Bad Love an Alpha’s Regret by Elise Sinclair

Chapter 294

EMILY

The following night, I find myself standing in front of a full-length mirror, glaring at the reflection of me wearing a silver, floor-length silky gown that no doubt cost a small fortune.

When I was younger-before I was taken-I used to love nothing more than picking out expensive couture dresses, spending pampered hours getting my hair, nails and makeup. done for a party just like this one.

I would have loved being the center of attention. I would have loved being all sparkly and frivolous, as I danced and laughed the night away without a care in the world.

That girl doesn’t exist any longer.

That girl was kidnapped, locked away in a tomb, forgotten, left to die a slow death alone.

The girl I am now-the monster-still looks pretty as a picture on the outside.

But inside is all twisted and broken and ugly.

I fear it’s only a matter of time before Aaron and the rest of the pack see what’s beneath the façade and reject me outright.

They’ll banish me from their pack-or worse-and go about their lives.

It’s probably what I deserve.

But it’s not what I want.

For a second, longing comes over me, and the girl I used to be wants her mate.

Axel.

For him to accept me and love me and save me from myself.

I turn sharply away from the mirror, because I can’t stand to look at myself any longer.

And I can’t afford to feel things like that.

Axel rejected me.

made his feelings and intentions

it hurt so much when I don’t even know this

should long for something that I’ve

going to be the pathetic girl who chases after him when he’s

summoned by my thoughts alone-Axel steps into the room

fact that his gaze is dragging slowly up and down my body, and

drawl-the way he always talks, as if normal words can be made into some kind of

the party was in full swing, but I’ve been hiding

I want to protest.

fight and run and tear off this

I don’t cooperate, and part of me is terrified. to find out what

either of them would physically

learned the hard way that there are far more painful and deeper ways to be

acknowledge his presence as I pick up my skirt from

I go by, leaving me shivering, but I tell myself it was probably my

Axel despises me.

me because Aaron requires it

would

a steady pace downstairs, the noise of the party coming up to meet me,

reach the bottom, Aaron appears from somewhere, looking

down. We can do the rounds before

give me a chance to reply

then it’s a blur of, “you remember

And everything in between.

expect me to

Or anyone’s names?

are vaguely familiar, but it’s clear

after me like a silent shadow, and the more people we talk

trying to be polite and smile and act like the sister Aaron expects me to

gracious when people seem genuinely happy to see

getting harder and

like too

lights are too bright. The music and chatter are