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.

I don’t have a

towel in her

Grey,

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

hurt. Maybe it’ll teach your parents that you’re an adult and they can’t control you.”

Hah.

ever

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

I mutter, and

now.

mock budgets, even discussing our school schedules. Lisa’s pushy in the sweetest way, where she’s just desperate for me to become independent.

the control my family has

Groy.

person to care.

to say words that

loud.

family is abusive. Who the hell does

loved me once. Before I came of age and they realized

memories.

during my lowest times. Memories of

when I cried. Memories

shoulders and tell me I

Memories of Jessa and Phoenix when they would call me their baby sister, and show me off proudly to

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

olathas no food and no shelter

C

Grey, Pack Defect

would bring me what I

My wolf.

work. He’s still

***

parking lot after closing. Lisa never leaves until I’m safely on the road, half in worry that my car will break down (and

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

I love her.

my ride–or–die girl, I have yet to admit that I’m a shifter. I haven’t

thinks I’m neglected and abused

14:32

6/11

Grey, Pack

human family, and I have to convince her not

a week. Especially when I show up with

to do anything, anyway.

of the government would interfere in pack matters.

fated mate in another. I dream

hurts to even

there’s always the chance that I have

that my life in a new pack is just like my

the beginning of spring, but the crisp scent of rain is carried on the breeze, telling

to the quiet neighborhoods of White Peak, occasionally

14:33

7/11

Ava Grey, Pack Defect

give way to an unlit rural road

territory.

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

darker than 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

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.

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