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 intentions

can it hurt so much when I don’t even know

I should long for something that I’ve never

to be the pathetic girl who chases after

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

effort to hide the fact that his gaze is dragging slowly up and down my body, and it leaves tendrils of heat in its wake, making me feel all

low drawl-the way

yes, I knew the party was in full swing, but

I want to protest.

run and tear off this stu id dress and disappear out

cooperate, and

of

are far more painful and deeper

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 me shivering, but I tell

Axel despises me.

me because Aaron requires it of

would he

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

reach the bottom, Aaron appears from

down. We can do the rounds before

me a chance to reply or

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

And everything in between.

expect me to remember everyone’s

Or anyone’s names?

are vaguely familiar, but it’s clear I’ve forgotten a lot in ten

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

and smile and act like the sister

seem genuinely happy to see

getting

like too

are too bright. The music and chatter are too