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 like a gift

wolves.

don’t have a wolf.

towel in her direction, watching

Grey, Pack Defect

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

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

Hah.

won’t ever happen.

adult, I’d still have 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

I mutter, and she drops it. For

now.

been showing me apartments for rent, coming up with mock budgets,

first person to notice the

Groy. Pack

person to

that I still can’t

loud.

is abusive. Who the

me once. Before I came of age and they realized I had no wolf at all.

have warm memories. Sweet memories. Memories

out at night during my lowest times. Memories

me when I cried. Memories of Dad when he

me onto his shoulders and tell me

Phoenix when they would call me

Good times.

Gone times.

if I hadn’t shared that affection with them once. Maybe it would hurt a little less if it hadn’t simply…

olathas no food and no shelter talling

C

Ava Grey,

bring me what I wanted most, what I was

My wolf.

alert–it didn’t work. He’s still mad about

***

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 to get mugged.

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

I love her.

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

neglected and abused from a

14:32

6/11

Grey, Pack

family, and I have

at least twice a week. Especially when I show

to do anything, anyway.

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

and pack is to find my fated mate in another. I dream

sometimes it hurts to even think

because there’s always the chance that I have

in a new pack is just

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

quiet neighborhoods of

14:33

7/11

Grey,

an unlit rural road that leads into

territory.

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

My grip tightens on the steering wheel as I navigate the twists and turns, feeling my anxiety wriggle about in my

the rearview mirror every

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