Substitute

Layla Monroe has always been the overlooked daughter in a family that treasures beauty over loyalty. Betrayed by her boyfriend and overshadowed by her stepsister, Celeste, Layla has learned to survive without the support of those who should love her most. But when her family’s business teeters on the brink of ruin, they demand a sacrifice: a loveless marriage to Damian Blackwood, a man with secrets as deep as his grudges. Reluctantly, Layla agrees, believing Damian to be a penniless partner in her family’s plot. But her husband is hiding an empire—and a vendetta. What begins as a calculated alliance shift into something more as Layla uncovers Damian’s plans for revenge against her family and his unexpected role in her future. When old enemies and past lovers return, threatening to destroy everything she’s fought for, Layla must choose: protect the family that betrayed her or forge her path with the man who could be her undoing—or her redemption. In a world of lies and betrayal, can Layla find the strength to reclaim her worth and take control of her destiny?

Camilla walks into my study, and the air shifts. She's a distraction I can't afford, but fuck if I can resist her. Her fingers trace the edge of my desk, her eyes locked onto mine. "What are you doing, Camilla?" I growl, my control already fraying. She's a walking temptation, and she knows it. She smirks, her voice a sultry whisper, already undoing me. "Pushing your buttons, Zeke. Seeing how far I can go before you snap." My control falters. I spin her around, pressing her against the desk. My hands roam over her body, and I can feel her submitting. "You want this?" I ask, my voice a low growl. "You want to see the beast you're unleashing?" *** Camilla Dawson never expected to see the sinfully hot stranger she once hooked up with in a public washroom ever again. But fate—or rather, a father she never knew existed—has other plans. Now, she's bound and delivered as payment for a debt, straight into the hands of none other than Zeke Russell—the ruthless kingpin who always gets what he wants. Zeke built his empire on power and control, and he never takes no for an answer. Business or pleasure, the rules are his. It’s been years, but he’s never forgotten the woman who left him wanting more. Now, with Camilla thrust into his world as a replacement for his promised bride, everything spirals into chaos. She was never supposed to matter. Yet somehow, she’s slipping past his defenses, unearthing secrets he’s buried deep—and igniting a dangerous obsession. And when enemies close in, there’s nothing he won’t do to keep her. After all, what’s one more crime in the name of love?

Grace Conner's life was a tapestry of tragedy. After losing her mother too soon, she became a prisoner in her own home, tormented by a cruel stepmother, ignored by her own father and a stepbrother who shattered her innocence. Everyone turned a blind eye to her torment, and ignored her cries for help, leaving her to endure years of abuse. When her stepbrother returned from abroad and tried to take what she refused to give, Grace did the unthinkable- she ran. Her desperate escape led her on the wedding aisle to marry a man, the world feared. Ruthless, powerful and unyielding, he was everything she should have avoided. The man provided her warmth, protection and a love so fierce, it shattered the chains of her past. He was ready to burn the world for her and he did.

The Robinson and Fowl families are both powerful, wealthy, and influential, deeply involved in legitimate business and mafia activities. To solidify their power and wealth, the Robinsons propose an alliance through marriage, which the Fowls agree to, thinking it will benefit both families. Unbeknownst to the Robinsons, the Fowls have twin daughters: Klarisse, who ran away from the mafia life to live independently, and Klara, who is frail and has always stayed with their parents. When Klara unexpectedly dies, the Fowls convince Klarisse to take her sister’s place in the arranged marriage to maintain the alliance. Klarisse marries Alexander Robinson, who is shocked to find out they already know each other. Alexander is secretly in love with Maxine, which Klarisse soon discovers. Despite her growing feelings for Alexander, Klarisse allows him and Maxine to meet secretly, hoping to respect their relationship. However, Maxine, feeling hurt and unwilling to be a mistress, decides to leave without informing anyone. Alexander is devastated by Maxine's disappearance, but Klarisse stands by him, revealing she had a twin sister who was supposed to marry him. Klarisse remains supportive despite Alexander’s initial anger, and over time, Alexander begins to fall in love with Klarisse. They build a peaceful and loving life together, eventually having fraternal twins. However, chaos erupts when Alexander’s enemy resurfaces and kidnaps Maxine. Feeling obligated to rescue her due to their past, Alexander faces his cunning enemy, who also captures Klarisse. In a final showdown, Alexander navigates through his enemy’s traps to save both Maxine and Klarisse, with the help of both families. After the rescue, Alexander makes it clear that he no longer loves Maxine and returns to his happy life with Klarisse and their twins. The families strengthen their alliance, and peace is restored.

My CEO wife insists on taking a young, fresh intern under her wing. She wants to train him personally. She says to me, "Don't overthink this. I just value his potential." She's always been stern and stoic, but she starts dressing in pink and pulling her hair back in high ponytails. On our third wedding anniversary, she and the intern even willfully disappear for 48 hours. When others are searching for her like mad, she shares photos of her riding a carousel and holding cotton candy. She captions them, "I found the purest of joys in the most joyful of places—all because of you!" Our company loses a huge project because of this, and I lose my wife. I slip a divorce agreement between the pages of the intern's application to become a permanent staff member. My wife signs it without even looking and says, "Knowing what Elliot can do, he's more than capable of carrying out the role of a vice president." I calmly hand her my resignation. "You're right. That's why I'll make way for him."

Alpha Karl Baron 30 years old leaves his Pack with no trace after he was set to marry a woman whom his family had chosen from birth. They had both been betrothed but never met in real life although gifts were being sent to the female renowned family. Karl is considered one of the ruthless and arrogant Alphas after the reign of his father who passed on two years ago. Naya/Avery a 26-year-old woman betrothed to the Beowulf Alpha goes out to have a clear mind because she had to come to terms with the da t that she had to marry a man she had never met before. Instead of resting, she ends up in a mysterious part of the forest which leads her to have Amnesia as she couldn't remember when or how she got to this place. She couldn't remember her name. Karl also wakes up by her side and becomes smitten with her beautiful features he tends to her wounds and when she wakes she couldn't remember her name hence he begins to call her Avery for the time being. His Pack elders send out a search party and once he is found, he tells them if they didn't take Avery with him he wasn't going anywhere. Of course, he knew he was needed at the Pack hence they had no choice but to let him have his way and bring her back to the Pack until she regains her memory to return home to her people. Unfortunately when they return the betrothed girl couldn't be found so the next substitute was a female from another renowned family even after Karl lets the elders know he wanted Naya they couldn't accept because her background wasn't known and commoners could not be associated with the pack family.

My husband, Julian Sutton, is busy with work on the day of my prenatal checkup. His childhood sweetheart, Vera Levine, with whom he's been amorous for years, offers to drive me. On the way there, she suddenly swerves and rams into the back of a truck. The car is flattened. Julian is a doctor in the emergency room, but I don't call him. Instead, I dial 911 and wait for assistance. Why? I called him in my past life, and he took me to the hospital. Our child was saved, but Vera died due to significant blood loss. Julian claimed not to blame me and even arranged for me to stay in a private hospital ward. But on the day I was discharged, he dragged me to Vera's grave and stabbed me. I lost the child and was on the verge of death as I stared into his bloodshot eyes. They were filled with unbridled hatred as he snarled, "Vera wouldn't have died if you hadn't grabbed the wheel! Don't think I'll believe you just because you're acting innocent! An eye for an eye—I want you to die for her, but only after experiencing the pain she felt in a hundredfold!" He twisted the blade and stabbed me repeatedly. My blood splattered on Vera's gravestone, dying it red. When I open my eyes again, I find that I've been taken back to the scene of the accident.

"You may have the power to force a marriage but not love." — Daphne Del Mundo. "When there's truth, then there must also be a lie." — Tyler Grossman. Daphne was forced to become the substitute bride for her sister who fled from the wedding. Her husband was really nice to her at first. But later did she know that she married a cold blooded bastard. Daphne's life with her husband will turn upside down. She will began to realize the misery the wedding made her and her decision to be his 'Temporary Wife'. Due to her traumatic experiences as a child, Daphne will began to overthink things that could possibly make the marriage to fall apart. How will they be able to find love if their hearts was never used to it in the first place? Or was there any truth playing with them behind close doors?

WARNING!!! 18+ This book contains explicitly steamy scenes. Read only if you're in for a wild naughty ride. ~~~ "You're wet, Kira," He growled, spanking me harder. Two broad fingers teased me and sunk right into my hot wet cunt. Slowly. Deliciously. "What naughty thoughts have you been thinking, baby girl?" **** Kira Andrews is a good girl. Straight A's, the perfect daughter and soon-to-be-married off to a stranger! Annoyed by her parents for engaging her without her consent, Kira goes on a streak of rebellion. She drafts a list of naughty depraved things she wants to do which somehow gets sent to the mail of the Billionaire hotshot Xavier Barnes. Xavier Barnes is intrigued by Kira and her innocence, eager to claim her- until they discover she is engaged to his baby brother. Kira decides whatever they have has to end. And Xavier? Well, he shows up at her college as her substitute professor, determined to make her his at all costs.

Don’t you dare take off the mask,” my stepmother warned. I won’t. Not when the man I’ve always loved believes I’m someone else. And I’m carrying his child. Elena Downs, the illegitimate Omega daughter of the Beta, has always been branded a bad omen. She was never meant to step foot in the Alpha’s mansion, let alone marry him. But when her stepsister—Alpha Xavier’s betrothe, vanishes on their wedding night, Elena is forced to take her place... behind a mask. Xavier loves Elena. He just doesn’t know it’s her. Her scent, masked by her sister’s, pushes him away even as their bond pulls him closer. With every lie, every forbidden touch, and every heartbeat, Elena’s secret grows, along with the life inside her. But when betrayal explodes into heartbreak and rejection, Elena disappears... Only to wake up in the arms of Alpha Logan, a rival leader with soft eyes, gentle hands, and no questions. But her past isn't done with her yet. Torn between two Alphas, hunted by secrets, and a love she never stopped feeling… Elena must decide: Will she return to the one that shattered her heart ?. Or choose the one who helped her heal?.