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

can it hurt so much when I don’t

long for

going to be the pathetic girl who chases after

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

and down my body,

you to come down,” Axel says in a low drawl-the way he always talks, as if normal words can

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

I want to protest.

fight and run and tear off this stu

be consequences if I don’t cooperate,

either of them would physically hurt

that there are far more painful and deeper ways

presence as I pick up my skirt from

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

Axel despises me.

because Aaron requires it

would he touch

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

I reach the bottom, Aaron appears from somewhere, looking

down. We can do the

doesn’t give me a chance

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

And everything in between.

expect me to remember everyone’s

Or anyone’s names?

but it’s clear

me like a silent shadow, and the more people we talk to, the more it feels like the walls are closing

act like the sister Aaron expects me

seem

it’s getting

like

too bright. The music and