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.

made his feelings and

hurt so much when

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

the pathetic girl who chases after him when

my thoughts alone-Axel steps

that his gaze is dragging slowly up and down my

to come down,” Axel says in a low drawl-the way he always

was in full swing,

I want to protest.

fight and run and tear off this stu id dress and disappear

if I don’t cooperate, and part of me is terrified. to find out what those

of them would

there are far more painful and deeper ways to be hurt,

as I pick up my skirt from the

hip as I go by, leaving me

Axel despises me.

because Aaron requires

why would he

of the party coming up to meet

I reach the bottom, Aaron appears from

can do the rounds before

brother doesn’t give me a chance

a blur of, “you remember this pack

And everything in between.

he expect me

Or anyone’s names?

but it’s clear I’ve forgotten a lot

we talk to, the

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

seem genuinely

it’s getting

like

bright. The music and chatter