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 intentions

much when I don’t even know this man

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

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

a knock at the door, and-as if summoned by my thoughts alone-Axel steps into the room before I can even give him permission to

his gaze is dragging slowly up and down my body, and it leaves

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

was in full swing, but I’ve been hiding up in my old/new

I want to protest.

to fight and run and tear off this stu

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

think either of them would physically hurt

the hard way that there are far more painful and deeper

barely acknowledge his presence as I pick

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

Axel despises me.

tolerates me because Aaron requires it

would

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

bottom, Aaron appears

down. We can do the rounds before they

chance to reply or catch

a blur of, “you remember this pack member,

And everything in between.

he expect me to remember everyone’s

Or anyone’s names?

but it’s clear I’ve forgotten a lot

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

act like the sister Aaron expects me to

be gracious when people seem genuinely happy to see me

it’s getting

feels like

lights are too bright. The music