POV - Alpha Carlisle
I sat in my office, with Chris and Chaos and an open pack link between us including Kyas.
I tapped my pen on my desk.
I was quiet, thinking about how to go about this. How do I find out if Kyas knew he could command Elias. Did he do it on purpose? If he doesn't know he did that, do we tell him? What might he do if knows? I didn't even know if he could do it when he's not angry.
Let's start with what I know I can work with.
"Why, Kyas?" I asked.
'I think that's obvious, Alpha. He was starving my pack. He put his own jealousy over little Elsie and Michael. He decided that all the people that make this pack work in all its wonderful ways, were collateral damage to himself. I just couldn't let that go.' He said.
I noticed it again, that difference from Kyas' normal demeanor and speech pattern. He was more straightforward, factual, confident.
"Kyas, I am the Alpha of this pack. It's MY job to handle this type of issue. You should have waited for me. You told Gamma Chris to wait for me, why didn't you?" I asked him.
'Couldn't do it. Not possible. You weren't here.' He said.
"What do you mean?" I asked him, being careful to let him lead his responses so I can see where his head space is. Is he, himself, going to be a danger to this pack?
'Alpha, logically, I know I should have followed my own advice, but every fiber of my being needed to eliminate this threat to my people. He's one of the pack, so I would like to think I wouldn't actually hurt him, but if he does something to hurt them again, I can't promise I won't. I know this pack is ultimately yours, but... I love them. Wholeheartedly, Completely. I won't let anyone hurt them. Not even my brother.' He said candidly.
I realized that right then, I wasn't talking to my son, I was talking to a Gamma of my pack. The tone was serious, confident in a way that Kyas wasn't. It required a change in tactics.
"That was a serious threat to give to a fifteen year old boy, and an Alpha's son." I said, treading lightly.
'As already stated, it was no threat, it was a promise. That fifteen year old boy threatened hundreds of people that should have been under his protection and care. They are under mine. An Alpha's son should take more care in his actions, and remember that I will keep this promise just as I did the first one. Just as completely.' Kyas said.
"You're going to have to apologize to him." I said.
'Can't do it. I'm not sorry.' He countered.
"What about me? Don't you think you should apologize to me, for overstepping my authority?" I asked him.
'Absolutely. You are the Alpha. I did do that, and I should not have. I apologize." He said.
This was surreal. Talking to my son yet not my son.
"And?"
'Can't do it. Can't promise that I won't do it again, if my pack is threatened.' He said.
"Is there a promise that you Can make me? To help me feel at ease that you aren't also a threat to them?" I asked.
'Yes. I can promise that, if you are here, I will not overstep again. Also, if I break that, you may command me in any way that makes you feel safe, and I will submit.' He offered.
"Did you intend to command Elias?" I asked.
And just like that, Kyas broke. He snorted and laughed. 'No,' he chuckled. 'I'm surprised he listened.' His tone got serious, again, but in Kyas' usual manner.. 'I wanted him to see what he was so jealous over, so maybe he would get over himself. I'm not stupid enough to think that was real.' He said.
So, he wasn't aware that his commands worked. Good to know.
"Kyas, I'm in new territory. I've never dealt with someone... as passionate as you in this regard. I'm not sure if punishment is due or if you were justified in what you did. I'm going to ask the Council of Elders for their wisdom again. You may go, but this may not be over.
'Yes, Alpha.' He said, and Chaos left my office.
I met Chris' eyes.
"I wasn't imagining that right? For most of that, it was not Kyas?" He asked.
"It was and it wasn't. You know how you're different with your family than you are in meetings? As in all business attitude in meetings?" I asked.
"Yeah," he said.
"That was the business end of Kyas. The Gamma, pulling no punches, answering to his boss." I said.
"So... am I out of a job here?" He asked.
I laughed.
"No, there's no rule that packs can't have more than one Gamma. Some packs don't even know they do, when people like Kyas don't make themselves known. Your job and rank are safe with me. I will definitely not raise a fifteen year old to ranks over other people. So, Gamma or not, I can't recognize him that way."
"Whew," he said. " So explain this to me? How is he a Gamma, but not a Gamma?" He asked.
"Your rank was given to you, Kyas was born to it. We had to train you to see what he sees all around him. Gamma is what you are, your rank, your status. For Kyas, it's who he is. I'm sorry to tell you, but based on the fact that you couldn't pull his command, he outranks you in pure power alone, not to mention instinct, whether I give him that rank or not." I said.
"So, what do we do?" He asked.
"I'm going to have some words with Elias, again, to see if I can't get through to him, and then do what I said and consult the Council. For you, Chris, there are not many people in your position that have the opportunity to learn from a true Gamma, but there's also a lot you can teach him. I like the way you've been working together lately and would like you to keep doing it. You're the perfect babysitter for him." I chuckled.
He nodded. "Yes, Alpha." He smiled.