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

when I

It’s cruel that I should long for something

girl who chases after him when he’s already stated plainly that he doesn’t

thoughts alone-Axel steps into the room before I can even

my body, and it leaves tendrils

low drawl-the way he always talks, as if normal words can be made

yes, I knew the party was in full swing, but I’ve been hiding up

I want to protest.

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

I don’t cooperate, and part of me is

either of them

that there are far more painful and deeper

I pick

fingers across my hip as I go by, leaving me shivering,

Axel despises me.

because Aaron

why would he

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

reach the bottom, Aaron appears from somewhere, looking

the rounds

me a chance to reply or catch my

it’s a blur of, “you remember this pack member, right?” Or, “this pack member joined

And everything in between.

me to

Or anyone’s names?

are vaguely familiar, but it’s clear I’ve forgotten a lot in ten

silent shadow, and the more people we talk to, the more it

to be polite and smile and act like the

seem genuinely happy to see me

getting

like too

bright. The music and chatter are