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.

his feelings and

so much when I don’t even

wolf? It’s cruel that I should long for something

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

alone-Axel steps into the

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

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

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

I want to protest.

fight and run and tear off this stu id dress

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

don’t think either of them would physically hurt

painful and

I barely acknowledge his presence as I pick up my skirt

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

Axel despises me.

tolerates me because Aaron requires

would

coming up

the bottom, Aaron

the rounds

doesn’t give me a chance to reply

he’s walked me up to a group of people and then it’s a blur of, “you remember this pack

And everything in between.

me

Or anyone’s names?

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

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

to be polite and smile and act like

when people seem genuinely

getting harder and

like too

bright. The music