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

can it hurt so much when I don’t

should long for something that

not going to be the pathetic girl who chases after him when he’s already stated plainly that he doesn’t

and-as if summoned by my thoughts alone-Axel steps into the room before I can even give him

the fact that his gaze is dragging slowly up and down my body, and it leaves tendrils of

says in a low drawl-the way he always talks, as if normal

in full swing, but I’ve

I want to protest.

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

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

think either of them would

way that there are far more painful and deeper ways to be hurt, other than just physical

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

swear I feel the trail of his fingers across my hip as I go by, leaving

Axel despises me.

me because Aaron requires it of

why would he

of the party coming up

the bottom, Aaron

We can do the rounds before

me a chance to reply or

group of people and then it’s a blur of, “you remember this

And everything in between.

me to remember everyone’s

Or anyone’s names?

but it’s clear I’ve forgotten a lot in ten

the more people we talk to, the more it feels like

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

people seem genuinely happy to see

getting

like too

lights are too bright. The music and