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

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

I should long for something that I’ve never even

pathetic girl who chases after him when he’s already stated plainly that he

the door, and-as if summoned by my thoughts alone-Axel steps into the room

to hide the fact that his gaze is dragging slowly up and down my body, and it leaves tendrils of

you to come down,” Axel says in a low drawl-the way he always talks, as

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

I want to protest.

run and tear off this stu id dress and disappear out

have warned me there’ll be consequences if I don’t cooperate, and part of me is terrified. to find out what

of them

that there are far more painful and

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

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

Axel despises me.

me because Aaron requires it of

why would he

up to

the bottom, Aaron appears from somewhere, looking

the rounds before

me a chance to reply or catch my

a group of people and then it’s a blur of, “you remember this pack member, right?” Or, “this pack member joined five years

And everything in between.

expect me to remember everyone’s

Or anyone’s names?

it’s clear I’ve

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

polite and smile and act like

be gracious when people seem genuinely happy to see me

getting

feels like too

are too bright. The music and