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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.

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

“Okay. 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 help blushing.

“I’d rather not,” I agree with a sigh, perking up when

cha noman to mu aide and starta unhuabling my urint

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37 Ava: Overcome (IV)

first. Now that I know I’m about to have freedom, my urgency has become an emergency. “Please hurry.”

The nurse 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 face in my

hands as I remember it all.

Ugh.

I wish I had amnesia.

If only there was a pill to cancel heat and cause twenty–four hours of memory loss!

But there isn’t, so I flush the toilet and wash my hands. Drying them with a thin hospital town, I stare at my reflection. Tangled hair, puffy eyes, and hickeys everywhere.

I shudder and turn away from the mirror, patting my hot cheeks. So embarrassing.

Thankfully, the nurse is gone when I exit the

bathroom. The sight of the restraints hanging off my bed makes my stomach roil with nausea, so I sit on the visitor’s couch instead.

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37 Ava: Overcome (IV)

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

unlocking the steel door.

The doctor enters the room, a warm smile on her face. “Good morning, Ava. I’m Dr. Summers. How are you feeling today?”

I shrug. Knowing she probably heard about last night makes me feel awkward, so I avoid her eyes.

“Embarrassed, mostly. And sore.” I gesture vaguely at my neck.

Dr. Summers nods, her expression serious. “I

understand. What you experienced was a very intense heat cycle, Ava. Much stronger than what we typically see in omegas.”

She 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 and their heat cycles. They’re incredibly rare. All omegas are called that because they were given the rank, not born

as one.”

I swallow hard, my stomach churning with unease. “So, what does that mean for me?”

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37 Ava: Overcome (IV)

Dr. 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 more precautions.”

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

“We’re going 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 me about your symptoms, okay? Even if it’s embarrassing.”

I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself. “Okay. I

can do that.”

Dr. Summers smiles encouragingly. “Good. Now, tell me, how are you feeling physically? Any pain,

discomfort?”

I shift on the couch, wincing slightly. “I’m sore. Everywhere. And I feel… I don’t know. Restless? Like my skin is too tight.”

She nods, making a note on her clipboard. “That’s common during heat. Your body is going through a lot.

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of changes right now.”

“And the… the need? The desire? Is that normal too?” I

ask, my face flushing.

“Yes, it is. Your hormones are in overdrive right now, Ava. It’s going to affect your emotions and your physical desires.” Dr. Summers looks at me.

sympathetically. “I know it’s overwhelming, but it’s all part of the process. And for you, any alpha or relatively strong shifter is going to tempt you. Unfortunately, Alpha Shadowpine’s presence was a trigger last night,

and we don’t want to risk another situation.”

I nod, trying to absorb this information. It’s a lot to take in, on top of everything else.

“We’re going to monitor you closely, Ava. We’ll do everything we can to keep you comfortable and safe.” Dr. Summers stands up, offering me a reassuring smile. “If you need anything, anything at all, just let one of the nurses know, okay?”

“Okay. Thank you, Dr. Summers.” I manage a small smile, grateful for her kindness.

Their doctors know nothing, Selene says in my mind,