~O~
Pack Mentality
Angela's lips found Moira's that morning.
The two women laid together in bed with Angela comfortably on top of Moira; sharing a soft, languid kiss, Angela's fingers wove through Moira's hair, teasing her scalp. A few soft, contented sounds emerged from Moira's lips. She seemed to enjoy the contact, the slow buildup between them. They most likely had very little time to spend together before they would move on to their mission, but both were determined to make the short time worth while.
"Angela..." Moira's words were barely above a whisper, followed by a small gasp when a thigh pushed between her legs.
Angela was welcomed by heat and dampness against her bare thigh. She pulled her lips from Moira's, meeting her eyes; her face was red from nose to ear across her face, her gaze two different shades darker and her lips parted in thick breaths. The want, the need looking back at her was so utterly breathtaking on Moira's face.
"Mmm...would you like me to?" Angela queried, kissing along the length of Moira's jaw.
Moira chuckled breathlessly. There was a tremble in her voice now. "You surely have to ask?"
Angela grinned, leaned back a little to focus on the task at hand; she kissed paths slowly down Moira's abdomen, feeling the muscles clench at the contact of her lips. When the younger woman glanced up, she noticed that Moira's attention was fully on her as she licked her lips in anticipation.
She made a few more small sounds as Angela gently nudged her legs wider for her. Angela pressed soft, very small kisses inside Moira's left thigh. Then, more followed across the other. She wanted to make this morning last and cherish the sight of Moira quivering with need, but knew that they had very little time to do so. Still, Angela would be quick about it and very, very thorough.
Angela's lips moved further south toward the little patch of curly red hairs and she wasted no time passing her tongue lightly between her hot, damp folds. Moira groaned lowly, twitching her hips up into the delicate contact. Her jaw set, her throat bobbed and her chest swelled in a deep breath. A hiss followed when Angela lightly stroked her tongue across the sensitive bud of her clit.
The older woman was quite sensitive to every little lick across her entrance; she trembled, her breathing shallow. Angela wrapped her arms around Moira's thighs and slipped her tongue inside, earning a lust-filled grunt and a smile as the older woman squirmed pleasantly.
"Yes, please, Angela..." she whispered.
There was just something arousing about the plea on Moira's lips, the way the older woman fisted the sheets at her head and the way those long legs shook. One hooked around Angela, holding her right where she was needed and her hips twitched up against Angela's face.
Fingertips gently stroked down the length of Moira's leg, moving inward before slowly pushing inside of her. Moira's noises were louder, more indulgent than the last. She was certainly impatient as she rocked lightly against the hand that filled her; and yet, her lips formed soft encouragements, whispers for more.
And Angela certainly gave more; her lips suckled at Moira's clit, her fingers worked a harder rhythm into her and it wasn't long before Moira's breaths were faster, trembling words bursting from her lips. She clasped a hand over her mouth to stifle the noises as not to be heard as she watched Angela with dark, unfocused eyes.
"Mmm, Angela, I'm..." Moira breathed.
There was something quite empowering to see Moira come undone like this and the younger woman craved more of those sweet noises. Angela met her gaze, pulled away only the slightest to smile sweetly at her and raise an eyebrow.
"Close, aren't you? I can tell," she purred, teasing her thumb across the swollen, flushed bud of Moira's clit. "Well? What are you waiting for?"
The older woman certainly needed no further encouragement. She groaned into her hand and her free one gripped Angela's head. Her hips jerked against Angela's ministrations before she clenched tightly, falling over the edge with a muffled cry in her mouth.
It took a few moments for her to relax; Angela pulled away, watching as Moira's breathing slowed down and she laughed softly. Angela gave her another second to catch her breath before she laid her head down across her chest, kissing the warm skin at her disposal. It thrilled her when she felt her embrace returned and a chaste kiss placed on her forehead. Moira seemed to be happier this morning, so she took a chance.
"Are you...better today?" she asked, carefully.
Moira nodded her head reassuringly. "I am. I know now what Wolf's Bane can do." she said, "While the reaction is unpredictable, it could backfire against us. Unless I find a way to keep myself and the other wolves of Victor's pack from exposure. It wouldn't be complicated."
"No, that's..." Angela hesitated, thinking of Moira's words. "That isn't what I meant."
Moira swallowed thickly, refusing to look at her. She cleared her throat before her features became impassive. She shrugged one shoulder dismissively before glancing up at the clock on the wall.
"I'm fine, Angela," she assured her, after a moment. "We have a job to do. That's all."
Angela knew Moira wanted to avoid the discussion. She was determined to reassure her otherwise regarding her doubts, but Moira seemed uninterested in talking about it. And it seemed as if neither one of them would get a further chance as a knock came at the door and Rosita's voice spoke to them.
"Are you two amantes awake?" she said, "They're ready!"
Moira looked down at Angela and shared a little kiss with her. It was short and Angela noticed how cold she suddenly seemed as opposed to earlier when she was warm, aching and trembling for her. Moira's eyes told a different story, but she was smiling, assuring her with another touch to her cheek.
"Well? Duty calls."
Yes. Of course.
Duty calls.
O
"A Masquerade ball?"
Moira found the idea both pleasing, yet absurd. The palace would be having such a ball on the evening that Julian and their werewolves would supposedly be. Yet, it still raised far too many questions as to how they would find their way inside.
When Moira had mentioned it, there had been an exchange of glances between everyone and an uncomfortable silence. She furrowed her brow, looked at Ana questionably.
"What have you learned?" she asked.
"My idiota nephew told us a few things we needed to know." Victor said.
Ana sighed softly and she pressed a few keys on the holopad, producing an image of an older man in a suit and tie. He had sunken eyes, gray hair and a pin on his lapel. Victor recognized the man immediately and bared his teeth. The reaction caught Moira's interest.
"Do you know this man, Victor?" she asked him.
"I do." Victor said, "I've discussed it with Ana. He's Marco Sànchez, a friend of the Prime Minister of Spain."
"Ah." Moira nodded an affirmative. "I see. What does he have to do with this?"
Genji spoke this time, his voice strangely quiet. "We believe he's aiding Julian and his pack."
"That's quite the accusation," Moira replied, her voice light with amusement. "Do you have proof of this?"
"Marco was a guy we knew long ago," Victor explained, with a roll of his eyes. "He knew about werewolves because my cousin changed once when he went hunting. Marco had been out in the woods looking to hunt himself and he'd seen it. He was eager to be one of us, but I didn't like him. He had a way about him I couldn't trust. Mala pata. He latched himself to Julian, though. Maybe he promised the baboso that he'd turn him if he helped. It's the only way I can think of that Julian and the others could get inside easily."
Angela frowned thoughtfully. "So this Marco. If we were to apprehend him before he reaches the palace, will it stop the pack?"
"It's a long shot, but worth a try," Jesse agreed. "Let's find this guy and bring him in."
Moira looked briefly down at Angela, who returned the look - a hopeful smile. Moira gave a half-smile in response, but didn't seem as hopeful as she was. Angela's smile disappeared somewhat. She really wanted to know what had made Moira so despondent, but she knew she wouldn't get an answer right now.
"Now, did you find anything that we can use to our advantage, Dr. O'Deorain?" Ana asked, turning her focus to Moira.
"Yes." Moira answered, with a small nod. "Silver seems to cause adverse effects when in contact with a werewolf, as the stories so suggest. If we utilize silver for our officers, they will have the advantage."
Rosita made a face and Victor sneered with disgust.
"Silver." Rosita hissed, "Vergonzoso."
"I don't like it any more than you," Moira told her, voice suddenly dry with disappointment, "Do I delight in the thought of accidentally being shot at by our infamous cowboy?" She flicked her gaze toward Jesse, who rolled his eyes in response. "No, I don't. But if we are to win against Julian and his pack, we have little choice in the matter. We need every advantage we can have."
Most of them seemed to agree.
"Marco is scheduled to meet with the Prime Minister later this evening," Ana explained to all of them, "A few of you will apprehend him for questioning while we work here to make the silver necessary to arm our officers."
Angela raised her hand. "I'll go. Should anyone need a doctor."
"I will." Genji added, stepping forward.
Moira nodded in agreement. Her tone sounded oddly hollow. "I'll go as well." she told her. "It wouldn't do to leave Angela and Genji without the company of a...well...a werewolf. The engineering staff can work on creating the silver necessary as we do."
Ana seemed to approve. "Very well. I want every comm channel left open."
Moira smiled, but the tone in her voice still seemed relatively colder. "Of course."
O
"Why are you doing this?"
Marco paced back and forth, armed with a handgun. He was standing before a whimpering woman bound in a chair in the warehouse that evening. He sighed, stared down at his weapon before pointing it at her. Her whimpers raised in volume as she stared down the barrel of the gun.
"It's what he wants," he told her, tone frigid, but eyes remorseful, "I don't want to kill you, but I have to. If it means I get my reward, I'd blow up an entire orphanage. I don't have a choice."
"Of course you have a choice!"
Marco turned, gun raised toward Genji, Angela and Moira as they walked into the warehouse. Angela was dressed in her Valkyrie armor and clutched her staff tightly in hand. Genji's sword was drawn and Moira was in a suit of her own design. Tubes containing violet fluid attached to her back occasionally swirled and churned.
Angela had spoken with firm resolve. "You don't have to shoot her. You can come with us quietly."
Marco smiled coldly. "I do. He wants this one gone. She will only interfere."
"This can go easy for you," Angela warned him, taking a step forward, "Let her go and drop your weapon. We can discuss this sensibly. No one needs to die."
Marco's eyes darted to each and every face watching him. Genji took a step forward and he immediately turned, running out of the warehouse.
"Get him!" Angela cried, "We can't let him escape!"
Moira was already the first to give chase. Genji watched her go, surprised, but Angela urged him to her side to help unbind the woman from her seat.
"Genji, help me with her, please," she said. "Moira will catch him."
"How do we know she won't kill him?"
The question surprised Angela. She lifted her head with a frown. "What?"
"Ah, never-mind," Genji began to free the woman's left hand. "Forgive me, Angela. I was in deep thought for the moment. I trust she knows what she's doing."
Meanwhile, Marco had run to his car parked across the street. He quickly got into the driver's seat, started it up and slammed on the pedal. But even as the machinery roared to life, the vehicle wouldn't move. Marco looked around frantically before staring into the rear-view mirror, horrified to see Moira standing behind the car, a fiendish grin on her face.
She was clutching the back of the car with two hands forceful enough to leave dents in the metal.
"Going somewhere so soon, Marco?" Moira hissed, with effort.
"No, you're..." Marco gasped, realization lighting his face.
He frantically struggled to power the vehicle further; but Moira's werewolf strength had her clutching the back of his car and refusing to let it go. He screamed with terror and Moira let out a frightening cackle.
Angela and Genji were rushing out of the warehouse with the woman they'd untied running beside them. Moira had set down the car and Genji reached in to grab Marco and yank him out. He raised two hands to ward off a potential attack, looking mournfully toward Moira.
"You... You were given a gift. Why? What did you do to earn it?" he groaned.
"No more talk from you," Genji told him, voice dropping a pitch in warning. "Now, you come with us."
Marco didn't resist this time; he continued to stare at Moira.
"Ana, we have the target." Genji spoke into his comm. "We're ready for pickup."
"Affirmative. Wait there and a drop-ship will arrive at your position in ten minutes."
O
Marco was sitting in the small, barely lit room, tapping his heel against the floor while he was being questioned by Ana sitting across from him. Angela, Moira and Victor were in the room with her.
"Who was that woman you were planning to kill?" Ana asked him.
"Her name is Paloma Sanz," Marco explained, quietly. He fidgeted with his hands. "She works for the Prime Minister as an assistant. They work very closely together and she monitors a lot of what goes on at social events, parties and charity balls. There would be a masquerade ball scheduled and they could enter inside without being noticed by anyone."
"And killing her would, what? Help Julian?"
Marco sighed, his tone surprisingly calmer than it had been a few hours ago. "Julian has ideas to make Spain better for the rest of us. He knows that we are corrupt as humans. He seeks to end that corruption once and for all." he explained, "And he needed my help to do it."
Victor let out a guffaw and rolled his eyes. "Dios mío my brother's really gotten into your head. Julian killed our sister for disagreeing with his choices. What do you think he'd do to you?"Off of Marco's hesitant frown, Victor continued with firm resolve. "He's going to die for what he's done and what he continues to do. I promise you that."
Marco was silent for a moment, watching each face. His next question seemed careful, but carried a new tone that was relatively darker. "What will you do with me?"
"That depends on you," Ana told him, "You can redeem yourself and help us stop Julian before he kills many innocent people - "
Marco interrupted her with a cold laugh now. "Innocent?"
He reached into his pocket, producing a holo video of a collection of people who everyone assumed were of higher authority and would be present at the masquerade ball.
"Let me tell you some of those 'innocent people'," Marco continued, briskly, "All of them hide who they really are behind smiles, decadence and lies. Here's one!" He stopped at a picture of a smiling woman. "Jacqueline Stone. She is a representative for the United Kingdom. She receives vast amounts of donations to support orphaned children after the Omnic Crisis. But where do you think that money goes? Hm? To her fancy cars and drug habits."
"And that gives you authority to judge who deserves to die?" Victor hissed now, slapping his hands down loudly on the table. "You sound like Julian. He thinks he's a god among humans and he's tugging you on a leash like the stupid little pendejo you are."
Marco swallowed thickly, lowering his eyes at the intensity of Victor's cold glare.
"Regardless of what these people have done," Ana continued, with firm resolve, "We will not allow a pack of werewolves to slaughter them as they so please." She leaned forward and raised an eyebrow. "You don't truly believe that Julian will hold up his end of the bargain, do you? Surely a man such as yourself could clearly see that he is using you for his own personal gain."
Marco did seem to consider something. He hesitated, furrowed his brow before he groaned, clasping his head with two hands. He let out a softer sound; a whine of anguish and frustration.
"You don't understand what it's like to have nothing," he whimpered, "He promised me I would be changed to be like them...to walk the path of a werewolf. I could FINALLY be rid of this horrible human form and been more." Another pained sound escaped him and he buried his head in his arms. "It's...it's not fair."
No one said anything more on the matter. The only sounds in the room were Marco's soft, sorrowful sobs.
O
Moira was silently working in her lab when Angela visited her.
She found the older woman wearing an apron, thick gloves, a mask and goggles over her eyes. She had been pouring a liquid substance into a container, murmuring thoughtfully; her words were of measurement calculations regarding whatever she had been pouring. Angela walked up to her and placed a hand over her shoulder. The act made Moira pause in her work and she looked down at her, surprised.
"Oh! Angela, I didn't expect to see you." she said.
"What are you working on?" Angela asked, with a small smile.
Moira removed the mask and goggles; she looked quite happy to explain her work. "Well, I've talked with Rosita and Victor and they explained a way for us to be able to resist the effects of silver and Wolf's Bane, albeit temporarily. I have made a mixture here that we can take prior to our involvement should the necessity arise."
"Ah, that's wonderful!" Angela said, patting her shoulder. "I knew you'd find a way."
"Let's not celebrate quite yet," Moira reminded her, staring down at the mixture with dismay, "It's only temporary and we have very few materials at hand. Still, it's a precaution."
"Precaution. Of course."
"Should any of us end up caught in a crossfire, perhaps," Moira added, under her breath.
"I don't think that would happen," Angela assured her.
Moira murmured, somehow less than convinced. The tone caught up with Angela and she furrowed her brow, concerned by it. She tilted her head, studied Moira's impassive expression. Something bothered her. Something more than just the task at hand.
"Moira, what is it?" she asked. "Something bothers you, I can see it."
Moira opened her mouth to answer, hesitated briefly and Angela knew that was it. Something had clearly troubled her and she refused to discuss it. But Angela insisted on it either way.
"Moira, please," she said, giving her arm a gentle shake, "Tell me. What's bothering you?"
Moira sighed heavily, as if releasing a great burden. She turned to face her, features a mask of deep thought. She opened her mouth to speak, but there was an officer who entered the laboratory and immediately, her gaze hardened at the sight of him.
"What do you need?" she asked, biting out her words impatiently.
"I have been sent by Amari to come bring you up for debriefing," he told her, "You had not answered your comm."
"Ah." Moira quietly grunted at her error and turned, focusing on her task once more. "I'll be there shortly. I'm almost finished with what I was doing here. I will have it ready for preparation and a full report within the hour."
"Of course."
The officer departed and Moira attempted to ignore the worried frown on Angela's face. "If that is all, Angela. I have my work to complete. We can talk more on our way to the palace in regards to the mission."
Angela started to protest, but Moira returned her focus to her work and she sighed, disappointed. "Alright. Of course."
Moira didn't let Angela see the pained look on her face.
She silently continued her work as the younger woman left the lab.
Angela was troubled by what had happened, so she walked to Ana's office. She gave a little knock at the door and waited for her voice before stepping inside. Ana was gathering a few holo reports when she saw Angela step inside. With a wave of her hand, she sent the report aside and looked at her, frowning.
"Angela, what's the matter?" she asked, "You look troubled."
"I'm...a bit worried about Moira." Angela told her, "Something happened and she won't tell me what..."
Her eyes fell to one of the reports on the desk. Frowning, she noticed a few words that caught her attention.
Dismissal.
O'Deorain.
Angela looked at Ana for an explanation. She shook her head and pointed at the report. "What's this?"
Ana sighed heavily, shutting her eyes. She held up two hands. "It's...a matter I've been attempting to quell for a few days now." she explained. "There's been discussion from the board about Dr. O'Deorain's termination."
Angela's eyes widened. She blinked once. Twice. "What?"
"You understand how it is with these things, Angela," Ana replied, with dismay, "They were made aware of the werewolves and the threat, but understand that O'Deorain is one of them. They call for her termination as they do not want to be worried of any potential...problems."
"But she isn't like them!" Angela protested.
"I know. They don't see it that way. I've been working hard to convince them of this."
"Who are they to judge?" Angela scowled now, beginning to pace around the office. "I mean, it's complete scheisse! She's worked hard for us and they want to simply throw her away?"
"I'm trying, Angela. It's been chaotic during this entire situation. I'm hoping to convince them that Moira is no threat to us."
Angela would not be content with that answer. She continued to pace angrily, throwing her hands in the air. It was one thing to be concerned. Yes, she was aware that Moira's touch with lycanthropy was not something to handle lightly; but to throw her away? To outright terminate her position at Overwatch? That wasn't fair.
It isn't fair...
"Angela..." Ana began, gently. She walked around her desk, set her hand on Angela's shoulder and gave her a smile that attempted reassurance. "Don't worry. I won't let it happen."
O
It had begun to rain that evening as the Overwatch officers made their way to Madrid. Moira was spraying the werewolves with her perfume she had made and one of them struggled with the suit and tie he had been made to wear. He was also wearing a decorated mask designed to resemble a dog.
"Look at me," he grumbled, "I feel like a butterfly. This is the stupidest thing I've ever done."
Moira adjusted his mask. "Somehow I doubt that." she quipped. Then, her voice was serious. "Now then, we will enter the palace through the main entrance hall. The rest of you will be allowed entry inside with the papers you were given. You will go through the kitchen and the meals will be ready for you to serve the guests. I trust you are capable of that?"
Ana's voice piped up over everyone's comm. "I want it clean and by the book." she told her. "No one strays from the mission. Regardless of what Marco tells us, there are innocent people around. Keep yourselves steady until you are sure the enemy is there, understood?"
"Understood." Angela told her.
She looked up at Moira, who fitted a decorated mask resembling a devil over her face. The older woman adjusted her suit labels and turned her attention to Angela. She held out her arm for her and Angela quite happily took it. The younger woman fitted a mask over her face - it resembled a bird.
Angela tried to take her mind off of what she'd heard from Ana. It kept her unfocused even as Moira was talking to her. She didn't hear what the older woman was saying - she hadn't meant to ignore her, really she hadn't - but snapped out of it and made out the last of what Moira was finishing.
" - and it's a masquerade ball," Moira murmured, "I haven't enjoyed one like this in some time."
They made their way from the drop-ship, toward several parked cars nearby. Angela chuckled a little, glancing up at Moira through her mask. Hearing how content Moira was did give her a sense of peace as well.
"You look nice." she said.
Moira's voice carried a smile. "One must dress the best for these things."
Ana's voice filled her comm. "Remember. The Prime Minister is set to arrive in an hour. The security has been informed of the situation."
Moira made an amused sound. "You told them there might be werewolves attacking the palace?"
"I informed them of a potential security hazard. That's all they know."
Victor turned his attention to a few wolves of his pack who had offered to join; Carlos was among them, eager to prove his worth to his Alpha. However, one of the werewolves didn't trust it.
"I don't like this," he said, hesitantly. "We will never get away with this."
Victor patted his shoulders with two hands. "Berto, we will. We MUST. We have to put an end to Julian once and for all."
"Hey, what about your nephew? Ronaldo?" Jesse questioned, when they gathered into the car.
Victor sighed heavily through his nose. "Ser un chaval. The pack mentality is strong with the young ones. Ronaldo is still loyal to his father, even if he doesn't want to be. He's staying in that cell until it's over."
Jesse raised an eyebrow before nodding. "Alright then."
He argued no further.
The two looked up when they noticed Moira and Angela get into the car in front of them. Jesse sighed quietly before shaking his head. He considered something for a moment before he spoke.
"You know, I never did trust her but...what's gonna happen after this is over?" he asked.
Victor's features were impassive, but he seemed to know more than he let on. "I don't know."
O
Crowds of finely dressed people.
Smells in the air; expensive champagne, clean curtains, varieties of food laid out across long, wide tables. Aimless chatter.
Moira felt content when she arrived with Angela on her arm. It was such a display of lavished decadence, but she was content with it. After all, she had rarely had the time to indulge in such things. A masquerade party was just the proper thing to put her at ease a little and Angela seemed to agree.
"I thought you'd enjoy this, Moira," she whispered, sidelong to her, "After all, you seemed so utterly distracted."
"Perhaps you're right," Moira agreed, "This is what I needed. Thank you."
Angela was smiling behind her mask.
The two women looked up when they noticed the familiar sight of the Prime Minister - Mariano Aznar. He was smiling, shaking hands with people in the group and started to take interviews with members of the press. He wasn't wearing anything for the masquerade party; just a simple black suit and tie. So far, the security around him had been increased, but he didn't seem to be concerned.
Beside them, Carlos stepped forward carrying a tray of finger sandwiches as part of his disguise. "I don't like this," he hissed, softly, "What if he learns what we are."
"The Prime Minister is nothing but a true politician," Moira told him, "He knows only the information he's given to satisfy him. Nothing more."
She faced him now. "Listen to me. Listen to me!" She added with more force when she noticed he wasn't paying attention. "Let the others know that they are to maintain position. We are not to allow any openings for Julian, do you understand?"
Carlos nodded his head. "Si. I got it."
Moira tilted her head once in acknowledgement. "Good luck tonight."
"Thank you."
If Victor's assumptions about his brother were true, they would all certainly need luck tonight.