Chapter 11: The Pack’s Warning

 The wind made noise outside as Raven sat at her desk, surrounded by scattered papers, notes, and her father's journal. The small glow of her desk lamp lit up the room, drawing long shadows that seemed to touch her. She was arranging the puzzle of Lycos International together, determined to expose the truth.

Her phone vibrated, it brought her out of her deep thoughts. She grabbed it and saw an unknown number displaying on the screen. Hesitating, she answered.

"Ms. Blake," said a deep, smooth voice.

Raven instantly recognized it—Killian Thorne.

"I'm surprised you're calling me," she replied, keeping her tone neutral.

"We need to meet," Killian said firmly. "This can't wait."

Raven hesitated. There was a feeling showing in his voice that made her uneasy. "If you think you can make me afraid of this situation, Mr. Thorne, you need to think again."

"This isn't about intimidation, and am not going to do that" he replied. "It's about your safety."

Before Raven could ask further questions, he added, "There's a diner on East 32nd Street. Be there in thirty minutes."

The line went dead before she could respond.

Thirty minutes later, Raven walked into the small lit diner, the bell above the door sounded softly to signify her presence. She saw Killian in a corner booth far away from her, looking out the window with a serious expression. His presence was an authority on its own, drawing the attention of the few late-night people around.

She approached him cautiously. "This better be good."

Killian pointed for her to sit. "It's not good. That's why we're here."

Raven entered gently into the booth, she folded her arms across her chest. "What do you want?"

Killian shifted forward, his penetrating gaze locking onto hers. "You need to stop investigating Lycos."

Raven raised an eyebrow. "That's not happening."

"Miss Blake i am serious," Killian said, his voice sounded firm and he looked straight into her eyes while advising her to drop her investigation. "You don't know what you're dealing with."

"Then why don't you tell me what I need to know also?" she replied instantly. "Because so far, all I see is a corrupt corporation trying to hide its crimes."

Killian's jaw tightened. "It's more serious than that. There are some things involved here that you can't begin to understand."

Raven laughed. "Let me guess—shadowy figures and mysterious threats? Spare me, Mr. Thorne. I've faced worse than corporate bullies."

Killian's hand changed into a fist on the table. "This isn't a game, Raven. You're putting yourself in danger, and if you keep looking into Lycos International, you won't like what you find."

Raven opened her mouth to argue with him, but suddenly a loud crash sounded from outside the diner disturbed her speech. She turned to see a man standing by the window, looking furiously at them. His eyes shone faintly under the streetlights, and his posture showed aggression.

Killian stood instantly, his presence commanding. "Wait here."

Raven watched as he walked outside, his movements swift and purposeful. She couldn't hear the conversation, but the tension between Killian and the man was noticeable. The stranger seemed to challenge Killian, stepping closer until they were nearly nose to nose.

Killian's voice rose slightly, his words sharp and authoritative. Whatever he said made the man back down, though his expression remained defiant. He gave one last look at Raven through the window before disappearing into the night.

Killian returned, his expression unreadable. "Let's go."

"What was that about?" Raven asked.

"It's none of your concern," Killian replied, pulling her to her feet. "We're leaving."

Outside, Killian led her to his car, his holding of her arm was firm but not harsh. Raven removed her arm free with aggression. "I'm not going anywhere with you until you tell me what's going on."

Killian sighed, running a hand through his hair gently to ease himself. "That man works for a faction within my organization. They don't agree with how I'm handling things, and they see you as a threat."

"A threat to what?" Raven asked further.

Killian hesitated. "To everything we've built. To our survival."

Raven looked closely at him, her heart beating very fast. "You're not just a CEO, are you?"

Killian didn't answer, his silence confirmed her suspicions. Instead, he leaned closer, his voice low. "If you care about your life, you'll drop this case. Walk away, Raven."

But instead of her being afraid, Raven felt a belief to be defiant. "I'm not walking away. If anything, this just proves I'm on the right track."

Killian's eyes darkened. "You're stubborn, I'll give you that. But you're also reckless. And that recklessness is going to get you killed."

Raven returned to her apartment later that night, she sat on her chair and her mind wa filled with both confusion and determination. Killian's warning continued playing in her mind continuously, but she couldn't expect herself to pay attention to it. She was too close to the truth.

As she entered her apartment, a strange feeling attacked her at the entrance, like she was being watched. She checked the room, her heart pounding. Nothing seemed out of place, but the feeling remained.

Her phone buzzed, breaking the silence. Another anonymous message flashed on the screen:

"Last chance. Stop, or face the consequences."

Raven's held her phone tightly. She took a deep breath and tried to arrange herself. She wasn't going to let fear control her. Whatever Lycos was hiding, she was determined to expose it—even if it meant facing the unknown.

Across the city, Killian stood on the balcony of his penthouse, looking out over Silvergate. His Beta, Marcus, approached cautiously.

"She won't back down," Marcus said.

Killian sighed, his gaze distant. "I know."

Marcus hesitated. "The pack is getting restless. They think you're too soft on her."

Killian turned, his expression hardening. "I'm protecting her. Whether she realizes it or not."

"And if she keeps digging?" Marcus asked.

Killian's jaw tightened. "Then I'll have to make a choice. One I'm not ready to make."

As the moonlight bathed the city, Killian's mind raced with the weight of his responsibilities. And far below, Raven prepared for the storm she didn't yet realize was coming.