Tangled

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.

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37 Ava: Overcome (IV)

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.

I 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 I’m doing.

go to the bathroom, or I’m going to burst.”

put you back in them. We don’t want a repeat of

I agree with a sigh, perking up

mu aide and starta unhuabling

14:54

217

Ava: Overcome (IV)

know I’m about to have freedom, my urgency has become an

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

as I remember

Ugh.

wish I had amnesia.

a pill to cancel heat and

my hands. Drying them with a thin hospital town, I

away from the mirror, patting my hot cheeks. So embarrassing.

gone

stomach roil with nausea, so I sit on

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377

Overcome (IV)

female doctor, going through the elaborate process of

steel

“Good morning, Ava. I’m Dr. Summers.

she probably heard about last night makes me feel

sore.” I gesture vaguely

Summers nods, her expression serious.

What you experienced was a very intense heat cycle, Ava.

sits down across from me, folding her hands in her lap. “Honestly, though… We don’t have a lot of documented information on true omegas

as one.”

churning with unease. “So,

14.54 —

Ava: Overcome

Summers sighs. “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 taken

nonchalant. “It’s okay. I mean, it’s not,