Substitute Bride Novels & Stories

"You can only go to the underworld to see her." Mom's smirk froze as Dad's expression turned grim. I floated behind Alex as I looked at his straight back, my heart aching. Mom's shock quickly faded as she commented disdainfully, "Ridiculous! To avoid going home for an arranged marriage and to get money from me, she even lied about her own death. She's really got some nerve!" Seeing how confident they were that I was lying, I only found it ridiculous. At the same time, it seemed only natural that they could not believe it. They only remembered me at this point in time to make me marry in Kelly's place.

“The wedding will take place in two days. And the only change is… the bride will be Isabella. She’s the one who will marry the ruthless Alpha Killian Nightbane.” Her heart stopped. What?

"We worked our asses off for that party, to impress 'the boss' we knew nothing about. You panicked when you heard the bride was missing, and suddenly, you’re announced as the bride? Does that make sense?" I cleared my throat, looking away. "That’s a silly question," I muttered, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. Of all people, I hadn't expected Nora to buy the lie. She wasn’t just my assistant—she was my friend. That was why I had been avoiding a one-on-one conversation with her for so long. "Are you a substitute?" she asked, her voice quieter now. "Did you stand in to save face for Mr. Voss?" Her dark blue eyes met mine, filled with curiosity.

The Wedding Day The cab pulled up to Elysian Grand Hall, the place already buzzing with flashing cameras and murmurs. I stepped out in a deep green dress that hugged my body just right, a silk scarf over my hair, and large sunglasses covering most of my face. Calm on the outside. Boiling inside. Two security guards stopped me at the entrance. “Invitation?” one asked. “I’m the bride’s sister,” I said, holding up an old photo of me, Emily, and Vivian at a gala. “Family.” They exchanged looks. One raised a brow, clearly not expecting that. The other studied the picture, then gave a nod, “Go ahead.”

Struck like a doe in headlights, I simply nod. He smirked at me and gently brought the cloth to my skin. I could smell the cologne on his wrist. The scent made my stomach flutter - earthy and warm like firewood and coffee. My face is once again lit up in a blaze. Ethan doesn’t acknowledge it. He just smiled and put the napkin down. “Are you ready to go shopping?” He asked. I nod once again, speechless. “Good.” He got up, abandoning our table, and held out his hand for me to take. “Let’s make you a bride.”

He asked. I clenched my jaw. “It does to me.” He glanced at me through the rearview mirror, his icy blue eyes boring into mine. “Let’s just say, my bride died this morning, and nobody knows. Now, you will take her place.” Those words hit me like a slap in the face. His bride died… this morning? Like on their wedding day? My heart sank. I was replacing his dead bride. “That’s it?” I asked, my voice raising. “Your bride died this morning, so you decided to pick the first woman you found in the forest?”

“This way, Madam. The master’s quarters are just up ahead. You’ll be staying there, as well.” Ivy followed him, her mind racing. She had agreed to this arrangement—becoming a substitute bride—but this wasn’t part of the plan. She had never expected to find herself living with a stranger, let alone in a place like this. When they reached the door, Finch opened it for her. The first thing Ivy noticed was the sharp scent of disinfectant that stung her nose. The room was pristine, almost too pristine—decorated with bright red symbols celebrating the wedding, yet it didn’t feel festive. In fact, it resembled more of a sterile hospital room.

I took a quick glance at my mother and then looked at him again. “Is it?” I asked unconsciously and then bit my lower lips. What was I saying? The way I was acting was practically giving me away. Can you just get a grip on yourself already, Sapphire? “Okay, let’s try this on you now.” I breathed out in relief as soon as the designer entered and said. “Could you stay outside for a moment while the bride tries on her dress? I know you probably can’t wait to see her in the dress also,’’ she teased.

Still in her vivid smile she asks,“You must be the new bride, right?" I nod, still contemplating if I've seen her before or not. She appears nice due to her manner of approach. “My name is Hannah and I am...." She couldn't finish her words before a steely voice interrupted her. “A substitute wife or I must say a pitiful wife to be."

SOMETHING NEW: Brides are supposed to wear something—anything—new during the wedding ceremony. It can be as small as a trinket, jewelry, an undergarment, or the gown itself. Astrid. I met up with my friends at Starbucks. “So, because Ryder forgot about you, we all have to be sober now?” Dannie asked. I knew what he meant. Since Ryder forgot about me, I had been steering clear of Oil Rig and Rig Style. It was too painful for me to go there. The sweetest guy I’d known didn’t want anything to do with me and looked down at me as if I was the biggest gold-digging slut on the face of the Earth.