a man who always gets what he wants and nothing will stand in his way. He is richer than any man and more powerful than any other Don has ever been. He rules the underworld of the New York Crime Scene and this alliance between his family and Lucky's mafia family would mean he becomes the King of New York. He doesn't care for a wife especially not Lucky but he needs her and it eats him alive that this is the only way he can be King of New York and he will do whatever it takes in his power to make that happen. Lucky is strong willed, she is fierce and not a docile dove he can easily manipulate but Nico Santangelo is not scared of a challenge, he will have her eating out of his hand and tamed if it is the last thing he does. Besides, when he is the King of New York and her father dies eventually, he will no longer need this woman. He isn't prepared, however, that he could fall in love with her.

For Maxine, "normal" is a costume she wears every day. She's an imposter, a forbidden creature hiding in plain sight. But her act is tested when four new students arrive, seeing through her mask as if it were glass. They are like her, but different. Dangerous. And they might be the only ones who can save her from a fate she doesn't yet understand. To survive, she must trust them, but trusting them could mean losing herself—especially to the one whose gaze makes her forget she's supposed to be human.

She was not born for the destiny that awaits her, but life does not always take us to the destiny we deserve. This was the case of Sarah, who was raised as a princess and fell into the clutches of the mafia after her father fell into disgrace. He was the son of the most powerful man in the United States and was born to be another mafia leader in the group his father controlled. But David doesn't believe in destiny and will do anything to plan his path. What could happen when their paths cross? Might they be able to face Simon and win?

Sa mundo ng mga mayayaman at makapangyarihan, ang kasal ay hindi palaging tungkol sa pag-ibig. Minsan, isa lang itong kasunduan. Solen Mira Callisto, isang occupational nurse sa Monteverde Lines Inc., ay biglang nabaon sa utang matapos pumanaw ang kanyang ama. Dalawang milyong piso—isang halagang hindi niya kayang bayaran sa loob ng tatlong linggo. Sa gitna ng kanyang desperasyon, dumating ang isang hindi inaasahang alok mula kay Leonidas “Leon” Monteverde, ang matikas pero mailap na COO ng Monteverde Lines. Bilang susunod na tagapagmana ng kanilang shipping empire, may isang kondisyon bago niya makuha ang kumpanyang matagal nang itinakda para sa kanya. Kailangan niyang magpakasal. Isang kasunduan ang nabuo. Isang taon ng pagpapanggap bilang mag-asawa. Walang damdamin, walang komplikasyon. Para kay Leon, ito ay isang kasunduan lang. Para kay Solen, ito ang kanyang tanging paraan para mabawi ang lahat ng nawala sa kanya. Dapat ay simple lang, pero bakit parang hindi lang basta umaarte si Leon? He’s too convincing and too protective. Sa tuwing tatawagin siyang "asawa ko" sa harap ng iba, hindi niya alam kung dapat ba siyang mataranta o kiligin. Unti-unti, nagiging malabo ang linya sa pagitan ng kasunduan at katotohanan. Sa mundo ng kapangyarihan at intriga, paano kung ang isang relasyong nagsimula sa papel… ay mauwi sa isang bagay na totoo?

My heart felt like it had been ripped from my chest, my world shattered into a million and one pieces. I couldn’t breathe, couldn’t move, couldn’t speak. All I could do was stare, my eyes fixed on the unreasonable scene before me. “L...Lucia...” my father stuttered, his face flushed with embarrassment and guilt as he immediately lifted his underwear. “It’s not what it seems...” But I didn’t want to hear it. I didn’t want to hear their excuses. “Lucia!” Beta Mario called out, his heart pounding heavily as he swallowed a heavy lump. “Mate?” I said and a pained chuckle escaped my lips. Goddess! How could you let this realisation come to me now— my cheating asshole boyfriend is— my mate. My lifelong wish had come to pass… I found my mate. And he happened to be my childhood lover, same guy who had been my boyfriend for two years. It should have been fun, this should have been a happy moment. But there was a painful twist. My dad and my mate were secret lovers, or would I rather say ‘fuck buddies’. What could be worse than this? I turned, ready to run off. My heart was already split and I knew that any more second there could make me even more furious, but there was still one thing I was yet to do. “One more thing...” “No, please Lucia... you can’t take decisions in haste. I swear I really like you...” “I Lucia Herod of Crescent land pack reject you Beta Mario of Crescent land pack.” I'm glad I rejected him— that cheating asshole. But then, the goddess wasn't done with her surprises. "I want you to become my wife!" The Lycan King said, causing everyone's jaw to drop.

When event planner Sophia Martinez crashes billionaire Ethan Cross's exclusive charity gala, she's just trying to steal enough food to feed her dying mother. She never expects to catch the attention of New York's most ruthless CEO or to accept his shocking proposal. Ethan offers Sophia five million dollars for six months of her life: pose as his devoted fiancée to make his ex jealous and secure the biggest business deal of his career. The rules are simple no real feelings, no physical contact, just perfect public performances as the ideal couple. But Sophia harbors a devastating secret. She's the daughter of the man who destroyed Ethan's family empire five years ago, and she's been living with the guilt ever since. As she falls deeper into the charade, the lines between pretense and reality blur. Every stolen glance, every fake smile, every staged kiss pulls her further from her mission and closer to the man she's supposed to hate. Ethan finds himself breaking his own rules. The woman he hired to heal his wounded pride is awakening feelings he thought were dead. But when business rival Marcus Reid begins circling like a vulture, threatening to expose their arrangement, Ethan realizes the game has become far more dangerous than either of them anticipated. As corporate espionage collides with family secrets, Sophia must choose between protecting the man she loves and saving herself from a past that refuses to stay buried. When Ethan discovers her true identity, their contract becomes worthless but their hearts have already signed a deal that could destroy them both. In a world where billion-dollar empires rise and fall on trust, can love survive the ultimate betrayal? Or will the truth shatter more than just their fake engagement?

Blurb. He was supposed to marry the eldest daughter of the Moretti but he fell for the younger daughter. Maximiliano Bianchi(ML).The heir to the most feared and dangerous mafia empire in New York agrees to an arranged marriage. His betrothed is everything the underworld wants.Sophisticated, beautiful. But on the day of their engagement,Max meets Aaliyah Moretti.Soft-spoken,hazel eyes and innocent but beneath all that,is a ruthless and defiant girl. Amidst everything,Max can't seem to stay away from her. As their forbidden connection goes on. Iris has some skeletons and when the truth is out,might love be enough to save them. Hearts will be broken, loyalty will be tested,ties cut off but only one sister will be able to wear the crown. Characterization. Aaliyah (FM)is a smart,strong-willed young lady who doesn't scare easily.She has hazel eyes,curvy and blonde shoulder length hair. She has her own scars and struggles.She challenges the mafia king any chance she gets. Aaliyah grew up not getting involved in their Mafia affairs. Aaliyah struggles between taking revenge and accepting her feelings for the man she hates. Maximiliano Branchi (Max)is a cold hearted, ruthless and dangerous mafia heir who is feared not only in the underworld but across New York.Physically,he is tall with broad shoulders and bone chicks as sharp as a blade.He has piecing blue eyes that is cold and calculating. He was betrothed to Iris but got eyes for her younger sister Aaliyah. Iris Moretti is a beautiful, sophisticated and well mannered young lady with long dark hair and the shape of a model. She was betrothed to the heir of the Bianchi mafia.She loved Max but loves power and money. She pretends when everyone is watching.

“The contract was only for a year, Mr Gray. I marry you for one year and you stay the fuck away from my properties,” her tone was high-pitched annoyance and anger. “You got it all wrong, sugar. The contract was to quench my thirst for you but all you did was fuel that desire. Now, I want to own you. Your body, heart and fucking soul,” that honeylike baritone was void of its usual teasing now. He meant every word of it. There was no escape for her. ********** As she lay on the operating table, bleeding to death from an abortion her husband, Regal had arranged, Claire saw her life flash before her eyes. Even in her dying state, he refused her a transfusion because donating blood would ‘hurt’ his unborn child. The words pierced through her heart. The man she'd given her world to chose her sister over her without blinking. But then life smiled at her and she was given a second chance to correct her mistakes. What happens when she gambles this chance by stealing from the famous trillionaire, Asher Gray? What will be her fate when he barges into her life and overturns her world with his wicked seduction? When life throws Regal at her feet, begging for a second chance, when old flames ignite, will she let go of the past and forgive or pursue the prospect of a beautiful new love?