MARRIED AS A REPLACEMENT BRIDE

MARRIED AS A REPLACEMENT BRIDE

susanugwu72 · Completed · 228.6k Words

837
Hot
1.1k
Views
251
Added
Add to Shelf
Start Reading
Share:facebooktwitterpinterestwhatsappreddit

Introduction

I scrambled to my feet, my heart racing, and pulled out the second knife hidden along my strap. Turning to Silvio, I held the blade up, pointing it directly at him, my hand unwavering. "Stay back," I warned, my voice low but firm. "One more step, and I swear I'll end you."

Silvio raised his hands slightly, his eyes narrowing as he watched me. "You've got some fight in you," he said, a hint of admiration in his voice. "I didn't expect that."

"Don't push your luck," I snapped, tightening my grip on the knife. "I'm not afraid to use this."

"I love this," he whispered into my ear, his lips grazing the shell of it, sending shivers down my spine. "Your body, Martina. And I would love to have you on my bed tonight."

**
Martina Moretti lived a life that was never supposed to be a high-stakes gamble in the world of crime and power. Taking her sister's place in an arranged marriage to the feared Silvio Argento, Martina stepped into a deadly game where love could be her greatest weapon or her ultimate downfall. As the web of betrayal unfolded and secrets came to the surface, Martina and Silvio would have to brave the treacherous waters of loyalty and ambition. Will they be able to trust each other long enough to make it through, or will their enemies finally succeed in tearing them apart?

⚠️⚠️18+ ONLY
This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic violence, blood, death, and scenes involving gun violence. It also explores themes of forbidden romance and morally complex relationships.

Reader discretion is strongly advised. This story is intended for mature audiences only (18+).

Chapter 1

Martina's POV

The soft rustle of the wind outside was the only sound in the room. The morning sun streamed through the tall windows, casting long shadows across the floor. I stood beside the window, my back straight, my face tilted slightly away. The delicate lace of the veil draped over my head felt suffocating, but I didn't move.

The heavy door yawned open; his footsteps firm, echoed across the marble floor. I didn't turn, didn't flinch.

"There you are, you little brat!" My father's voice boomed, a furious threat. "Get your ass to the altar and marry Silvio Argento. Serafina Moretti, you're getting married today, whether dead or alive!"

I felt his eyes burning into the back of my head, waiting for a response, waiting for me—no, waiting for her—to crumble. But I said nothing. My breathing was even; my gaze was fixed on the horizon beyond the window.

He wouldn’t realize it wasn’t Serafina. He couldn't. As long as I didn’t move or speak, he wouldn’t know that I, Martina, stood in her place. My heart raced, but I forced calm into my body. Serafina had to have more time.

The minutes ticked by, and the seconds dragged on in silence between us. It was only after what felt like an eternity that I heard his frustrated huff. His footsteps receded, the door slamming shut behind him.

It wasn't until then that I exhaled, my hands shaking slightly as I turned away from the window. I glanced around the empty room, feeling the weight of the secret I carried. This wasn't how today was supposed to go.

The grand church loomed ahead, the pointed spires like the shadows that they cast from the busy people out front. I made my way down the aisle as murmur after murmur announced my presence to the growing guests. Lavish decorations, scents of flowers, the flicker of candlelight oppressed me.

Standing at the altar, I could feel hundreds of eyes upon me, waiting, watching. The veil concealed most of my face.

Thick tension filled the church. Every passing second without Silvio's arrival seemed to deepen it. My fingers, hidden by the veil, whitened as I closed my grip on the bouquet. I could feel the weight of the silence, the growing whispers of the guests seated in the pews.

Suddenly, a shrill ring pierced the air. The tension was cut as all heads turned to Mr. Nicolas, Silvio's uncle, as he stepped aside to answer the call. His face darkened as he listened, his brow furrowing deeper with each passing moment. After a brief exchange, he ended the call, his lips pressed into a grim line.

He turned to the altar, approaching the Reverend Father with measured steps. He leaned in slightly, speaking in a low, somber tone, but his words carried through the quiet church. "Apologies, Father, but I'm afraid my nephew, Silvio Argento, was involved in an accident. Can we just pray for his safety?"

The audience unified in their collective gasp, while my heartbeat threatened to launch into orbit even as I strove to compose myself. The Reverend nodded grave faced with concern etched on every feature as his clasped hands prepared to take the church through prayers.

Before he could utter a word, my father stormed up to Mr. Nicolas, his face masked in barely-contained rage, the voice low and dangerous, but audible for those closest to the altar. "This is unacceptable, Nicolas. What about our deal?"

Mr. Nicolas turned to face my father, his face calm, almost smug. "Don't worry," he said in his smooth, unshaken voice. "Our deal is still on."

The exchange was brief, but it was enough to provoke a new wave of whispers amongst the guests. The murmurs grew louder, spreading like wildfire through the pews.

"I heard every woman who spends a night with Silvio ends up dead," a woman whispered to her neighbor, a mix of fear and intrigue in her voice.

"Isn't it strange?" another guest whispered, leaning in closer to the person next to them. "Accidents seem to follow him like a shadow."

"Maybe this is just his karma," a man speculated, shaking his head. "It's said he has more enemies than friends." Speculation hummed in the air.

Mr. Nicolas cleared his throat, demanding the attention of the restive guests. He adjusted his tie, stepping forward with an air of authority. "As a matter of fact," he announced, his voice steady, "I will step in to marry your—"

The heavy doors at the back of the church creaked open, and every head turned. Silvio Argento stood in the doorway, his presence immediately commanding the room. The church was filled with gasps as all who were in attendance took in his disheveled appearance: torn suit in places, his face and hands smeared with blood. He didn't seem to care one whit. One hand reached up to wipe at the blood on his face, smearing it further, while the other remained clenched at his side.

"Sorry I was late," Silvio said, his voice smooth but icy. "I had a few, uh. loose ends to tie up."

I just stood frozen at the altar, my breath catching in my throat. The pounding of my heart was one of fear. Oh, God, I thought, my mind racing. Did he just kill someone?

Mr. Nicolas composed himself in an instant, his face a mask of forced calm. "Silvio," he started, attempting to step forward, but Silvio had cut him off before he could say anything more.

"Disappointed to see me, Uncle Nicolas?" Silvio's voice was cold, while his gaze pierced through the older man.

"Nonsense," Nicolas replied, his voice faltering slightly as he forced a smile. "We were  waiting for you to arrive since."

Silvio's lips curled into a smirk, his eyes never leaving Nicolas. "Great. Now, what are we waiting for?" He turned his attention to the Reverend Father. "Father, let's start the wedding."

The Reverend, after a brief pause, nodded solemnly, stepping back into position.

Last Chapters

You Might Like 😍

The Biker's Fate

The Biker's Fate

917.1k Views · Completed · Piper Davenport
"You are absolutely my fucking woman, Dani. Got me?"
I squeezed my eyes shut.
"Dani," he pressed. "Do you get me?"
"No, Austin, I don't," I admitted as I pulled my robe closed again and sat up. "You confuse me."
He dragged his hands down his face. "Tell me what's on your mind."
I sighed. "You're everything my parents warned me against. You're secretive, but you're also honest. I feel wholly protected by you, but then you scare me more than anyone I've ever known. You're a bad boy, but when I dated a so-called good one, he turned out to be the devil, so, yeah, I don't get you because you're not what I expected. You drive me crazier than anyone I've ever met, but then you make me feel complete. I'm feeling things I don't quite know how to process and that makes me want to run. I don't want to give up something that might be really, really good, but I also don't want to be stupid and fall for a boy just because he's super pretty and makes me come."
Danielle Harris is the daughter of an overprotective police chief and has led a sheltered life. As a kindergarten teacher, she's as far removed from the world of Harleys and bikers as you could get, but when she's rescued by the sexy and dangerous Austin Carver, her life is changed forever.
Although Austin 'Booker' Carver is enamored by the innocent Dani, he tries to keep the police chief's daughter at arm's length. But when a threat is made from an unexpected source, he finds himself falling hard and fast for the only woman who can tame his wild heart.
Will Booker be able to find the source of the threat before it's too late?
Will Dani finally give her heart to a man who's everything she's been warned about?
His Mission

His Mission

354.4k Views · Completed · Sakz Hussain
Meet Emily Wentworth. Since the death of her father, she's been living a home life full of abuse. It's remained a secret for years until she meets the town's bad boy, Jake Melvin. It doesn't take long for him to figure out her secret.

Emily is suddenly thrown from one world of danger and uncertainty into another. The two teens ride the rollercoaster of love, unbelievable betrayal and heartache.
I Slapped My Fiancé—Then Married His Billionaire Nemesis

I Slapped My Fiancé—Then Married His Billionaire Nemesis

189.8k Views · Completed · Jessica C. Dolan
Being second best is practically in my DNA. My sister got the love, the attention, the spotlight. And now, even her damn fiancé.
Technically, Rhys Granger was my fiancé now—billionaire, devastatingly hot, and a walking Wall Street wet dream. My parents shoved me into the engagement after Catherine disappeared, and honestly? I didn’t mind. I’d crushed on Rhys for years. This was my chance, right? My turn to be the chosen one?
Wrong.
One night, he slapped me. Over a mug. A stupid, chipped, ugly mug my sister gave him years ago. That’s when it hit me—he didn’t love me. He didn’t even see me. I was just a warm-bodied placeholder for the woman he actually wanted. And apparently, I wasn’t even worth as much as a glorified coffee cup.
So I slapped him right back, dumped his ass, and prepared for disaster—my parents losing their minds, Rhys throwing a billionaire tantrum, his terrifying family plotting my untimely demise.
Obviously, I needed alcohol. A lot of alcohol.
Enter him.
Tall, dangerous, unfairly hot. The kind of man who makes you want to sin just by existing. I’d met him only once before, and that night, he just happened to be at the same bar as my drunk, self-pitying self. So I did the only logical thing: I dragged him into a hotel room and ripped off his clothes.
It was reckless. It was stupid. It was completely ill-advised.
But it was also: Best. Sex. Of. My. Life.
And, as it turned out, the best decision I’d ever made.
Because my one-night stand isn’t just some random guy. He’s richer than Rhys, more powerful than my entire family, and definitely more dangerous than I should be playing with.
And now, he’s not letting me go.
Omega Bound

Omega Bound

428.2k Views · Completed · Veronica White
Ayla Frost is a beautiful, rare omega. Kidnapped, tortured, and trafficked to rogue clans and corrupt alphas to do with as they pleased.  Kept alive in her cage, broken and abandoned by her wolf, she becomes mute and has given up on hope for a better life until one explosion changes everything. 

Thane Knight is the alpha of the Midnight Pack of the La Plata Mountain Range, the largest wolf shifter pack in the world. He is an alpha by day and hunts the shifter trafficking ring with his group of mercenaries by night. His hunt for vengeance leads to one raid that changes his life. 

Tropes:
Touch her and die/Slow burn romance/Fated Mates/Found family twist/Close circle betrayal/Cinnamon roll for only her/Traumatized heroine/Rare wolf/Hidden powers/Knotting/Nesting/Heats/Luna/Attempted assassination
The War God Alpha's Arranged Bride

The War God Alpha's Arranged Bride

222k Views · Ongoing · Riley Above Story
On the day Evelyn thought Liam would propose, he shocked her by getting down on one knee—for her stepsister, Samantha. As if that betrayal wasn’t enough, Evelyn learned the cruel truth: her parents had already decided to sell one daughter’s future to a dangerous man: the infamous War God Alpha Alexander, who was rumored to be scarred and crippled after a recent accident. And the bride could’t be their precious daughter Samantha. However, when the "ugly and crippled" Alpha revealed his true self—an impossibly handsome billionaire with no trace of injury—Samantha had a change of heart. She was ready to dump Liam and take Evelyn's place as the family daughter who should marry Alexander.
Yet Alexander made his decision clear to the world: “Evelyn is the only woman I will ever marry.”
The Pack: Rule Number 1 - No Mates

The Pack: Rule Number 1 - No Mates

1.6m Views · Ongoing · Jaylee
Soft hot lips find the shell of my ear and he whispers, "You think I don't want you?" He pushes his hips forward, grinding into the back of my ass and I groan. "Really?" He chuckles.

"Let me go," I whimper, my body trembling with need. "I don't want you touching me."

I fall forward onto the bed then turn around to stare at him. The dark tattoos of Domonic's chiseled shoulders, quiver and and expand with the heave of his chest. His deep dimpled smile is full of arrogance as he reaches behind himself to lock the door.

Biting his lip, he stalks toward me, his hand going to the seam of his pants and the thickening bulge there.

"Are you sure you don't want me to touch you?" He whispers, untying the knot and slipping a hand inside. "Because I swear to God, that is all I have been wanting to do. Every single day from the moment you stepped in our bar and I smelled your perfect flavor from across the room."


New to the world of shifters, Draven is human on the run. A beautiful girl who no one could protect. Domonic is the cold Alpha of the Red Wolf Pack. A brotherhood of twelve wolves that live by twelve rules. Rules which they vowed could NEVER be broken.

Especially - Rule Number One - No Mates

When Draven meets Domonic, he knows that she is his mate, but Draven has no idea what a mate is, only that she has fallen in love with a shifter. An Alpha that will break her heart to make her leave. Promising herself, she will never forgive him, she disappears.

But she doesn’t know about the child she’s carrying or that the moment she left, Domonic decided rules were made to be broken - and now will he ever find her again? Will she forgive him?
Mr. Ryan

Mr. Ryan

211.8k Views · Completed · Mary D. Sant
"What things are not under your control tonight?" I gave my best smile, leaning against the wall.
He came closer with a dark and hungry expression,
so close,
his hands reached for my face, and he pressed his body against mine.
His mouth took mine eagerly, a little rudely.
His tongue left me breathless.
“If you don't go with me, I'll fuck you right here.” He whispered.


Katherine kept her virginity for years even after she turned 18. But one day, she met an extremely sexual man Nathan Ryan in the club. He had the most seductive blue eyes she has ever seen, a well-defined chin, almost golden blonde hair, full lips, perfectly drawn, and the most amazing smile, with perfect teeth and those damn dimples. Incredibly sexy.

She and he had a beautiful and hot one-night stand...
Katherine thought she might not meet the man again.
But fate has another plan

Katherine is about to take on the job of assistant to a billionaire who owns one of the biggest companies in the country and is known to be a conquering, authoritative and completely irresistible man. He is Nathan Ryan!

Will Kate be able to resist the charms of this attractive, powerful and seductive man?
Read to know a relationship torn between anger and the uncontrollable desire for pleasure.

Warning: R18+, Only for mature readers.
Goddess Of The Underworld.

Goddess Of The Underworld.

281.1k Views · Ongoing · sheridan.hartin
Left at a pack border with a name and a stubborn heartbeat, Envy grows into the sharpest kind of survivor, an orphaned warrior who knows how to hold a line and keep moving. Love isn’t in the plan…until four alpha wolves with playboy reputations and inconveniently soft hands decide the girl who won’t bow is the only queen they’ll ever take. Their mate. The one they have waited for. Xavier, Haiden, Levi, and Noah are gorgeous, lethal, and anything but perfect and Envy isn’t either. She’s changing. First into hell hound, Layah at her heels and fire in her veins. Then into what the realm has been waiting for, a Goddess of the Underworld, dragging her mates down to hell with her. Then finally into lycan princess, stronger, faster, the moon finally answering back, giving her exactly what she needs to protect her family.

When the veil between the Divine, the Living, and the Dead begins to crack, Envy is thrust beneath with a job she can’t drop: keep the worlds from bleeding together, shepherd the lost, and make ordinary into armor, breakfasts, bedtime, battle plans. Peace lasts exactly one lullaby. This is the story of a border pup who became a goddess by choosing her family; of four imperfect alphas learning how to stay; of cake, iron, and daylight negotiations. Steamy, fierce, and full of heart, Goddess of the Underworld is a reverse harem, found-family paranormal romance where love writes the rules and keeps three realms from falling apart.
Fangs, Fate & Other Bad Decisions

Fangs, Fate & Other Bad Decisions

273.3k Views · Ongoing · Elizma Du Toit
Some bad decisions come back to bite you. Literally.

After finding out her boyfriend cheated, the last thing she expected was to stumble across a wounded man in an alley. And definitely not one with fangs. But thanks to a mix of cocktails, shame, and her questionable life choices, she takes him home. Turns out, he’s not just any vampire—he’s a king. And according to him, she’s his fated mate.

Now, she’s stuck with an overprotective, brooding bloodsucker who keeps rescuing her, a growing list of enemies who want her dead, and an undeniable attraction that’s making it very hard to remember why falling for a vampire is a terrible idea.

Because if she’s not careful, she won’t just lose her heart—she’ll lose her humanity.
Nanny And Her Four Alpha Bullies

Nanny And Her Four Alpha Bullies

425.3k Views · Completed · Eve Above Story
Chloe's underclass mother is married to a billionaire, and she transfers to an elite school to become the first female werewolf warrior.
But her origins make her a thorn in the side of the school's four ruling brothers.
They have to take a little baby girl, less than a year old, to school.
But the baby girl resists everyone ...... except Chloe.
So Chloe, a new adult, is forced to become the baby girl's nanny and live in the bullies' dormitory?
To protect what’s mine

To protect what’s mine

330.1k Views · Ongoing · Winter Rowe
Amalie is more special than she ever thought possible. Why would the twenty-two-year-old think any different after she has been told she’s nothing for her whole life by her family? Adoptive mother of a three-year-old, Ama has been locked up by her family for the past seven years. But everything changes when her old friends, the Alpha twins, Markus and Calyx, take over the Moonstone pack. Finding out that the twins are her mates, she is a white wolf, and has a connection to the Moon Goddess, is just icing on the cake of her life is a huge mess. Ama just wants a normal life with her mates and protecting her pup, but life rarely gives us what we want. She is thrust into world that she no longer remembers and has forgotten her. Amalie is charged with protecting those closest to her. But she has her own past to overcome as she heals and attempts to move forward. Will she come out alive or lose herself along the way? After all, someone has to be pulling the strings, why not pull her along for the ride?
The Son of Red Fang

The Son of Red Fang

172.4k Views · Completed · Diana Sockriter
Alpha werewolves should be cruel and merciless with unquestionable strength and authority, at least that’s what Alpha Charles Redmen believes and he doesn’t hesitate to raise his kids to be the same way.
Alpha Cole Redmen is the youngest of six born to Alpha Charles and Luna Sara Mae, leaders of the Red Fang pack. Born prematurely, Alpha Charles rejected him without hesitation as weak and undeserving of his very life. He is reminded daily of his father’s hatred for him paving the way for the rest of his family to become the same.
By adulthood, his father’s hatred and abuse towards him has spilled over into the rest of the pack making him the scapegoat for those with the sadistic need to see him suffer. The rest are simply too afraid to even look his way leaving him little in the way of friends or family to turn to.
Alpha Demetri Black is the leader of a sanctuary pack known as Crimson Dawn. It’s been years since a wolf has made their way to his pack via the warrior’s prospect program but that doesn’t mean he’s not looking for the tell tale signs of a wolf in need of help.
Malnourished and injured upon his arrival, Cole’s anxious and overly submissive demeanor lands him in the very situation he’s desperate to avoid, in the attention of an unknown alpha.
Yet somehow through the darkness of severe illness and injury he runs into the very person he’s been desperate to find since he turned eighteen, his Luna. His one way ticket out of the hell he’s been born into.
Will Cole find the courage needed to leave his pack once and for all, to seek the love and acceptance he’s never had?

Content Warning: This story contains descriptions of mental, physical and sexual abuse that may trigger sensitive readers. This book is intended for adult readers only.