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.

made his feelings and intentions

much when I

should long for something that

chases after

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

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

to come down,” Axel says in a low drawl-the way he always talks, as if normal words can be

was in full swing, but I’ve been

I want to protest.

this stu id

consequences if I don’t cooperate, and

of them

the hard way that there are far more painful and deeper ways to

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

as I

Axel despises me.

because Aaron

why would

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

reach the bottom, Aaron appears from somewhere, looking

down. We can do the rounds before they start bringing

give me a chance to reply or catch

then it’s a

And everything in between.

me to remember

Or anyone’s names?

vaguely familiar, but it’s clear I’ve

like a silent shadow, and the more people we

polite and smile and act like the

when people seem genuinely happy to see

getting harder

feels like

The