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

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

with a sigh, perking up when

aide and starta unhuabling my urint

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Overcome (IV)

I know I’m about to have freedom,

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

remember

Ugh.

I had amnesia.

to cancel heat and cause twenty–four hours

my hands. Drying them with a

the mirror, patting my hot cheeks.

the nurse is gone when I

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

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377

Ava: Overcome

female doctor,

the steel door.

face. “Good morning, Ava.

she probably heard about last night makes me feel awkward, so I

sore.” I gesture vaguely at my neck.

nods, her

very intense heat cycle, Ava. Much stronger than what we typically see in omegas.”

down across from 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 called that

as one.”

churning with unease. “So, what does that

14.54 —

Overcome

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

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