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 intentions

can it hurt so much when I don’t even know

should long for something that I’ve never even

not going to be the pathetic girl who chases after him when he’s already

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

the fact that his gaze is dragging slowly up and down my body, and

to come down,” Axel says in a low drawl-the way he always talks, as if normal words can be made into some kind of sensual

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

I want to protest.

to fight and run and tear off this stu

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

of them

the hard way that there are far more painful and deeper ways to be hurt, other

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

I go by, leaving

Axel despises me.

me because Aaron requires it

why would

pace downstairs, the noise of the party coming up

reach the bottom, Aaron appears from somewhere,

can do the rounds

brother doesn’t give me a chance to reply or catch

then it’s a blur of, “you remember this pack

And everything in between.

he expect me

Or anyone’s names?

vaguely familiar, but it’s

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

and act like the

to be gracious when people seem genuinely happy to see

getting

feels like

lights are too bright. The music and