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

it hurt so much when I don’t even

wolf? It’s cruel that I should long for something that I’ve

be the pathetic girl who chases after him when he’s

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

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

time for you to come down,” Axel says in a low drawl-the way

knew the party was in full swing,

I want to protest.

and tear off this stu id dress and

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

think either of them

painful

answer Axel, I barely acknowledge his presence as I

I go by, leaving me shivering, but I

Axel despises me.

tolerates me because Aaron requires it of

would

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

the bottom, Aaron appears from

came down. We can do the rounds before they start bringing out the

me a chance to reply or catch

I know he’s walked me up to a group of people and then it’s a blur of, “you remember this

And everything in between.

he expect me to remember

Or anyone’s names?

but it’s

more people we talk to, the more it feels like

to be polite and smile and act like

seem

it’s getting harder and

feels like

lights are too bright. The music and chatter are