Gabriel was still trembling, pressed so close to Thane it was like they’d been fused at the ribs. His tail hung low, ears pinned back, claws twitching with lingering nerves. Even his fur seemed puffed out with adrenaline, and his usually cocky swagger was nowhere to be seen.
Thane didn’t say a word as they walked, just kept one arm around his packmate’s back and the other gripping Gabriel’s duffel. Every time someone looked at them funny in the terminal, he shot them a glare so fierce even the most curious fans backed off immediately.
Outside, the humid Oklahoma air hit like a blanket soaked in nostalgia and jet lag. It was early evening, the sun casting long shadows over the pickup zone — and there, like a vision from a long-forgotten road trip dream, stood their old friend Diesel.
He leaned against the side of the tour bus, arms crossed, toothpick in his mouth and aviators reflecting the chaos of baggage carts and honking taxis. And then he whistled — a sound so loud, so sharp, it cut through the airport noise like a blade.
The whole pack snapped their heads up.
“There’s my favorite wolves!” Diesel called, his grin wide enough to rival the bus itself. “Y’all look like you went to Europe, played a million shows, and nearly got arrested.”
“We did,” Jonah said flatly, dragging his suitcase behind him.
Everyone filed into the waiting bus, one by one offering Diesel the kind of hug you give family. Even Mark, grumbling something about “too many damn hours in the air,” clapped the man’s back with rare affection.
Gabriel lingered at the bottom step, eyes still a little glassy. Diesel looked him over, then nodded solemnly.
“You good, pup?”
Gabriel gave a tiny nod. “Almost went to jail.”
“Yeah, well.” Diesel tilted his head. “If you hadn’t, I’d be disappointed. C’mon. Bus is cold. Snacks are stocked. And I’m parked illegally, so let’s move it.”
Gabriel finally cracked a shaky grin and bounded up into the doorway, still not letting go of Thane’s paw.
The doors hissed shut. The engine rumbled. And as Diesel pulled out of the chaos of Will Rogers World Airport and onto the open highway toward Edmond, the tension slowly melted from every shoulder and muzzle.
They were home.
And they were never getting on another plane again.