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

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

that I should long for something that I’ve never

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

my thoughts alone-Axel steps into the

to hide the fact that his gaze is dragging slowly up and down my body, and it leaves tendrils of heat in its wake, making me feel all shivery and

down,” Axel says in a low drawl-the way he always talks, as if normal words can be made into some

full swing, but

I want to protest.

this stu

don’t cooperate, and part of me is terrified.

either of them would physically

hard way that there are far more painful and deeper

barely acknowledge his presence as I pick

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

Axel despises me.

because Aaron requires

why would he

the noise of the party coming up to meet me, while Axel

Aaron appears from somewhere, looking

came down. We can do the

a chance to reply

a group of people and then it’s a blur of, “you remember this pack

And everything in between.

he expect me to remember

Or anyone’s names?

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

the more people we talk to, the more

and act like

seem genuinely

it’s getting harder

like

bright. The music and chatter are