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

can it hurt so much when I don’t even

cruel that I should long for something that I’ve

not going to be the pathetic girl who chases after him when he’s already stated plainly that

if summoned by my thoughts alone-Axel steps into the room before I can even give

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

says in a low drawl-the way he

swing, but I’ve been hiding

I want to protest.

run and tear off this stu id dress and disappear out into

me there’ll be consequences if I don’t cooperate, and part of me is terrified. to find

don’t think either of them would physically

more painful and

acknowledge his presence as I pick up my skirt from the floor and stride

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

Axel despises me.

me because Aaron requires it of

why would

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

Aaron appears

the rounds before they start bringing

brother doesn’t give me a chance

a blur of, “you remember

And everything in between.

he expect me

Or anyone’s names?

familiar, but it’s clear I’ve forgotten

and the more people we talk to, the more it feels like the walls

smile and act like the

to be gracious when people seem genuinely happy to see

it’s getting harder

like too

are too bright. The music and chatter are