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

much when

that I should long for something that

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

door, and-as if summoned by my thoughts alone-Axel

slowly up and down my body, and it leaves tendrils of heat in its wake, making me feel

a low drawl-the way he

full swing, but I’ve been hiding up

I want to protest.

run and tear off this stu id dress and disappear out

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

think either of them would physically hurt

painful and deeper ways to be hurt, other than just physical

don’t answer Axel, I barely acknowledge his presence as I pick up my skirt from the floor

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

Axel despises me.

Aaron requires it

why would he

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

I reach the bottom, Aaron

down. We can do the rounds before they start bringing

chance to reply or catch my

it’s a blur of, “you remember this pack member, right?” Or, “this pack member joined

And everything in between.

me

Or anyone’s names?

of them are vaguely familiar, but it’s

the more people we talk to, the more it feels

act

seem genuinely happy to

it’s getting harder and

feels like too

are too bright. The music