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

so much when I

long for something that I’ve never even

not going to be the pathetic girl who chases after

at the door, and-as if summoned by my thoughts alone-Axel steps into the room before I can even give

effort to hide the fact that his gaze is dragging slowly up and down my body, and

a low drawl-the way he always talks, as if normal words can be made into

the party was in full swing, but

I want to protest.

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.

of

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

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

I feel the trail of his fingers across my hip as I go by, leaving me shivering, but I

Axel despises me.

because Aaron requires it of

why would he

noise of the party coming up to meet me, while

the bottom, Aaron appears from somewhere, looking

do the rounds before they start bringing out the

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

thing I know he’s walked me up to a group of people and then it’s a blur of, “you remember this pack member, right?” Or, “this pack member

And everything in between.

expect me to

Or anyone’s names?

them are vaguely familiar, but it’s clear I’ve forgotten a lot in

more people we talk

be polite and smile and act like the sister

be gracious when people seem genuinely

it’s getting harder and

feels like

lights are too bright. The music and