Substitute Crossword Clue

Elena has always been an outcast. Born with a hole in her heart, blamed for her mother’s death during childbirth, rejected by her father, and treated as a servant in her own home, she grew up lonely and unloved. With a weak heart that leaves her fragile, she had never felt like she belonged. Until the night everything changed. At the Full Moon Festival, everyone is shocked when the mate bond ties the smoking hot and ruthless immortal Lycan King; Lycan Nikolai, to Elena. For centuries, Nikolai has searched for his destined Luna—a reincarnation of the powerful woman he once loved but lost tragically. Realizing that Elena is weak and sick, he rejects her without a second thought. Elena’s stepsister, Sophie, gladly takes her place as Nikolai’s Luna, unaware that fate has other plans. A tragic accident that plunges Sophia into a state of coma forces Elena into the role she never wanted. She becomes a substitute bride to a king who sees her as worthless and a total waste of time. Thrown into a ruthless world of elite wolves, betrayal, and secrets, Elena is determined to survive. As she uncovers her own hidden strength, she begins to form an undeniable bond with Nikolai. But Sophie won’t let go so easily, and the shadows of Nikolai’s past threaten to destroy everything. Secrets unravel, prophecies are revealed, and enemies rise from the shadows. Will Nikolai see past her weakness to the powerful woman she truly is, or will the ghosts of their pasts and present temptations destroy them both?

Roxanne's fiancé was suddenly snatched by her stepsister. In return, she got into a forced marriage with her stepsister's fiancé, a wealthy billionaire whom her sister had rejected because he was disabled.Bound by familial obligations and in order to reclaim her late mother's shopping center, Roxanne agreed to replace her sister and marry the "Crippled" billionaire, Henry Ford. Little did she know that she had thrown a rock and picked a diamond instead. Henry Ford, the crippled billionaire, was more than meets the eye! For Roxanne, the grass was indeed greener on Henry Ford's side. …"Make me yours, Henry," Roxanne said, her eyes pleading. Henry's electric blue eyes whirled with affection as he gazed into her eyes. His love was all that mattered to her. "Roxy, are you certain? Once I make you mine, there's no turning back." Henry's eyes darkened as he got closer to her. “Is this what you really want?”"You don't want me?" Roxanne asked instead, looking sad. Henry grabbed her wrist and pulled her onto his lap. He glanced down at her and whispered, "I've wanted you from the very first day I laid my eyes on you." Roxanne's heart skipped a beat as she felt the intensity of his grip. She could sense the raw desire in his touch, and it sent delicious shivers down her spine. “Then prove it,” she whispered breathlessly.

"Richard will always be mine, Elena," The corner of her lips curled up into a sly smirk. Advancing closer, she leaned in to whisper against my ear softly. "Even if I have to kill you to have him to myself, I'll do it." - He's the man she's always loved. The man she's always felt strongly for. But he has eyes on one person only; her hot-shot surgeon sister. When her twin sister fails to show up on her wedding day, Elena Williams has no choice but to step up to the occasion and take her place - but marriage to the noble Richard Delmonte is both exciting and torturous. The elusive, established billionaire mogul and one of the most eligible bachelor of New York is the only man she's ever loved. The only man who's ever filled up her nights. Yet he's madly in love with her sister. Now that her dream has come true and she's married to him at last, Elena vows to do everything in her power to win him over. Even if it costs bringing down the heavens for him.

When Silene's mother died she continued to work as a servant for The Arrowhead Pack in order to pay her mother's debt. She endured a lot of emotional strains and suffering as she was maltreated and constantly abused, she always dreamt of finding her mate and leaving her life of slavery behind. But what happens when Harol, the daughter of The Alpha of The Arrowhead Pack runs away from home on the morning of her wedding, and Silene is forced to marry the arrogant and supercilious Alpha Lustrows of the Silver Pack in her place? What happens when the Silver Pack mansion is full of dark and horrifying secrets? What happens when she finds her true mate?

My boyfriend, also my childhood sweetheart, is awakened. He realizes he's the male protagonist in a romance novel, and I'm the female side character. He tells me that I'll never leave him according to the plot. So, he's sure that I won't break up with him. He cheats on me with the female protagonist for two years and does everything a couple should do. It's only when I decidedly dump him that he realizes what a dumb plot he's believed in.

Gregory Stevens, a newly arrived student at Blackwood International College, mysteriously disappears from the elite private school. Erik Wilson must track him down without anyone knowing that they are hackers. With every clue that Erik discovers the lines become more and more blurred surrounding Gregory, and who he truly might be. The first clue he finds is a half-burned cryptic note that reads "Ric$40" written on top of Gregory's uniform in his dorm room. That same clue appears on Gregory's smartwatch as well. The realm of hacking knows his name and invites him to join in, and play.

What is obsession? Am I obsessed? At first, I was just his substitute, then I became his real bride, then the supposed real bride returned, and I was kidnapped, tortured, and forced to divorce. Then I committed suicide because I couldn’t handle it, but I didn’t fucking die. Then I became a stalker of my ex-husband, who barely remembers me because I was declared dead by the world, and my face got melted down when acid was poured on me. I had a surgery that changed my whole face and my entire identity. Then I started working for him again and he fell in love with the new me, yet still traumatized by the old me, so I had to reveal to him that I was the same person. He was happy and relieved, but the world wasn’t. We were chewed on, spat out, and stepped on. Then he was fired from his company by his grandmother, who adopted a new son to take over the company. Then I was kidnapped again, and bombs were planted on me. We were able to defuse the bomb and escape. Then we were shot in the head by God knows who. His surgery was successful, but mine wasn’t, so I forgot everything about him and was forbidden to remember because a damn bullet is stuck in my head that could kill me if it moves to a sensitive part of my brain. Then suddenly, he was on the TV, framed for murder. I couldn’t hold back, I found myself in prison fighting for him with a gun in my hand, and somehow ended up in a coma, because the damn bullet in my head shifted… to the wrong direction. Then, in between this chaos, the doctor announced I-was-pregnant.

I knock on the door, heart pounding like it always does when I’m about to see him. “Come in,” Justin’s voice calls—cool, smooth, and frustratingly calm. I take a deep breath and walk in, holding the folder tightly. “Here’s the report you requested, sir.” He doesn’t even glance at me. Just keeps typing, his expression unreadable. “You’re late,” he says without missing a beat. I clench my jaw. “There was a delay at the printer—” “No excuses, Joanna. Just do better next time.” Ouch. Professional and cold. As always. I nod, ignoring the sting in my chest. “Yes, sir.” I turn to leave, gripping the doorknob—just one more second and I’ll be out of this weird tension-filled office— “Wait.” I freeze. I turn around slowly. “Yes?” Justin stands now, walking toward me. In his hand, a familiar brown paper bag. He holds it out. “You didn’t have lunch.” I blink. “I’m fine.” “You skipped breakfast too. Eat.” I hesitate. “What is it?” “Chicken pesto. No onions.” My breath catches. He still remembers? “Why are you doing this?” I ask quietly. He shrugs, not meeting my eyes. “I just… remember things.” My fingers brush his as I take the bag. Warmth. Stupid warmth that shouldn’t still feel this familiar. Then, he looks at me—really looks at me. “You shouldn’t skip meals… wife.” Silence. My chest tightens. “Don’t call me that.” But my voice is too soft to sound convincing. I walk out before I say something I’ll regret. His words echo in my mind like a dangerous lullaby. Cold one second. Kilig the next. God… he’s still him. And that’s exactly the problem.

---- Contains some triggering scenes like brutal punishments, steamy scenes, killings, but no rape. ---- "Please," Olivia moaned, gripping the strong forearms that wrapped around her tightly. "More..." "You want more," Titan murmured hoarsely, sliding his hands across her pebbled nipples, his eyes glowing as he watched her writhe with pleasure. "I can give you that. I will give you so much so that every werewolf within a hundred miles radius will hear you scream my name. Feast on your addicting nectar until I tire out... and then," he reached for her face, tilting it upward. The wicked glint in his eyes made her shudder. "-and then I will break you into a million pieces." *** All her life, Olivia Carter had felt unwanted. Being treated like a slave by her stepmom and step-sister, she had longed and hoped for a day she would be truly desired for who she was. A wofless pup. Lycan King Titan Black, rumored to be a ruthless, volatile monster who killed his mate, needed a Luna and sought out a bride. When his betrothed, Olivia's sister runs away in fear, Olivia is chosen as the substitute bride, sent to 'die' in her stead. However, the sizzling attraction between them stuns them both and sends them into a spiral of hate, love, and anger. What happens when an exposed secret that changes everything Titan and Olivia ever knew, is thrown into the mix? Their love may either be their very doom or salvation.

She was just a jilted bride-to-be looking to drown her sorrows. He was a billionaire bachelor resigned to an arranged marriage. But when their worlds collided one fateful night, Lily Walker and James Watson did the unthinkable - they got drunk-married in a spirited act of rebellion. Now, Lily finds herself thrust into James' ultra-elite social circle where his vengeful ex-fiancée Chloe will do anything to take her down. Chloe wages a relentless campaign to sabotage the new couple, Stop at nothing to destroy Lily and dissolve the marriage she sees as a sham. Banding together against the salacious gossip and endless scheming, Lily and James gradually fall for each other's fiery spirits. But darker secrets and escalating scandals loom, threatening to tear them apart for good. Can they fight against the vicious social vultures and build a real partnership? Or will high society's devious shadows finally force Lily out of the lavish life she never asked for?