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

much when I don’t

long for something that

the pathetic girl who chases after him when he’s already stated

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

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

way

party was in full swing, but I’ve been hiding up

I want to protest.

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

cooperate,

think either of

learned the hard way that there are far more painful

as I

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

Axel despises me.

tolerates me because Aaron requires it of

why would he

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

Aaron appears from somewhere,

We can do the rounds

doesn’t give me a chance to reply or catch

thing I know he’s walked me up to a group of people and then it’s a blur of, “you

And everything in between.

me to remember everyone’s

Or anyone’s names?

are vaguely familiar, but it’s clear I’ve forgotten a lot in

more people we talk to, the more it feels like the walls are closing

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

when people seem

getting harder

feels like

are too bright. The