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 and intentions

hurt so much when I don’t even

should long for something that

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

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

down my body, and it leaves tendrils of heat in its wake, making

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

full swing, but I’ve been hiding up in my

I want to protest.

and run and tear off this

there’ll be consequences if I don’t cooperate, and part

don’t think either of them

are far more painful and deeper ways to be hurt, other than just physical

answer Axel, I barely acknowledge his presence as I pick up my skirt from the floor and stride

of his fingers across my hip as I go by, leaving me shivering, but I tell myself

Axel despises me.

Aaron

would he touch

noise of the party coming up to

I reach the bottom, Aaron appears from somewhere,

do the rounds before they start bringing out the

give me a chance to

a group of people and then it’s a blur of, “you remember this pack member, right?” Or, “this pack member joined five

And everything in between.

me to remember everyone’s

Or anyone’s names?

vaguely familiar, but it’s clear

the more people we talk to, the more it

trying to be polite and smile and act like the

seem genuinely happy to see me

it’s getting harder

like

are too bright. The music