<< Nayaraq Soto >>

The young women trailed behind Jack and Pisco in silence, eyes narrowed in the fading light. God, and it was only going to get worse - Yara could see the small clearing in the park ahead, but the trees' leaves were starting to fade into the canopy, some sort of irritatingly indechiperable green blob. And worse yet, she had forgotten her contacts.

You know, I could be at home. Finishing up my work for the day. By the fireplace. With glasses.

Ah, but no - Yara had been dragged out to a pack meeting for God knew what. Omegas didn't attent these sort of gatherings, with only a few members - certainly not with the high-ranking.

She had spoken with Jack earlier today - ever the loose-lipped one - but even he knew nothing. La Matriarca, of course, understood that happenings of the day, but would she glare down her nose and tell Nayaraq? No. No she wouldn't. Which was to be expected, she supposed - pretentious prick. Obviously, though, the alpha was not keen on... whatever was happening. She reeked of wariness, the sort of wariness that could only mean a threat. The Beta knew, too. He was tense - and even so, the public location lead Yara to believe that this was not her excommunication from the pack, not a ritual, but a meeting - something civilized by human standards, at least. That last time this sort of situation arose - without her - it was a gathering between packs. And it hardly was pleasant, she was told.

"Step," Pisco called out over her shoulder, and Yara gritted her teeth, long limbs already on the concrete incline. "I'm only halfway blind," she quipped, turning on that good-natured charm, and Pisco snorted, amused. Yara was not. She wasn't helpless. She wasn't -

Matriarca swiveled her head over her shoulder, eyes narrowed. "Cállate - hush. We here to meet the others." Nayaraq took a breath through her nose, quieting. She understood those implications: Don't make a fool of me, girl. I don't bring you places for a reason. Nayaraq blinked, huffed, then glanced away, surveying her surroundings as she considered. If nothing else, Yara took some sort of smug solace in that she had been right - this was a gathering between packs. But she understood that that only complicated her own presence in the group - she certainly wasn't a trophy to show off. She wasn't someone with great influence, either. So why...?

Ever so subtly, Yara's face twisted into a frown. She was good with people - but if any of her pack knew why she was here, she would have pried it out of them by now. The small entourage came to a halt, and the cool breeze rustled through the leaves above as they waited. For the others, evidently. Rocking back on her heels, Yara turned to absently picking at the stray threads of her deep green sweater while her odd eyes flicked from one person to the next. Watching. Considering.

Waiting.

<< Louisa Soto >>

Lousia could smell the Manon pack before they were in sight; and in response, almost imperceptibly, her lip curled. Dark eyes flicked left, then right, and the woman blinked lazily as the others came into sight, as though this was beneath her. How odd it must seem to the human passerby, the meeting of these strange groups - but stranger things still people had seen. People liked themselves, tending to not mind the happenings of anyone who didn't impact them. A blessing, Lousia supposed.

As Keir approached with his group, Lousia lifted a hand in greeting; she'd offer him that much, at least. "Keir," she said, voice ever-steady, almost bored. "Can't say I've missed this." Louisa's Beta shifted awkwardly, unsure. Finding no interest in formalities, the alpha cut to the chase. "Some of you know why we're here, some don't. Keir and I," she said, gesturing to the leader of the Manon pack, "have discussed this subject previously, but have decided to inform a select group on our decision."

She stepped forward, chin lifted, perhaps trying to componsate for her diminutive stature. "Many of our kin have gone missing in recent weeks. We have information on their location - and are sending a team to conduct a reconnaissance mission - and rescure, if possible. As of now, we can pinpoint the location near the outskirts of Nogales, in what was once Mexico."

Louisa continued on, undaunted - she wasn't going to let Keir get a word in, not yet. "Most local packs in the area have been driven out, and our kind is growing fewer. Air travel and public transportation is unavailable due to blood testing for our... genes. Since previous rescue attempts have proven unsuccessful, we have decided it is high time we send our own team out. It's a matter of our brother's and sister's safety, who are suffering in captivity. It's a genocide of our people."

Luisa took a breath, head inclined, contemplative.

"Nayaraq. Come."

Luisa observed as the omega searched her alpha's face with those watchful eyes, and the realization set in. And even still, without missing a beat, Yara stepped forward, carrying herself with the calm confidence that she shouldn't have. But Louisa saw the panic in the girl's eyes; Louisa knew her great-niece well enough. A charming girl, and one she cared for, but didn't trust - disposable, too.

And Louisa knew well that there was something of an insult in her selection to the Manon pack; that she would send a half-blind omega, only an adult by a few years with the Manon's selection. Regardless, Yara was good with people and irritatingly sure of herself - and so Louisa was fairly sure she'd be alright. The alpha raised her chin in a challenge, almost, gesturing that Keir was free to speak. She made no attempt to hide her patronization, and even dared a small, haughty smile.