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

hurt so much when I don’t even know this

should long

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

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

dragging slowly up and down my body, and it leaves tendrils of heat in its wake, making me

said it’s time for you to come down,” Axel says in a low drawl-the way he always talks, as if normal words can be made into

in full swing, but I’ve

I want to protest.

want to fight and run and tear off this stu id dress and disappear out into the

cooperate, and part of me is terrified. to find out what those

don’t think either of them would physically

there are far more painful and deeper ways to be

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

across my hip as I go by, leaving me shivering, but I tell myself it

Axel despises me.

tolerates me because Aaron requires it of

why would he

walk with a steady pace downstairs, the noise of the party coming up to meet

reach the bottom, Aaron appears from somewhere,

you came down. We can do the rounds before they start bringing

brother doesn’t give me a chance to reply or

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

And everything in between.

he expect me to

Or anyone’s names?

but it’s clear I’ve

after me like a silent shadow, and the more people we talk to, the more it feels

and smile and act like the sister Aaron expects me

when people seem genuinely happy to see me

it’s getting harder

like too

The music