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

so much when I don’t even know

long for something that

the pathetic girl who chases after him when he’s

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

for you to come down,” Axel says in a low drawl-the way he always talks,

swing, but I’ve been hiding

I want to protest.

and tear off this stu

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

think either of them would physically

hard way that there are far more painful and

his presence as I pick up my skirt from the floor

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

Axel despises me.

tolerates me because Aaron

would

steady pace downstairs, the noise of the party coming up to

Aaron

can do the rounds

brother doesn’t give me a chance to

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

And everything in between.

he expect me to remember everyone’s

Or anyone’s names?

but it’s clear I’ve

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

and smile and act like the sister Aaron expects me to

seem genuinely happy to see

getting

like

are too bright. The music and chatter are too