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

wolf? It’s cruel that I should long for something that I’ve never

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

if summoned by my thoughts alone-Axel steps into

hide the fact that his gaze is dragging slowly up and down my body, and it leaves

drawl-the way he always

I knew the party was in full swing, but I’ve

I want to protest.

off this stu id

consequences if I don’t cooperate, and part of

don’t think either of them would physically

that there are far more painful and deeper ways

as I

across my hip as I go by, leaving me shivering, but I tell myself it was probably my

Axel despises me.

tolerates me because Aaron requires it of

would

up to meet me, while Axel is a step behind me the

I reach the bottom, Aaron appears

down. We can do the rounds before they

a chance to reply or catch

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

And everything in between.

me to remember everyone’s

Or anyone’s names?

familiar, but it’s clear I’ve

people we talk to, the more it feels like

polite and smile and act like the sister

when people seem genuinely happy to see

getting harder and

like

lights are too bright. The