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.

his feelings

hurt so much when I

I should long for something that

be the pathetic girl who chases after him when he’s already stated plainly that he doesn’t

by my thoughts alone-Axel steps into the room before I

slowly up and down my body, and it

says in a low drawl-the way he always talks, as if normal words can be made into some kind of sensual

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

I want to protest.

run and tear off this stu id dress and disappear out into

me there’ll be consequences if I don’t cooperate, and part of me

of them would physically

way that there are far more painful and deeper ways to be hurt,

answer Axel, I barely acknowledge his presence as I pick up my skirt from the

of his fingers across my hip as I go by, leaving me shivering, but I tell myself it was probably

Axel despises me.

because Aaron requires

why would

coming up to meet me, while Axel

Aaron appears from somewhere, looking

We can do the rounds before they start

doesn’t give me a chance to reply or catch my

people and then it’s a blur of, “you remember this pack member, right?”

And everything in between.

me

Or anyone’s names?

are vaguely familiar, but it’s

after me like a silent shadow, and the more people we talk to, the more it feels like the walls are

act like the sister Aaron expects me

seem

getting harder

feels like too

too bright. The music and chatter are