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

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

cruel that I should long for

to be the pathetic girl who chases after

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

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

said it’s time for you 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

swing, but

I want to protest.

want to fight and run and tear off this stu id dress and disappear out

both Aaron and Axel have warned me there’ll be consequences if I don’t cooperate, and part of me is terrified. to find out

think either of them would physically hurt

learned the hard way that there are far more painful and deeper ways

his presence as I pick up my skirt from

as I go by, leaving me shivering,

Axel despises me.

Aaron requires it

would he touch

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

bottom, Aaron appears

down. We can do the

doesn’t give me a chance to

group of people and then it’s a blur

And everything in between.

he expect me to remember everyone’s

Or anyone’s names?

familiar, but it’s clear I’ve forgotten

after me like a silent shadow, and the more people we talk to,

be polite and smile and act like

be gracious when people seem genuinely happy to

it’s getting harder and

like

lights are too bright. The music and chatter are too