|Every|

I dropped the medicine bag I was holding and turned to the person who had called me. And it was none other than Grey himself, and I was not hallucinating. I wasn't imagining. It was him, really him, no one else, looking at me as if the world was about to end.

We stared at each other for a few minutes. I stood there with shaky legs. Though I always thought and wished he would come for me soon, seeing him in front of me made me feel weak, made me feel somersaults in my body, and made my heart beat a hundred times faster. He was really there.

'Oh my god, pinch me!' I squealed inside.

'I wish too! He's here!' Sparkle joined my squealing not long after.

Alpha Grey looked a bit tired and lost, and he was panting to catch up with his breathing. He walked over to me, keeping long strides. I only watched him with wide eyes because every single thing felt unreal. I even felt like I was unreal, as if I wasn't there but somewhere else. Probably in my ideal world.

And then, he was in front of me. A few inches away from me. I slowly took a step back. I wasn't afraid. I wasn't shy, but... it all felt too good to be true.

We stared at each other for a few seconds. But our eye contact broke when we heard quick footsteps arrive. When we both turned in the direction of the sound, we saw alpha, Luna, and a few pack members, including Jane, watching us in confusion.

"Grey. I am telling you again. If you want warriors, I will give you a hand. If you want betas, I will too. If you want servants even, but I won't let you take her with you as your mate. It's not right at all." alpha Jackson growled.

I looked at both Grey and him with wide eyes. I couldn't believe Grey broke the news to alpha just like that. I couldn't believe he told alpha Jackson that he wanted me as his mate though we weren't mates. How easily does he think about this whole thing? He was brave, and I wasn't. That was the entire point.

"And I told you, alpha Jackson..." Grey trailed off and looked at me with a smile. "That I only take her in as my friend. Nothing more, nothing less. You don't have to be worried over nothing." Grey casually replied, taking deep breaths.

I could see droplets of sweat slowly sliding down his neck as he breathed heavily. It made me wonder what the hell happened before. What did he talk about with alpha Jackson?? And suddenly, I felt a pang in my chest when he said that he was only taking in me as a friend. There was a sudden gush of emotions inside me. I felt trapped with them attacking me all at once.

"Not her. She- she's a mute. There's absolutely no reason for you to take her." alpha Jackson tried again. And it made me feel more puzzled. Did alpha Jackson hate me so much that he wanted me to stay in the pack forever and suffer? Or did he think about Grey?

I looked down at my feet. I felt his words reaching my heart. I knew it. I wasn't worthy of being with Grey. He was an alpha who had a lot of power, confidence, and courage, while I was just a servant in the packhouse to whom no one paid any attention to.

"You know the rules, Jackson. Let her decide." Grey said with a smirk and turned to me. "Will you come with me? Will- Will you come to my pack?"

I could hear murmurs spreading around when he asked the question. Luna looked devastated at some point, and alpha Jackson looked at me and shook his head. I felt as if I was doing a great sin. Why did they both look as if I was about to ruin Grey's life?

They looked like it would be the end of the world if I chose him. And suddenly, their eyes showed a pleading expression that I couldn't quite understand.

I looked around in confusion. I spared a glance at every single person around us. Guilt formed inside me. They were all waiting for my reply...

And there also formed a weird sensation in my heart.

Everyone was looking at me. Everyone was waiting for me to nod or shake my head, accept Grey's offer, or put him down by staying in the pack. I've never got that much attention. It wasn't like I craved for it anyway. But getting loads of attention at once seemed unreal for me. A glint of hope sparked in my mind. It grew to a specific limit. It felt like a pleasant dream where I was the protagonist.

I've never felt that way. All this time, I thought I was just a side character, maybe just an extra in someone else's life. I thought the protagonist was alpha Jackson, most probably Ren. It was their story, they were under the spotlight, and I had no space in their story. The director of the story was about to kick me out of it...

And then... now, having all the attention on me made me feel special. As if I was a person too! I felt like the spotlight turned in my way. I didn't care for how long it would remain, but I wished it would remain a bit longer. A teeny bit longer so I could decide what I wanted, for the first time ever.

It was time for me to escape the pack, the Blue Crystal Pack, where I grew up with no love, no care, and no friends. Though I collected many experiences, I was never happy to begin with. I didn't know what awaited me in the future, but I wanted to take a step ahead. I wanted to get away from the pack and start a new life... maybe.

I nodded.

Alpha Jackson looked away. Luna shook his head as she looked at me as if I had put a significant weight on her shoulders. Whispers, murmurs, and surprised gasps bubbled within the crowd.

"We can go right now, or do you need time?" alpha Grey gently asked me.

I shook my head.

I didn't want time. I couldn't help but feel giddy at the thought of leaving the pack. I didn't feel sad, but there was a bit of guilt in my heart thinking about the people I would go to. And I knew... I should be selfish this once, this only once, and think about myself.

I wanted to explore the world. Try this new opportunity I got that I will never ever get. Get away from the place that haunted me for days and nights. I just wanted to... leave. I wanted a break. I wanted some rest.

"Say goodbye to anyone?" Grey whisper asked.

I thought for a second.

As much as I've loved a few people in my pack, I didn't feel like they owed an explanation from me or goodbye from me. Fah, Nanny, Rose... and now even Jane. They had always been special people in my life. But I didn't want to say goodbye before I left.

As selfish as I may sound, all I wanted was an escape right then.

I shook my head, saying that I didn't want to say any goodbyes. I slowly raised my head and looked at the crowd again. There were almost all of the pack members watching us. And I was sure Fah, Rose, and Nanny were somewhere in, too... looking at me. They were waiting for me to come to hug them. But I didn't want to.

'Forgive me for not saying goodbye. If I say, it will only make me come back to you out of guilt. I don't want that to happen.' I bit my lower lip and thought, taking a tough decision.

Alpha Grey offered me a beautiful smile. He extended his hand to me, and I slowly held his hand. He clasped my hand tightly with a gentle grip, and we walked toward alpha and Luna. Grey nodded to them as if saying he was done with what he came for.

Then through the crowd, I left the packhouse... forever? I had no idea.