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.

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

with a sigh, perking

and starta

14:54

217

Overcome (IV)

Now that I know I’m about to have freedom, my urgency has become an emergency.

releases me from 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 back, and I bury my

as I remember it

Ugh.

I had

to cancel heat and cause twenty–four hours of

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

mirror,

is gone when

my bed makes my stomach roil with nausea, so

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377

Ava: Overcome

doctor, going through the elaborate process

the steel

room, a warm smile on her face. “Good morning, Ava. I’m Dr. Summers. How are you

heard about last night makes me feel awkward, so I

And sore.” I gesture vaguely

Summers nods, her expression

a very intense heat cycle, Ava. Much stronger

lap. “Honestly, though… We don’t have a lot of documented information on true omegas and their heat cycles. They’re incredibly

as one.”

with unease. “So, what does that mean

14.54 —

Ava: Overcome (IV)

more time before the peak hit.” She looks at me

shrug a shoulder, trying to be nonchalant. “It’s okay. I mean, it’s not, but…