The convoy rolled into the venue lot with sirens in the distance and flashing lights that weren’t part of the show.
Not this time.
They’d barely made it out of the bus when the paparazzi horde descended like jackals — news vans stacked up, phones live-streaming, selfie sticks swinging like swords, boom mics overhead like vultures.
“Is it true Gabriel’s being investigated for improper conduct with fans?!”
“Mark, what about those allegations from your old tour manager?!”
“Do werewolves even HAVE human rights in most states?!”
That one earned a growl from all three wolves. Fans nearby gasped.
The rest of the band froze behind the barricade — Jonah wide-eyed, Maya already cracking her knuckles. Diesel stepped off the bus and just sighed, jaw flexing as he bit a toothpick with all the menace of a cigarette.
Then… silence.
Thane stepped forward.
The crowd parted like prey sensing an alpha.
Shoulders squared. Black polo immaculate. Ice-blue eyes slicing through the sea of lenses like lasers. Clawed hands flexed once at his sides — not threatening. Just real.
“Enough.”
One word. But it hit hard.
“We didn’t come here to make headlines. We came to make music.
And if you want a story? Here’s the truth.”
He glanced at Gabriel, who stepped forward — ears forward, tail still, voice calm but steady:
“I was raised by a man who taught me how to play bass. A man who taught me what integrity looks like. I’ve spent my entire life fighting to earn what I have — not through scandal. Through work. Through heart.”
Maya, arms crossed:
“Every single one of us bleeds for this. And none of us are here to babysit your gossip blogs.”
Rico:
“We’re loud, sure. We’re messy. But we show up. We give back. We’re not here to be perfect. We’re here to be real.”
Cassie:
“You want controversy? Try caring about your fans. Try using your platform to make someone feel less alone instead of making clicks off their tears.”
Mark? Didn’t say a word. Just leveled the hardest, most grizzled stare imaginable into the nearest camera — the kind that said “You wanna test me, son?”
The crowd faltered. Some cameras lowered. Some livestreams… ended.
And Thane finished it:
“We’re not hiding. We’re not ashamed. And we’re not backing down.
You don’t own us. We belong to each other.
And that’s something no headline will ever break.”
Silence.
Then… the fans behind the barrier? ERUPTED.
Cheers. Screams. Chants of “FERAL! FERAL! FERAL!”
The camera crews? Drowned out.
Gabriel stepped back into the pack, brushing claws with Thane. Not a show. Just quiet solidarity.
Maya flipped the nearest camera the bird with a wink.
Cassie grabbed a fan’s mic and snarled, “Now THAT’S a quote, bitch.” before handing it back with a grin.
Back inside, Diesel just shook his head as the doors closed behind them.
“That was a damn firing squad.”
Thane smirked.
“They missed.”