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.

shifter has bad eyesight. It’s

wolves.

I don’t have

the dirty towel in her direction,

Grey,

if I could, and you know it. Aren’t you supposed to be restocking our

night of telling him to fuck off won’t hurt.

Hah.

won’t ever

me as an independent adult, I’d still have to do what he says. The only person above him in the

thing,” I mutter, and she

now.

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

the first person to notice the control my family

Ava Groy.

first person

that I still can’t

loud.

abusive. Who the hell

once. Before I came of age and they realized I

have warm memories. Sweet memories.

lowest times. Memories of Mom when

cried. Memories

shoulders

would call me their baby sister, and show me off proudly to anyone they

Good times.

Gone times.

it would hurt a little less if I hadn’t shared that affection with 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

olathas no food and no shelter talling

C

Grey,

bring me what I wanted most,

My wolf.

He’s

***

a little production in the parking lot after closing. Lisa never leaves until I’m safely on the road, half in worry that my

that she could have the same things happen, she grabbed my hand and said seriously, “You would

I love her.

even with my one and only friend, my ride–or–die girl, I have yet to admit that I’m a shifter. I haven’t explained to her

I’m neglected and abused from a

14:32

6/11

Grey,

have

at least twice a week. Especially when

to do anything, anyway.

different laws. No part of

my fated mate in another. I dream

sometimes it hurts to even think

that I have

life in a new

air is warmer than usual for the beginning of spring, but the crisp scent of rain is carried on the breeze, telling us all that a temperature drop

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

14:33

7/11

Ava Grey, Pack

way to an unlit rural road that leads into the Blackwood

territory.

is familiar; I’ve driven it countless times

me, casting long shadows across the road. My grip tightens on the steering wheel as

my car is palpable, almost suffocating. My eyes dart to the rearview mirror every few seconds, half expecting to see glowing eyes or shadows lurking in the darkness behind me.

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