Tangled

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

1 Ava Grey, Pack Defect

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

1 Ava Grey, Pack Defect

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.

I shove my glasses up the bridge of my nose, hating how they 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 the same glasses Mom got me (much to her disgust) several years ago.

It’s like a neon sign saying she doesn’t belong with us.

has bad eyesight. It’s like a gift from

wolves.

I don’t have a

dirty towel in

Grey, Pack

I could, and you know it. Aren’t you supposed to be restocking our cups? Our dinner rush is going to come in

one night of telling him to fuck off won’t hurt. Maybe it’ll teach your

Hah.

ever happen.

The only person above him in the pack is our alpha- also not someone I’d like to cross on a daily

a cultural thing,” I mutter, and

now.

it. She always does. She’s been showing me apartments for rent, coming up with mock budgets, even discussing our school schedules. Lisa’s pushy

person to notice the control my

Groy.

person to

person to say words that

loud.

abusive. Who the hell

came of age and they realized I had no

memories. Sweet memories.

during my lowest times. Memories of Mom when she used

I cried. Memories of Dad

his shoulders and tell

they would call me their baby

Good times.

Gone times.

them once. Maybe it would hurt a little less if it hadn’t simply… disappeared. If Mom’s blue eyes hadn’t gone from warm like a lake in summer to frigid winter skies. If Dad

olathas no food and no shelter

C

Grey, Pack Defect

me what I wanted most,

My wolf.

He’s still mad about it.

***

I’m safely on the road, half in worry that my car will break

pointed out to her months ago that she could have the same things happen, she grabbed my

I love her.

only friend, my ride–or–die girl, I have yet to admit that I’m

thinks I’m neglected and

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6/11

Ava Grey, Pack

human family, and I have

twice a week. Especially when I show

able to

No part of the government would interfere in pack

the only way to guarantee my escape from my family and pack is to find my fated mate in

hurts to

the chance that I have no fated

a new pack is just

scent of rain

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

14:33

7/11

Grey, Pack

so. Eventually, those buildings give way to an unlit

territory.

countless times in my life, but tonight,

long shadows across the road. My grip tightens on

suffocating. My eyes dart to the rearview mirror every few seconds, half expecting to see glowing eyes or shadows

defect means you’re also the pack punching bag. One of the young wolves‘ favorite pastimes is hunting the