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.

    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 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 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, startling me. I didn''t even realize she had woken up.