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

much when I don’t even know this man

that I should long for something that I’ve

to be the pathetic girl who chases after him when he’s already stated plainly that he

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

no effort to hide the fact that his gaze is dragging slowly up and down my body,

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

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

I want to protest.

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

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

think either of

far more painful and deeper ways to be hurt, other

as I pick up my skirt from the

I go

Axel despises me.

tolerates me because Aaron requires it of

why would he touch

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

I reach the bottom, Aaron appears

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

me a chance

up to a group of people and then it’s a blur of, “you remember this pack member, right?” Or, “this pack member

And everything in between.

me to remember everyone’s

Or anyone’s names?

but it’s clear I’ve forgotten a lot

shadow, and the more people we talk to, the

and smile and act like the sister Aaron expects me

when people seem genuinely happy to

getting harder and

feels like

too bright. The music and chatter are too