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.

bad eyesight. It’s

wolves.

I don’t have

in her direction, watching her

Ava Grey, Pack Defect

it. Aren’t you supposed to be restocking our cups? Our dinner rush is going to come

to fuck off won’t hurt. Maybe it’ll teach your parents that

Hah.

ever

The only person above him in

thing,” I mutter, and

now.

does. She’s been showing me apartments for rent, coming up with mock budgets, even discussing our school schedules. Lisa’s pushy in the sweetest way, where she’s just desperate for

person to notice the control my family has over

Groy. Pack

person

that I

loud.

is abusive. Who the hell does this?”

me once. Before I came of age and they

warm memories. Sweet memories.

I bring out at night during my lowest times. Memories of Mom when

rock me when I cried. Memories

shoulders

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

Good times.

Gone times.

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 like a lake in summer to frigid winter skies. If Dad hadn’t thrown

with no olathas no food

C

Ava Grey,

hardship would bring me

My wolf.

work. He’s still mad

***

on the road, half in worry that my car will break down (and honestly, I have the same fears), and the other half because she’s concerned I’m going

happen, she grabbed my hand and said seriously,

I love her.

girl, I have yet to admit that

thinks I’m neglected

14:32

6/11

Ava Grey, Pack

family, and I have to

twice a week.

to do anything,

part of the government

pack is to find my fated mate in another. I dream about it–we all

it hurts to

chance that I have no fated

in a new pack is just like

of

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

14:33

7/11

Grey, Pack Defect

Eventually, those buildings give way to an unlit

territory.

it countless times in my

on the steering wheel as I navigate the twists and turns, feeling my anxiety wriggle about in my belly, like

mirror every few seconds, half expecting to see glowing

the pack punching bag. One of the young wolves‘ favorite