Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 37 Ava: Overcome (IV)

I was an animal. And so was he.

I can feel Selene in the back of my mind, and I know that she's asleep. I don't bother her; I have a more pressing concern.

There's no call light within reach, and I wiggle and struggle against my restraints. I desperately, desperately need to pee.

I can hear a little electronic click, then a disinterested, staticky voice fills the room. "Do you need anything?"

I clear my throat, licking my dry lips. "I need to go to the bathroom." My voice is hoarse, my throat sore. I wonder if I've been screaming. I have a feeling I have been.

"Your nurse will be in in just a moment," Static Voice says, and clicks off again.

I realize then that they're probably watching me on camera, and my skin prickles in unease. Somehow, this feels worse than dealing with a horny kidnapper rubbing himself on me.

I try not to think about it. It's something I'm used to doing; it's how I've made it through life this far.

But I really, really need to pee, damn it.

A nurse I don't recognize comes in, and it takes a solid thirty seconds for her to lock the door behind her. It's embarrassing to see how many security measures are in place to keep me unmated.

"How are you feeling? You seem to be pretty rational," she says, chipper as the morning sun.

hate her. I feel like shit. My head hurts. My body hurts. I have horrible memories of me throwing myself at a man I barely know in front of who knows how many strangers, and here's this pretty nurse with her life together, asking me how

go to the bathroom, or

I can remove your restraints, but if you start feeling off, we're going to have to put you back in them. We don't want a repeat of last

comes to my side and starts unbuckling my wrist first. Now that I know I'm about

the restraints, and I bolt for the bathroom in panic. For a brief moment, I'm able to push aside the confusion and embarrassment. But then memories rush

Ugh.

I

only there was a pill to cancel heat and cause twenty-four

flush the toilet and wash my hands. Drying them with a thin hospital town, I stare at my

from the mirror,

off my bed makes my stomach roil with nausea,

doctor, going through the elaborate process of

the room, a warm smile on her face. "Good morning, Ava.

Knowing she probably heard about last night makes me feel awkward, so I avoid her eyes. "Embarrassed, mostly. And sore." I gesture

Summers nods, her expression serious. "I understand. What you experienced was a very intense heat cycle, Ava. Much stronger than what we typically see in

me, folding her hands in her lap. "Honestly, though… We don't have a lot of documented information on true

unease. "So, what does that

we underestimated the severity of your heat. We thought we would have more time before the peak hit." She looks at me directly, her eyes apologetic.

"It's okay. I

do everything we can to help you through this, Ava. I promise." Dr. Summers leans forward, her voice gentle but firm. "But I need you to be honest with