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.

myself at a man I barely know in front of who knows

the bathroom, or I'm

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 night." She speaks in a matter of fact kind of way, but I can't

she comes to my side and starts unbuckling my wrist first. Now that I know

the bathroom in panic. For a brief moment, I'm able to push aside the confusion and embarrassment. But then memories rush back, and I bury my face in my

Ugh.

wish I

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

a thin hospital town, I stare at my reflection. Tangled hair, puffy eyes, and

turn away from the mirror, patting my

off my bed makes my stomach roil with nausea, so I sit on

nurse comes in, followed by a female doctor, going through the elaborate process of locking and

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

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

her hands in her lap. "Honestly, though… We don't have a lot of documented information on true omegas and their heat cycles. They're incredibly rare. All omegas are

my stomach churning with unease. "So, what does that mean for

"It means 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. "I'm sorry, Ava. We should have

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

to 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