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.

feelings

so much when I don’t even know

cruel that I should long for something that I’ve never

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

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

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

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

I knew the party was in full swing,

I want to protest.

this stu

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

think either of them would physically

more painful and deeper ways to be

I barely acknowledge his presence as I pick up my skirt from

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

Axel despises me.

tolerates me because Aaron requires it

would

steady pace downstairs, the noise of the party coming up to meet me, while Axel is a

Aaron

can do the rounds before they start

me a chance to reply or

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

And everything in between.

me to remember

Or anyone’s names?

them are vaguely familiar, but it’s clear I’ve

people we talk to, the

be polite and smile and act

when people seem

getting

feels like too

bright. The music and chatter