HIDDEN ALPHA

The sun reflected weakly through the curtains of Raven Blake's apartment, but she hardly noticed. Her desk was totally filled with papers, photos, and the files Daniel had handed her the night before. A heavy tension stayed in the air as she opened through the documents, each revelation pulling her deeper into a different web of mystery and danger. The name "Project Lycan" stood out repeatedly, its meaning was difficult to understand but threatening.

Her fingers paused over one particular file. A photograph of a research team caught her eye. The caption read: Lycos International R&D Division, 2006. In the center of the group stood a man she knew all too well—her father, Dr. Henry Blake.

Raven's heart seized immediately. Memories of her father's quiet strength, his late nights at the lab, and his insistence that his work could "change the world" came running back. He had died in a lab accident years ago… or so she had been told. But why was his name in these files? And why would Lycos International, a tech conglomerate, be conducting secretive experiments?

Her phone rang, disengaging her from her thoughts. It was a message from Daniel:

"Be careful. They'll do anything to keep this quiet. Trust no one."

Across the city, in a very tall glass building that entered the skyline, Killian Thorne stood in his office, looking out at the busy metropolis of Silvergate. The CEO of Lycos International was a man of different looks, his tailored suit and polished behavior covered a brutal strength, a predator's edge that never fully disappeared.

A knock at the door broke his attention.

"Enter," he said, his voice smooth but commanding.

A man in a dark suit stepped in, his expression tense. "We have a problem, sir. The lawyer, Raven Blake, has acquired some of the Project Lycan files."

Killian's jaw tightened, but his expression remained calm. "How?"

"One of our former employees, Daniel, gave them to her. He's been... handled, but she escaped with the documents."

Killian turned, his sharp eyes locking onto the man. "And you thought it wise to inform me after she's already seen the files?"

The man swallowed his saliva with fear immediately. "We'll recover them, sir. She won't get far."

Killian's lips curved into a cold smile. "Do not underestimate her. Raven Blake is not just another lawyer. She's relentless, and she'll dig until she uncovers everything."

"What should we do?"

Killian walked to his desk, picking up a file with Raven's name on it. "We'll deal with her in due time. For now, monitor her every move. And ensure she never gets close to the truth about Project Lycan."

Raven couldn't shake the unease that came with seeing her father's name in those files. She needed answers, but there were few people she could trust. She decided to visit her mother, hoping to get some information about her father's work.

Her mother, Eleanor Blake, lived in a quiet environment on the outskirts of Silvergate. The house was a place of warmth, filled with memories of happier times. But even here, Raven couldn't escape the shadows covering her.

"Raven, sweetheart," Eleanor said, greeting her with a hug. "You look exhausted and tired. Are you eating enough, what have you been up to baby?"

Raven smiled faintly. "I'm fine, Mom. I just… I need to ask you something about Dad."

Eleanor's expression became surprised. "What about him?"

Eleanor's face and expression became surprised at what she is seeing. She took a shaky breath and sat down. "I… I didn't know. He never talked about his work in detail. Just that it was important and that it could help people."

"Do you think his death could've been… something more than an accident?" Raven asked further.

Eleanor's eyes filled with tears. "I don't know, Raven. After he died, I asked questions, but no one would give me answers. They said it was an accident and told me to let it go. I was too broken to fight back."

Raven's determination became hardened. "I'm not letting it go. I'll find out the truth."

Later that evening, Raven's investigation led her to a secluded library known for its archives of corporate records. She hoped to find anything that could shed more light on Lycos International's history and her father's involvement. The library was dimly lit, its shelves were very tall and filled with different types of forgotten knowledge.

As she browsed through the dusty files and photocopy records, a shadow appeared over her. Shocked, She turned to find a tall man looking at her. He looked very sharp, with penetrating gray eyes, and he had an authority look around him that was impossible to ignore.

"Ms. Blake," he said, his voice smooth as silk. "Burning the midnight oil, are we?"

Raven's instincts shouted caution at her. "Do I know you?"

The man's lips shaped into a faint smile. "Killian Thorne. CEO of Lycos International."

Her breath caught. The predator had stepped into her den. "Mr. Thorne. To what do I owe the pleasure?" she asked, her tone unreadable.

"I couldn't help but notice your interest in my company. I thought it wise enough to introduce myself."

Raven met his gaze, refusing to be intimidated. "I'm just following the evidence. If that leads me to Lycos, so be it."

Killian chuckled softly. "Careful, Ms. Blake. The paths you're walking can be dangerous. I'd hate to see someone as… talented as you get hurt."

"Is that a threat?" she asked sharply.

"A warning," he said smoothly. "Some truths are better left buried."

He turned and walked away, leaving Raven with a mind mix between anger and unease. Killian Thorne was more than he seemed, and she had just become his newest opponent.

That night, as Raven browsed over the files in her apartment, she couldn't forget the feeling that she was being watched. The documents she had uncovered hinted at something far darker than she'd initially thought, genetic experiments, disappearances, and a link between her father's work and the enigmatic "Project Lycan."

while sitting and thinking suddenly she heard glass scattering sound and that immediately distracted her thought. She jumped to her feet with her heart pounding. Someone was in her apartment.

"Who's there?" she asked, grabbing a heavy book as her first option weapon.

A figure emerged from the shadows, their face covered by a mask. Before she could react, they jumped, holding her against the wall. She struggled, her mind kept racing.

"You should've stayed out of this," the intruder said.

Raven's survival instincts came into full effect. She swung the book, striking the intruder's head. They staggered, and she used the moment to grab her phone and run. She ran into the night, her mind racing with one thought:

Lycos International was hiding something dangerous, and they would stop at nothing to protect their secrets.