Chapter 5: The Shadows and the Dream

The moon rose high over Silvergate, displaying a silver glow over the super busy city. In the very tall office of Lycos International, Killian Thorne stood before a wall of glass, looking down at the cityscape. His mind was restless. Something—or rather, someone—was getting too close to secrets he had spent years protecting.

"She's a lawyer," one of his advisors had said earlier that evening, sliding a file across his desk. "Raven Blake. She's sharp, persistent, and she is never afraid to challenge powerful players."

Killian's fingers tightened around the crystal glass of whiskey in his hand. The name was familiar. The corporate lawyer had already made waves with her recent high-profile cases, and now she was looking into Lycos. Normally, he would not read much into such investigations. No one had ever discovered the truth about him or his pack. But this time it all felt different.

"She's been warned," the advisor added. "It didn't work."

Killian's jaw tightened. "Send someone to keep an eye on her. No harm unless absolutely necessary."

"Understood." his advisor replied immediately.

Miles away, a man moved through the shadows, silent and unseen. He was lean and rough, with penetrating green eyes that shone dimly in the moonlight. Tobias, one of Killian's most trusted pack members, had been given a simple task: observe Raven Blake, learn her movements, and report back.

He had already decided to watch her apartment, trying to blend effortlessly into the city's troubles. From a resting place on a nearby rooftop, he watched her shadowy figure through the scattered balcony door. She was walking up and down the house, holding onto a journal tightly to her chest. Even from this distance, Tobias could notice her determination. It showed off her like heat.

"You're playing with fire, little lawyer," he uttered under his breath. "Let's see how long you can handle the heat."

Raven woke with a start, her chest breathing heavily. She had fallen asleep on the couch, the journal still held in her hands. Her phone rang beside her, its screen lighting up with a missed call. But her mind was elsewhere, replaying the realistic dream she had just experienced.

She had been running through a thick forest, her feet were bare against the wet ground. The air was fresh, filled with the scent of pine and something wild. She wasn't alone. Shadows moved alongside her, their figures blended with the trees. She could hear their breath, feel their presence, but she wasn't afraid.

In the dream, she had felt powerful—faster, stronger, free. Her heart had pounded with great pleasure rather than fear. But as she ran, a deep and commanding voice had called her name.

"Raven."

She had turned to answer, only to wake up at that exact moment, her name still playing in her mind.

Now, as she sat in the dim light of her apartment, she couldn't forget the sensation. It felt too real, too real to be just a dream. She looked down at her hands, half expecting them to show signs of dirt or leaves. But they were clean, shaking slightly as she tried to pour herself a glass of water.

The next morning, Raven sat in a lovely corner of her favorite cafe, thinking over her father's journal. The notes were secretive, filled with references to "the pack" and "the bloodline." One phrase kept repeating: "The bond must remain unbroken."

She drank her coffee in sips, frustration building inside her. None of it made sense. What bond? And why did Lycos International care about her father's research? She opened to a page where a sketch caught her eye. It was a detailed drawing of a wolf's head, surrounded by symbols she didn't recognize.

Her thoughts were disturbed by a man taking the seat across from her. He was tall and humble-looking, dressed in a simple hoodie and jeans. But his eyes, a penetrating green, were not looking ordinary to her.

"Mind if I join you?" he asked, his voice smooth but filled with something she couldn't understand fully.

Raven frowned. "Actually, I do. I'm busy."

He gave a lazy and confident smile. "I know. That's why I'm here."

The man shifted forward, his voice dropping to a whisper. "You're digging into things you shouldn't. Things that could get you hurt."

Raven's heart continued racing, but she kept her looks calm while she said. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Oh, I think you do," he said, nodding his head while looking at the journal. "Your father's work. It's dangerous. Walk away while you still can."

She looked at him and asked immediately. "Who are you?"

The man stood, sliding a piece of paper across the table. "Someone who's trying to help you. For now."

Before she could respond, he disappeared among the crowd. Raven unfolded the paper, her stomach turning as she read the message: "The wolves are watching."

That night, Raven sat in her apartment, her mind wasn't relaxed with her. She couldn't forget the feeling of being watched. Every sound of the floorboards and every sound of the wind outside made her jump.

As she opened the journal again, a loose page fell out. It was a letter addressed to her:

"Raven, If you're reading this, it means I'm no longer here. My work was meant to protect you, to protect us all. But it's also made you a target. Trust no one, especially those who claim to have your best interests at heart. Love, Dad."

Tears rolled down from her eyes, but she quickly wiped them away. Her father's warning only increased her determination. Whatever he had been protecting, it was now her responsibility to uncover the truth.

Back at Lycos International, Killian checked through Tobias's report. The lawyer was proving to be more resourceful than he had initially expected. The mention of her dreams, in particular, troubled him.

"She's not just investigating," Tobias said. "She's connected to this, whether she knows it or not."

Killian's expression darkened. "Keep a closer watch. If she starts to remember more, we'll need to act."

"Understood," Tobias answered immediately.

As Tobias left, Killian relaxed back in his chair, his mind racing. The name Raven Blake had been familiar for a reason. Her bloodline was tied to his, an ancient bond that could either unite them or destroy everything he had built.

For now, all he could do was wait and hope that she didn't uncover the truth before he was ready to face her.

Later that night, Raven stood on her balcony, enjoying a good look out at the city lights. while the journal was open in her hands, but her mind was somewhere else. The warning from the stranger, the secret notes from her father, and the real dreams were all pieces of a puzzle she couldn't understand at the moment.

A sudden movement in the shadows below caught her eye. She narrowed her eyes to be sure, her heart racing as she spotted a figure watching her from the corridor. When their eyes met, the figure stepped back, disappearing into the darkness.

Raven's holding of the journal tightened. She wasn't alone. And whoever was watching her wasn't done yet.