Rejected by the Ruthless Alpha : The Girl They Promised to Hell

CHAPTER NINE: A MESSAGE

Lila POV

Lila,

I’m so sorry that I had to write this, that I couldn’t tell you everything, that you’re in this position. I knew if you took this backpack, then everything I feared would happen has happened. I know I’m not with you because I’d never let you read this letter if I was.

First thing’s first.

The bracelet is spelled. I used all of my money over my short lifetime to pay for it, and it’s blessed by demons of incredible power. It will hide you from him. The Stormfire alpha can never find or track you so long as you wear it.

Neither will anybody else who has been looking for you since you were born. The Caeli Pack hid you until now, but now you have to find your place in the world alone. I’m so sorry.

Wear it and never take it off. Promise me this.

There’s so much I wish to tell you, so much that I can’t fit into a small letter. But I’m going to sum up most of the terrible things that happened right before you were born. I was born in the Caeli Pack, but I gave my heart to Stormfire—to your father. Know that I created you in pure love, no matter what anyone says.

Many people died to keep you safe, to get me out of Hell, but it all went wrong. And at the very last second, I had to make a deal to leave Hell with you. The alpha of Stormfire wanted you as his mate. I think he always did because of what happened when you were born. Many want you as theirs, Lila, and you must trust no one.

I can never write the truth in this letter because if someone else found this, it could mean your death. I wish I could have told you, but your dad bound me to secrecy, so it could never leave my lips.

I’m sorry.

The secrets will come out eventually, and you’ll realise what I did for you was the right thing. But for now, the secret will die with me.

Be brave.

We both know that hiding in Hell is best for you, if you can get there. You’ll fit in there, as it is massive—full of millions and millions of wolves, the biggest population in the world. You’ll be able to hide and disappear.

I will love you forever, and I will protect you in the afterlife. Always know dying for you was my plan right from the beginning. I regret none of my life or my choices.

Tell your brother that. Let him know there is a letter for him in our secret place.

Love,

Mum

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By the end of the letter, I’m in sobs as I pick up the small bracelet my mum said she spent so much money on. No wonder we barely had anything, and Dad hated me so much. It looks expensive, and it radiates with magic—the sort of magic that doesn’t come cheap anymore. The only things in this world that have magic are demons. Demons don’t sell their magic easily or cheaply, or to anybody in Caeli.

I clip the bracelet onto my wrist, feeling my mum’s love and protection in it like she is here at my side. The stone rests right in the centre of my wrist, fitting me perfectly.

What secret would my mum die to protect me? What could be so bad, yet so desirable to the Stormfire alpha?

What the hell happened when I was born?

Of course, no one answers me, and I bet the secret is with the Crescent Goddess now.

I need to get to Caleb and somewhere safe because I can’t die or get caught now. My mum needs me to be strong, to fight this and live my life. Rizor will tell his people to look for me, no doubt. I need to get into the city and disappear. Soon, he will have the entire pack searching for a new wolf.

Quickly, I drag on the leggings, boots, and the large hoodie from the backpack—one of my favourite hoodies that I thought I’d lost over a year ago. I know exactly where it went now. I smile for a brief second at the idea of my mum stealing it.

Then my smile falls when I remember she isn’t here anymore. She is likely dead.

I pull my wet hair into a ponytail with a hairband I find in the bag and drink the small bottle of water at the bottom before putting everything back and standing. Strapping the backpack onto my back, I glance up at the enormous city—a city big enough for any wolf to get lost in.

Time to go into the city of Hell and pretend I’m from here.

I don’t know if that’s even possible because I have no idea what I’m walking into. The river will have hidden my scent and washed away all traces of any Caeli wolf on me. That’s one good thing.

I walk towards the city walls, and when I get to them, I realise there’s no door anywhere I can see. I search up and down the wall, realising I have to go through the main gates of the city.

Unless…

I look up and grimace. Maybe I can climb the wall and get into the city, even if my climbing skills aren’t great. It’s worth a try.

Using the roots, I climb as quickly as I can, despite slipping every few steps. My heart pounds faster each time. I keep climbing until I reach the top and pull myself onto my back, breathlessly staring at the roots above me. Sweat coats my forehead, and I wipe it away.

Burning leaves drift down from the tree above and around me. They seem beautiful in the many lights, the smell of smoke and fire oddly relaxing—even as the noise of the city drowns out any silence. The wall must have blocked some sound, because it’s much louder up here, echoing with the noise of millions.

The red glow lights my face, mixed with streaks of white from the city. It almost looks like a sunset—a blend of oranges, reds, and pinks. I always wanted to travel the world, then come back and tell my parents about everything outside Caeli.

Now that can’t happen.

With strength I didn’t know I had, I slide over to the other side of the wall and climb down the roots until I can jump to the ground. I quickly glance around to make sure I’m safe. No one is close to me—just rubbish and a dumpster blocking the view.

Two buildings sit to my left. I move between them and press against the wall, peeking around the corner. A massive pathway leads into the city, and hundreds of wolves in human form stroll down it—some with small demon creatures on chains at their sides.

So many people, and not one of them turns my way.

I slip out from behind the building, joining the crowd, keeping my eyes down and pulling my hood up to cover my hair. It doesn’t take long to reach closer to the centre. Noise crashes over me—people talking, music playing, bangs, wolves howling.

I try to break out of the crowd.

I search the buildings, reaching out with my senses for any trace of Caleb, but there are too many scents, too many wolves. It’s overwhelming—and a part of me likes it. The energy of the city is intoxicating.

I pass a poster clipped to the side of a building and pause, spotting an advertisement for the bounty hunting trials in bold letters.

Someone there might know where Caleb is. And it isn’t a place the alpha would look for me… I don’t think so.

At the bottom of the advertisement is a small map of Hell with a star marking the trial grounds. I rip it off and take a deep breath before setting off to find the only wolf in Hell who can help me.