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.

It’s like

wolves.

have a

flick the dirty towel in her

Ava Grey, Pack

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

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

Hah.

won’t ever

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

a cultural thing,” I mutter, and she drops it.

now.

coming up with mock budgets,

person to notice the control my

Groy.

first person

say words that I still

loud.

family is abusive. Who the hell does

loved me once. Before I came of age and they

have warm memories. Sweet memories.

at night during my lowest times. Memories of Mom

when I cried. Memories of Dad

shoulders and tell

and Phoenix when they would call me

Good times.

Gone times.

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

no food and

C

Ava Grey,

bring me what

My wolf.

didn’t work. He’s still

***

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

she could have the same things happen, she grabbed my hand and said seriously,

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

thinks I’m neglected and abused

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Ava Grey, Pack Defect

and I have

call the cops at least twice a week. Especially when I show up with

be able to

has different laws. No part of the government would interfere in

is to find my fated mate in another. I dream

it hurts to even think

there’s always the chance that

a new pack is just

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

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

14:33

7/11

Ava Grey, Pack

Eventually, those buildings give way to an unlit rural road that leads

territory.

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

to close in on me, casting long shadows across the road. My grip tightens on the steering

the rearview mirror every few seconds, half expecting to see glowing eyes or shadows lurking in the darkness behind

punching bag. One of the young wolves‘ favorite pastimes is hunting the