POV - Chaos/Kyas
Chaos
Preparations for the induction ceremony kicked off two weeks beforehand, and Alpha was going all out. His son was finally joining the pack and he was a very proud Papa.
Decorations were pulled down from hidden corners of the attic, a tall stage was built so a large gathering could see from their seats. Flowers were brought in from various locations, but the main one was a fire red rose, that were woven into every arrangement.
Intricate table placements were ordered, a huge cover built in case of bad weather, an actual red carpet isle created. Music was booked, catering ordered menues planned, invitations chosen. It was like no expense spared wedding.
I was in awe. I had never seen such a going on, and I honestly felt a bit intimidated and overwhelmed. I sometimes ended up in Alpha's room just to have quiet to recover from the noise and bustle.
I would have gone to Elias' room, but it was just as bad in there. Who knew so much went into just the right thing to wear? What no one expected though was the Elias sized bridezilla that completed the scene. Secretly he was trying to get two suits that matched, one for Kyas, but he really threw himself into it.
He had issues with everything. Alpha brought in tailors from the local town and he sure did like looking in the mirror. He was relentless - Is that coat black or blue? Would white be better? Yes, the black one. No, not That one, yes, this one. Wait, are those black buttons? I want white. Square buttons? I want round. I need two shirts. What if I spill something on one? Clip on tie? I want a real one. I can't tie this, show me. This is too hard, you do it. Is that a scuff mark on that shoe? I need a different pair. Wait, just use shoe polish on that one. Oh my Goddess that stinks. STOP! I need a break. Just leave all this on the floor and get out! I call you when I'm ready.
When he kicked them out, he would then sift through the items left behind to find two of something he liked. I even saw him switch a vest for a matching one and pull a string so he could claim it needed a full re-adjustment to fit.
Through our bond, I could tell he was having a blast, and him and Ethos would both be cracking up in bed at the end of the day. It took three days and he finally got both suits.
I was downstairs in the dining hall with Alpha and Luna when the tailors left. It wasn't meal time, we were just being with the pack. As one passed, he stopped.
"Alpha," he said. "When that boy gets married I think he'll give his bride a fight for top brat. I don't envy you that day. Maybe lose my card..." and he walked out. Alpha put his hands up. Who knew?
On the night of the ceremony, Kyas was a nervous wreck, but excited too. Papa called Elias away to prepare him, but we were on our own. We had worked out long ago when to shift, to make the most of every second. I waited at the window in Elias' room, and shifted as soon as I could.
Kyas
I had no time. I bolted for the bathroom to take a shower, and then copied what I had seen Elias do before he left. These clothes were so stiff, and covered everything. It reminded me of fur covered in burrs. I quickly snuck downstairs, trying to mingle with the crowd, not knowing where Elias was.
I'm glad I did. As I passed people, they thought I was Elias, and kept trying to fix my clothes. One fixed my tie, another my cuff links, another how the pant legs were supposed to have the seams a certain way. I laughed a bit. I felt like a prince being attended to.
Someone passed and laid a hand on my shoulder. It was an older lady. "It's so nice to see you smile, Elias." She said.
I grinned. I knew her but had never actually met her. "It's a good day to smile, Mrs. Cinder." She seemed surprised I knew her name.
"Why, yes it is! Best get to your Papa, son. It's about to start." She said.
"Yes, ma'am." I said with a nod, and took that as my que to head for the sidelines.
There were two others being inducted tonight, a boy, Brandon, and a girl, Elena. Papa and Mama stepped on stage, and and called the girl forward, and her mother went with her. I couldn't hear all of the words, but I knew what they were. Elias practiced them over and over, and so did I behind the barrier.
Papa pricked his thumb and a drop of blood came out, and did the same to her thumb. They touched blood to blood and the girl seemed like a shock wave went through her. Immediately her mother whispered in her ear, helping her recover. She lifted her head and smiled.
"Welcome to the Fire Moon Pack Elena Moon. Welcome home." Papa said loud enough for everyone to hear. The pack clapped for her and gave wolf howls.
He then called the boy, and did the same.
"Welcome to the Fire Moon Pack Brandon Storm. Welcome home." Papa said again. The pack clapped and howled.
Papa motioned Elias forward. Papa nodded at him.
" I, Elias Blaze, ask to be accepted to the Fire Moon Pack. I accept you, Alpha Carlisle Blaze as my Alpha, and Luna Ruby Blaze as my Luna. I pledge all that I am to the Fire Moon Pack, and promise to serve the pack faithfully, and hope you find me worthy." He belted out loud and clear.
Papa pricked his thumb, and Elias', and they pressed them together. Elias had the same shock, but then doubled over with a scream, clutching his heart, and I covered my mouth to keep in my own. The pack gasped as one.
I fell to my knees, the massive, overwhelming loss of connection. The isolation. The feeling of truly being without him. Like a light going out and being plunged into darkness. Utterly alone. Chaos howled in pain as well. Our bond had broken. He was in a pack, and I was not. He searched the crowd for me, but didn't see me.
"Elias! What's wrong?" Papa said. We both took a moment and breathed through it. He straightened, but it took me a bit longer. I had to focus on Chaos to get to my feet. Goddess it hurt like a burning hole in my chest. In my whole being.
"I'm ok, Papa," he panted. We can keep going."
Unsure, Papa stepped forward. "Welcome to the Fire Moon Pack Elias Blaze. Welcome home." He said. The pack stood up for him, and clapped and howled louder. I stepped out onto the red carpet.
Papa stepped forward. "Let's all give another round of welc -"
I yelled out loud. "Wait for me, Papa!"
The entire room looked back to see me, many mouths dropping open in shock. I started walking forward. Under the lights, in full view.
Papa and Mama stood on stage as shocked as the pack was.
He looked around and saw everyone, and could see that they saw me, tracking me as I walked that carpet toward them. Dead silent. Goddess, this broken bond hurt! I stumbled, but caught myself. The crowd gasped. I straightened my back and kept going.
I climbed the steps to the stage. I walked toward Papa, but stopped at Elias and touched him. Oh, Goddess, that made it worse, the Nothing from him. I almost threw up and he backed away like he'd been burned, breaking contact. He did throw up.
Breathing heavy. I faced Papa.
As clear as I could do it, I said the words.
" I, Kyas Blaze, ask to be accepted to the Fire Moon Pack. I accept you, Alpha Carlisle Blaze as my Alpha, and Luna Ruby Blaze as my Luna. I pledge all that I am to the Fire Moon Pack, and promise to serve the pack faithfully, and hope you find me worthy."
I sucked in a breath. The hard part. "But, you need to know, first..." I pulled Chaos' collar from my pocket and looked down at it in my hands. "Chaos is not a dog. He is my wolf. I've had him since I was ten. I am Reverse Bound inside him, and can only shift on the full moon."
I looked up at Papa. "Can you accept me too?"
The question hung in the air. Papa hadn't moved.
"Kyas..." he whispered. "Are you real?"
"Yes, Papa, I am here. Like always." I struggled to remain standing. It hurt SO much! I covered my mouth to hold in another scream.
Papa moved. He touched my shoulder. "Kyas, what's hurting you?!"
I pointed at Elias. "The twin bond. It broke when he got in the pack, and I didn't. Oh, Goddess, it hurts so much! I'm so, so, so alone!" I gasped.
Papa cut his thumb, and grabbed mine, cut it and pressed them together. The world shifted, but I swiveled immediately to Elias, and he was right there. We locked arms and the bond surged between us and snapped back into place. We both collapsed on the stage, breathing hard, arms still locked. The bond was back… but again… different and I couldn't place why.
Papa looked out at the crowd. "Do you feel him? Is he real?" He asked them.
They had all been silently watching the happenings unfold. They all started nodding.
"Yes, Alpha, there are two. We do feel him."
He nodded. "Then I need to finish it."
I looked up at him from the floor. "Say it again, Papa."
His brow furrowed in confusion. " Stay with me?"
"Always." I said back.
"Welcome to the Fire Moon Pack Kyas Blaze. Welcome home." He said. The pack roared.