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 and intentions

when I don’t even

long for

be the pathetic girl who chases after him

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

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

time for you to come down,” Axel says in a low drawl-the way he always talks, as if normal words can be made

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

I want to protest.

and run and tear off this stu id

be consequences if I don’t cooperate,

don’t think either of them would physically

are far more painful and deeper ways to be hurt,

presence as I pick up my

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

Axel despises me.

tolerates me because Aaron requires it of

why would he

up to meet me, while Axel is a step behind me the

reach the bottom, Aaron appears from

you came down. We can do the rounds

me a chance to reply or catch my

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 remember

Or anyone’s names?

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

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

be polite and smile and act like the

seem

getting harder

like too

The music and