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

it hurt so much when I don’t even

long for something

chases after him when he’s

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

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

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

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

I want to protest.

this stu id

cooperate, and part of me is terrified. to find out what those consequences might

either of them

painful and deeper ways

answer Axel, I barely acknowledge his presence as I pick up

I

Axel despises me.

Aaron requires it of

would he

walk with a steady pace downstairs, the noise of the party coming up

bottom, Aaron appears from somewhere, looking

you came down. We can do the rounds before they start bringing out the

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,

And everything in between.

expect me

Or anyone’s names?

vaguely familiar, but it’s

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

trying to be polite and smile and act like

be gracious when people seem

it’s getting harder and

feels like

bright. The