Tangled in Moonlight: Unshifted (Ava and Lucas)

Chapter 1 Ava Grey, Pack Defect

Author Note: The first two chapters have had a complete overhaul, for a better reading experience. Please enjoy. [May 28, 2024]

________________

What are you supposed to do when your pack—your family—has decided you're worthless?

Get a job.

Save money.

Dream of getting the hell out of there.

It's a futile thing to hope for, but it's the only thing I have that keeps me going.

Until then? I'm just me. Ava Grey. Wolfless. Weak. The shame of the Grey family.

Which is why I'm spending another Friday night working at Beaniverse, a popular coffeeshop in the middle of White Peak, a solid hour's drive away from pack land. No shifters, no drama, no bullying; the only people I run into all day are humans with a caffeine addiction. Or social media addictions. People love to use our lobby as a backdrop for their latest reel.

"Come out with me tonight."

Lisa pops her head into my field of view as I wipe down the espresso machine.

I have no major attachments to my job outside of my pay, but it is my favorite place to be because of her. Lisa is my best friend—okay, my only friend—and she makes me dream of something more than the Blackwood Pack and my uncertain future in it.

"Can't. Dad wants me home as soon as I can."

The grimace that twists her face gives me a warm little tingle in my chest. At least someone gets me.

Even if she's a human and has no idea that I come from a family of wolves.

Dad—our pack beta and an expert at curt text messages demanding my presence home—only allowed me to get a job because he was tired of seeing me at home, I'm pretty sure.

And because every single cent of my paychecks that didn't go to gas went to the thousand dollars I'd borrowed for my beat-up old clunker Taurus in the parking lot. It's my baby, and I love it, but I'm one weird splutter away from wrecking on the highway.

Still—the little freedom it allows me is worth it.

Anything is better than being home.

"You should just move out. We can get an apartment together and party all night." Lisa says this just about every day we work together, and it never grows old. I want that life, too. I don't even need the partying. I just want to get away from my pack.

But wolf shifters don't just let go of their own. Even wolfless defects like me.

slide. I probably need a new prescription, but I haven't had the time—or extra money—to pour into that. I'm still wearing

like a neon sign saying she doesn't belong with

eyesight. It's like a

I don't have

watching her squeal and jump back. "I would if I could, and you know

off won't hurt. Maybe it'll teach

Hah.

That won't ever happen.

as an independent adult, I'd still have to do what he says. The only person above him in the pack is our alpha—also not someone I'd like to

thing," I mutter, and she drops

up with mock budgets, even discussing our school schedules. Lisa's pushy in the sweetest way, where she's just

person to notice

person to

to say words that I still

is abusive. Who the

came of age and they

bring out at night during my lowest times. Memories of Mom when she used to smile and laugh and rock me when I cried. Memories of Dad when he would throw me onto his shoulders and tell me I could reach the

Good times.

Gone times.

hadn't gone from warm like a lake in summer to frigid winter skies. If Dad hadn't thrown me into the woods with no

me what I wanted most,

My wolf.

didn't work. He's still

* * *

on the road, half in worry that my car will break down (and honestly, I have the same fears), and

have the same things happen, she grabbed my hand and said seriously, "You would help me. So

I love her.

only friend, my ride-or-die girl, I have yet to admit that I'm a shifter. I haven't explained to her that I'm from the

and I have to convince her not to call the cops at least twice a week. Especially when I show up with new

able to

part of the

find my fated mate in another. I dream about it—we all do. It's a fantasy I can't let go

it hurts to even think about the possibility, because there's always the chance that

new pack is just like my life

than usual for the beginning of spring, but the crisp scent of rain is carried on

artificially lit business strip to the quiet neighborhoods of White Peak, occasionally lit by a street lamp

road is familiar; I've driven it countless times in my life, but tonight, it

usual, under the waxing crescent moon. The trees seem to close in on me, casting long shadows across the road. My grip tightens on the steering wheel as I navigate the twists and

my car is palpable, almost suffocating. My eyes dart to the rearview mirror every few seconds, half