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 going to

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

with a sigh,

aide and starta

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Ava: Overcome

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

brief moment, I’m able to push aside the confusion and embarrassment. But

as I remember it all.

Ugh.

wish I

only there was a pill to cancel heat and cause

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

mirror, patting my hot cheeks. So embarrassing.

the nurse is gone when I exit

The sight of the restraints hanging off my bed makes my stomach

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Ava: Overcome

comes in, followed by a female doctor, going through the elaborate

the steel door.

her face. “Good morning, Ava. I’m Dr.

last night makes me feel

sore.” I gesture vaguely

Summers nods, her expression serious.

intense heat cycle, Ava. Much stronger than what we

me, folding 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

as one.”

swallow hard, my stomach churning with unease. “So, what

14.54 —

Overcome

severity of your heat. We thought we would have more time before the peak hit.” She

a shoulder, trying to be nonchalant. “It’s okay.