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

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

who chases after him when he’s already stated plainly that he

the door, and-as if summoned by my thoughts alone-Axel steps into the room before

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

drawl-the way he always talks, as

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 and disappear out

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

think either of them would

painful and deeper ways to be hurt, other than just

Axel, I barely acknowledge his presence as I pick up my skirt from the

I go by, leaving me

Axel despises me.

tolerates me because Aaron

would

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

Aaron appears from somewhere,

the rounds

chance

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

And everything in between.

me to remember

Or anyone’s names?

of them are vaguely familiar, but it’s clear

like a silent shadow, and the more people we

polite and smile and act like the sister Aaron expects me to

people seem genuinely happy to

getting

like too

lights are too bright. The music