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.

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,

to the bathroom,

have to put you back in them. We don't want a repeat of last

not," I agree with a sigh, perking up when she comes to my side and starts unbuckling my wrist first. Now that I know I'm about to have freedom, my urgency has

me from the restraints, and I bolt for the bathroom in panic. For a brief moment, I'm able to push aside

Ugh.

I

a pill to cancel heat and cause twenty-four

Drying them with a thin hospital town,

shudder and turn away from the mirror, patting my hot cheeks.

hanging off my bed makes my stomach roil with nausea, so I sit on the visitor's

through the elaborate

warm smile on her face. "Good morning, Ava. I'm

makes me feel awkward, so I avoid her eyes. "Embarrassed, mostly. And sore." I gesture vaguely at

a very intense heat

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

swallow hard, my stomach churning with unease.

thought we would have more time before the peak hit." She looks at me directly, her eyes apologetic. "I'm sorry, Ava. We should

shrug a shoulder, trying to be nonchalant. "It's okay. I mean, it's not, but... I

forward, her voice gentle but