Eleanor stared at herself in the mirror.
"This is the last time."
Behind her, Sofia laughed.
"You said that about the last three."
"And I meant it every time."
Her mother walked over and adjusted the strap of Eleanor's dress.
"It's just dinner, darling."
"That's what you always say."
"Because it is."
Eleanor sighed.
Her mother had been trying to arrange blind dates for her for years.
Sometimes Eleanor wondered if Sofia had secretly made finding her a mate her life's greatest mission.
"Fine," Eleanor finally said. "I'll go."
Sofia smiled.
"That's my girl."
"But if he's unbearable, I'm leaving."
"Fair enough."
Eleanor picked up her purse.
"And Mom?"
"Yes?"
"No matchmaking during dinner."
Sofia laughed.
"I promise."
Eleanor wasn't convinced.
The restaurant was one of the most expensive in Blackwood Heights.
Eleanor arrived a few minutes late.
A man immediately stood from his table.
"Eleanor Vance?"
"Yes."
"I'm Matt."
She smiled politely.
"Nice to meet you."
"You too."
They sat.
At first, the evening went surprisingly well.
Matt was charming.
He asked about her company, her family, and her interests.
Eleanor relaxed slightly.
Maybe, just maybe, this wouldn't be another disaster.
Then Matt ordered another drink.
"I got this for you."
Eleanor looked at the glass.
"Thank you."
She took a few sips.
A few minutes later, something felt wrong.
Her head became heavy.
The restaurant lights suddenly seemed too bright.
She blinked several times.
"Matt…"
"Yes?"
"I don't feel well."
He leaned toward her.
"You're probably tired."
Eleanor shook her head.
"No. Something's wrong."
Then the heat came.
It wasn't natural.
Her entire body suddenly felt unbearably warm.
Her Omega instincts reacted violently, completely out of nowhere.
Eleanor's eyes widened.
"What…"
She gripped the edge of the table.
Her breathing became uneven.
"Something is wrong with me."
Matt stared at her.
Eleanor looked at him suspiciously.
"What did you put in my drink?"
Matt didn't answer.
Fear flashed through her eyes.
She tried to stand.
Her legs gave way.
Matt caught her before she hit the floor.
"Easy."
Eleanor tried to push him away.
"Don't touch me."
Her voice was weak.
The world around her blurred.
The last thing she remembered was Matt's face before everything went dark.
Across town, Raven was leaving a business dinner with Andrea when she suddenly stopped.
Andrea looked at her.
"What?"
Raven's expression changed.
"Do you smell that?"
Andrea looked around.
Then she noticed it too.
A strong Omega scent.
Distressed.
Raven followed it.
They found Eleanor near the entrance of a private parking area.
She was barely conscious.
Raven immediately rushed toward her.
"Eleanor."
Eleanor's eyes opened slightly.
"Raven…"
Raven caught her before she collapsed.
"What happened?"
Eleanor couldn't answer.
Her body was burning with the effects of the drug-induced heat.
Raven looked at Andrea.
"Call James."
Andrea immediately pulled out her phone.
"I'm calling him."
Raven carefully lifted Eleanor into her arms.
"Let's go."
The doors of Raven's penthouse opened.
Dr. James was already waiting.
"Put her here."
Raven carried Eleanor into the medical room.
James immediately began examining her.
His expression became serious.
"She has been drugged."
Raven's jaw tightened.
"Can you tell what she was given?"
"Not yet."
He checked Eleanor's pulse and temperature.
Then his expression changed.
"This isn't just a sedative."
Raven looked at him.
"What is it?"
"It's triggering an artificially induced heat."
Raven's eyes narrowed.
"Induced?"
"Yes."
James looked toward Eleanor.
"Her Omega system has been forced into a heat cycle. It's dangerous because her body wasn't prepared for it."
Raven's hands tightened into fists.
"Can you stop it?"
"I can manage the symptoms while the substance leaves her system."
James began treatment immediately.
Raven remained beside the bed.
Eleanor shifted restlessly.
"Raven…"
Raven leaned closer.
"I'm here."
"I don't know what's happening."
"You're safe."
Eleanor's eyes filled with fear.
"It hurts."
"I know."
Raven looked at James.
"Do whatever you need to do."
James nodded.
"We'll keep her temperature controlled and monitor her closely."
He instructed the medical staff to continue supportive treatment.
Raven remained beside Eleanor.
She didn't know who had done this.
She didn't know why.
But someone had deliberately drugged an innocent woman.
And Raven didn't take kindly to people hurting those under her protection.
Several hours later, Raven stepped into the hallway.
Andrea was waiting.
"Any information?"
"Not yet."
Raven's eyes hardened.
"You know what I want."
Andrea nodded.
"The restaurant, security footage, staff, payment records, and everyone Eleanor interacted with tonight."
"Exactly."
Andrea hesitated.
"Do you know who she went there with?"
Raven shook her head.
"No."
"Then I'll find out."
Raven looked toward the medical room.
"Andrea."
"Yes?"
"Don't confront anyone yet."
Andrea raised an eyebrow.
"You want information first."
"I want everything."
Andrea nodded.
"Understood."
She turned to leave.
"Find out who she was with."
"I will."
"Andrea."
She stopped.
Raven's voice became colder.
"If someone did this deliberately…"
Andrea looked back.
"I know."
Raven's eyes darkened.
"Find them."
Andrea nodded.
Then she left.
Raven returned to Eleanor's room.
She sat beside the bed.
Eleanor was still unconscious, her body slowly responding to James's treatment.
Raven looked at her for a long moment.
She had only known Eleanor for a short time.
They were business partners.
Nothing more.
Yet seeing her like this made something inside Raven burn with anger.
Raven reached for Eleanor's hand.
"You're safe here."
She didn't know if Eleanor could hear her.
But she said it anyway.
Outside, Andrea began her investigation.
She had one question to answer.
Who had Eleanor Vance been with that night?
And somewhere in Blackwood Heights, a man named Matt had no idea that he had just attracted the attention of the most dangerous woman in the city.