LOGINShare
Chapter 37. Meeting the council
Last Updated:
2021-10-07 00:26:31ADRIANA
Somehow, when I dress myself in the scandalous jumpsuit Santiago has picked for me, I find a bit of myself again when I look in the mirror.
I lost a lot of weight but the fabric hugs every remaining curve, shows a great deal of my back, the burgundy color seems to make my eyes burn brighter and the tattoo on my back more vibrant. It’s like a reminder that somewhere between the wreckage there’s still the girl I used to be.
When I rummage through the jewelry Santiago bought me I can’t help but chuckle when I spot the big and heavy golden chained bracelets. The irony just too much to ignore.
They work great with the color of the jumpsuit and I finish up with a combo of golden and black necklaces, black strappy heels with golden heels and soles.
Santiago watches me the entire time getting ready, the hunger in his eyes growing every second as he sees me work on myself. Fear for a repeat of what happened gnaws at me and prevents my confidenc
Jaleesa WritesHey ! How are you liking the novel so far? Let me know in a comment or on my I****m page Jaleesawrites
Related chapters
For bitter or worse Chapter 38. The meeting 1
ADRIANA When everyone is back at the packhouse Santiago leads the way to the dining room. He has his arm wrapped around my waist the entire time, holding me close to him like he is scared to lose me to Farkas or Brjent. The sparks from where his hand touches my back take the edge of this meeting for me, soothing the nervousness that is brewing on my insides. I was dreading to be in one room with all of them, Johanna and Brjent being the only exception. He opens the door and reveals the transformed dining room. The rectangular table we normally dine at has been replaced by a big, round one made from salvaged mango wood and brushed steel. The chairs are still the same though, dark brown leather seats and brushed steel undercarriage. The table has already been set and all the plates have nametags, making sure everybody is seated in varied seats instead of next to one another. I internally cringe when I see I am seated between Sophia and Emerson, the only worse o
Last Updated : 2021-10-13For bitter or worse Chapter 39. The meeting 2
ADRIANA Johanna inches closer to me, concern mixing with the wariness in her eyes. “What do you mean with, he can’t cope with it?” Her eyes rake my body, lingering on every bruise and bite visible, putting one and one together. “Exactly what you think it means, but nothing I can’t cope with.” I tell her, my voice cold and hard, making it very clear that’s all I’m willing to discuss. Johanna and Brjent exchange a knowing glance with each other, like they expected this of the man who still lays unconsciously on the floor. Johanna reaches over and squeezes my arm softly, her eyes full of understanding. “I’m sorry you have to endure this, whenever he gets too much you have a place to rest at our pack.” Brjent nods behind her and I gratefully smile to them. “Thank you, it means a lot to me.” Emerson looks me over once more, seemingly unbothered by my small revelation about my relationship with Santiago. “I need you to explain what you mean with a powerful
Last Updated : 2021-10-16For bitter or worse Chapter 40. A vine above the full moon
SANTIAGOAdriana blossoms under the attention of the other council members, it’s wonderful to see and also a bit unsettling. It seems so easy for her to find her footing again, so easy to find a comfortable rhythm among this kind of company, especially now she knows they hold no grudges from what happened before.To say I’m relieved that it didn’t escalate in a full blown fight is an understatement.Diego has been happily chatting with Alexis the entire night. He is unbearably content with himself now she is willing to talk to him. It cost him a whole lot apologizing, crawling and practically begging, but when she finally gave in, he was so happy I couldn’t even be mad at him for his behavior.So now their bonding, talking about life here, talking about our pack, what they want for their humans. Something like jealousy courses through my body every time I hear Diego’s roaring laugh, I know I want that too, want that with Adri
Last Updated : 2021-10-20For bitter or worse Chapter 41. On the run
ADRIANASantiago leads the both of us into the backyard and I am thankful for that. It’s a bit more secluded, I mean I’m not bothered by nudity, it’s a normal thing being a werewolf, but I just wasn’t feeling stripping down for half his pack.“I can’t wait to see that big puffy dog again.” Alexis grins, she’s been giddy the entire morning. More than happy with the chance to stretch her legs and feel the earth beneath her paws. I can’t help the smirk that creeps up on my face.Santiago catches me smirking. “What’s on your mind?” “Just something big and puffy.” I smirk, Alexis chokes out at that and I can’t hold my laughter anymore. Tears roll down my face and the shocked and questioning expression on Santiago’s face aren’t helping one bit. “What? What is it?” He asks, petting down his beard in case he has something stuck in there. “Nah, come on
Last Updated : 2021-10-24For bitter or worse Chapter 42. Breaking barriers
SANTIAGO I skid to a halt when I arrive at the towns square. Poté and a large part of my warriors have already gathered and are waiting for me to give orders. Poté throws me a shirt and shorts and I quickly shift into my human form. “Listen up! My Mate and I stumbled upon the scent from rogues on the far right side of the mountain. I need Fernando, Jane, Reed, Jose, Maria and Zeke to scout the entire area.” I instruct the wolves in front of me while chucking on the clothes. “Yes Alpha.” They say in unison and dart off. “Poté, I need you to inform the council members and get them here. Gabriel, I want you to assemble a team to defend the packhouse. Daniel, you’re upping patrol. I want it quadrupled.” I bark commands to my warriors, dispatching them to certain area’s and tasks. Everybody knows the drill, having lived and survived many attacks back in Costa Rica, they work like a well oiled machine. And even though Adriana and I only caught a trace of a
Last Updated : 2021-10-24For bitter or worse Chapter 43. No shit Sherlock
XIMENA Adriana and I rush everybody inside the packhouse, she carefully handles the scared children and makes them feel comfortable when they enter the grand hallway. I like the change I am seeing in her, it’s like she freed herself of the shadow my brother had cast on her the last week. She was a hollow shell, a ghost of the girl she was before, but now, finally, I am seeing more and more of the woman I have seen during the Games. She closes the door and I push some buttons on the panel next to the door, activating a lockdown on the building. She meets my eyes, a shocked expression in them. “Did you see that? The way they moved through the street?” Her voice comes out more steadily than I expected, though her face gives away how she feels inside. She’s scared. “Yeah, I saw it. Where ever they’re from, they received extensive training. We should get everybody inside the conference room, it’s the most central and big enough to fit everyone.” I
Last Updated : 2021-10-28For bitter or worse Chapter 44. Nanako Jimmu
SANTIAGOThe stench of rogues inching closer and closer to our border is nauseating, their putrid scent overruling everything. I can’t even smell the blossoming flowers in the bed next to me and my warriors.The audacity to come even as close as they are coming now is surprising, as is the control in how they move. They move like a solid unit instead of the chaotic and wild runs they normally do, it’s concerning to say the least. It has me and everyone around me on high alert.Brjent, Farkas and Emerson all stand beside me, all our eyes are trained on the edge of the forest. Sophia, Lilly and Johanna are working with the warriors in the village, on their way to protect vulnerable buildings like the packhouse and the hospital. I know I don’t need to worry about them, they are more than capable in handling themselves.The rogues remain in the shadow of the forest though, like they are waiting for someone, waiting for an okay.A mome
Last Updated : 2021-10-29For bitter or worse Chapter 45. Requiem for a dream 1
ADRIANA “I think I might have overdone it.” I stumble over my words and grab the coatrack beside the front door. The actions are too much and the world around me spins. Right before I fall down and everything turns dark, an arm wraps itself around me. “No shit Sherlock.” Is the last thing I hear before I pummel into the darkness. Falling down the darkness morphs, stars and rays of color fill the space I fall through, until I have a sense of getting carried instead of falling. The rays of color slow down around me and I drop to a golden marble floor, hard. For a few seconds I just lay on the floor, sucking in much needed air and marveling over the space I am in. The walls around me are high and plastered with intricate, woven design of golden pipes. The ceiling is translucent, it shimmers and moves somehow. It’s beauty is exquisite. My gaze falls on the tall redhead in the center of the room. He’s dressed in jeans and a green button down, sleeves rolled up. “T
Last Updated : 2021-11-10
Latest chapter
For bitter or worse Chapter 51. Tippy toes
SANTIAGO I look over the group of warriors gathered before me andPoté. They are a hard bunch, roughened up by wars and battles, but right now they don´t feel like it. We have lost three good warriors this weekend to that freak attack of the rogues and my troops are a bit down and restless. From the corner of myeyeI see Jane has started her training with the small group of women that are good fighters, but not yet good enough to make the warrior squad. Adriana is also
For bitter or worse Chapter 50. Training
ADRIANA I don’t really know what came over me this morning, I mean, I normally don’t relax around Santiago, I don’t let loose. But he has been different the entire evening and this morning, well he did keep his word, he didn’t hurt me. If anything, he gave me a hell of a lot of pleasure. I don’t know, I just have this feeling he is willing to change, willing to adjust his outlook on the world. I just pray to the goddesses my intuition is right about it. He has been gentle and sweet all
For bitter or worse Chapter 50. New grounds
SANTIAGOMy kitten somehow filledoutin the time she has spent with her family, a healthy blush on hercheeks, alert, fierce eyesand a sass in herstepI haven't sincethe first timeIlaidmy eyes on her.She leads the way to the packhouse,her head heldhigh like she isroyalty."Like a true Luna." Diego murmurs softly,watching our Mate with thesame curiosityand caution as I do.I and I can't
For bitter or worse Chapter 48. Family time
ADRIANAThe rest of the day goes by without any incidents. Santiago has been avoiding me as I have been avoiding him the entire day, I dodged the council members by saying I wasn’t feeling to well and needed some down time with my own family and my family and friends have been there for me the entire day.It was like back home again. Sabine and dad made sure everyone had enough food in their belly the entire day, I played fantastical games with Rover, Jenna and Ximena when she joined in. Rui and his mom Marianna came over for lunch. He and Rover really got along, they painted their nails together and Rui showed him some wrestling grips in the backyard. “Because real tough guys can do both!” Rover exclaimed when dad asked him about it.The entire day had me feel so loved, so happy and carefree. Like life wasn’t full of tests and hardships and difficult choices in the future, like I was just a twenty year old enjoying her summer in Spain wi
For bitter or worse Chapter 47. Even better then Spiderman
ADRIANA The sound of a wolf howling rings in my ears, or, not in my ears but in my head. “Wake up! Wake up you stupid!” Alexis paces through my head and another wolf howls again, it’s loud and whining. “Urgh, just let me sleep. Get him to shut up.” I groan. Him.. Oh fuck! It’s Diego and he sounds pissed as fuck. My eyes flutter open, the room I’m in swirls around me and I have a tough time getting a sharp vision. My head feels like exploding and my body feels heavy and weak. The room is a mix of all types of scents and soft murmurs. The warmth and the scent around me is more than just familiar, sweet cardamom, black pepper and cedar wood, Goddess it’s so good. “Mate.” I mutter, still dizzy and a bit sleep drunk. Until my foggy brain catches up with everything that’s happening. I’m no longer in Olympus, I am back in the conference room and staring down on me is an incredibly angry Alpha. “What are you doing here? Why am I on top of this table?” My gaze
For bitter or worse Chapter 46. Requiem for a dream 2
ADRIANAI blink a few times, processing what she just said. “I can’t kill my mate, he’ll murder me before I have the chance.” My eyes dart between the three women, panic taking root in my gut. Selene squeezes my hand and a sense of calm comes over me. “You are a daughter of Hecate, Alexis is my daughter and Ingvar is one of the most powerful vampires that ever have walked the earth. I think you could do much more than just kill him if you want to. Besides, it not like you’ve marked him.” Selene shrugs her shoulders nonchalantly when she says the last part.“I know, but still, I’m no murderer. I never killed anything, except for the occasional bunny when I let Alexis out on a run. And, aren’t all wolves your children?” I look at her quizzingly. A look crosses the three women their faces, like they find me cute and innocent.“Do you really think that, because I think you were ready to kill to
For bitter or worse Chapter 45. Requiem for a dream 1
ADRIANA “I think I might have overdone it.” I stumble over my words and grab the coatrack beside the front door. The actions are too much and the world around me spins. Right before I fall down and everything turns dark, an arm wraps itself around me. “No shit Sherlock.” Is the last thing I hear before I pummel into the darkness. Falling down the darkness morphs, stars and rays of color fill the space I fall through, until I have a sense of getting carried instead of falling. The rays of color slow down around me and I drop to a golden marble floor, hard. For a few seconds I just lay on the floor, sucking in much needed air and marveling over the space I am in. The walls around me are high and plastered with intricate, woven design of golden pipes. The ceiling is translucent, it shimmers and moves somehow. It’s beauty is exquisite. My gaze falls on the tall redhead in the center of the room. He’s dressed in jeans and a green button down, sleeves rolled up. “T
For bitter or worse Chapter 44. Nanako Jimmu
SANTIAGOThe stench of rogues inching closer and closer to our border is nauseating, their putrid scent overruling everything. I can’t even smell the blossoming flowers in the bed next to me and my warriors.The audacity to come even as close as they are coming now is surprising, as is the control in how they move. They move like a solid unit instead of the chaotic and wild runs they normally do, it’s concerning to say the least. It has me and everyone around me on high alert.Brjent, Farkas and Emerson all stand beside me, all our eyes are trained on the edge of the forest. Sophia, Lilly and Johanna are working with the warriors in the village, on their way to protect vulnerable buildings like the packhouse and the hospital. I know I don’t need to worry about them, they are more than capable in handling themselves.The rogues remain in the shadow of the forest though, like they are waiting for someone, waiting for an okay.A mome
For bitter or worse Chapter 43. No shit Sherlock
XIMENA Adriana and I rush everybody inside the packhouse, she carefully handles the scared children and makes them feel comfortable when they enter the grand hallway. I like the change I am seeing in her, it’s like she freed herself of the shadow my brother had cast on her the last week. She was a hollow shell, a ghost of the girl she was before, but now, finally, I am seeing more and more of the woman I have seen during the Games. She closes the door and I push some buttons on the panel next to the door, activating a lockdown on the building. She meets my eyes, a shocked expression in them. “Did you see that? The way they moved through the street?” Her voice comes out more steadily than I expected, though her face gives away how she feels inside. She’s scared. “Yeah, I saw it. Where ever they’re from, they received extensive training. We should get everybody inside the conference room, it’s the most central and big enough to fit everyone.” I
