The elevator chimed as it opened onto the penthouse floor of the La Luxure Grand, the most opulent hotel within a hundred miles. Thick cream-colored carpet muffled the footfalls of the band and crew—well, except for Thane’s clawed toes clicking across the tile as they made their way toward Suite 1402. The doorman had barely opened the door when Gabriel bounded past with a wolfish grin.
“Thane, look!” he shouted, spinning into the living room and collapsing onto an enormous L-shaped sectional wrapped in deep blue velvet. “This couch is bigger than our bus!”
Thane walked in behind him and just stared, blinking. “This suite has a grand piano.”
Diesel strolled in next with an appreciative whistle. “Who do I gotta bite to get one of these every week?”
Within minutes, everyone had scattered to explore the full three-bedroom, two-balcony palace. One side overlooked the glittering skyline; the other revealed a resort-style pool with glowing fountains and a swim-up bar. Jonah immediately declared one of the bathtubs as his and began filling it with both hot water and complimentary bath bombs. (“Don’t judge me,” he muttered. “My soul needs healing.”)
Cassie was already checking out the minibar, calling out flavors of chocolate truffles like it was a wine list. Maya, clearly impressed but pretending not to be, threw open a robe closet and held one up.
“If anyone posts a pic of me in one of these, I will end you,” she warned. Then five minutes later, she was on the balcony in full robe, sipping champagne like a queen.
Rico kicked back in a leather armchair with a drink, scrolling through his phone. “#Mallgate is trending. Someone got a video of Jonah doing a full parkour vault over the Wetzel’s Pretzels cart.”
“I tripped!” Jonah shouted from his bath cave. “It was tactical falling!”
Thane padded into the master bedroom, where Gabriel had flopped onto a mattress that had more layers than a lasagna. “Are we allowed to keep this bed?”
Gabriel stretched luxuriously, icy eyes half-lidded. “Let’s never leave.”
Thane chuckled, pulling off his shirt and tossing it onto a velvet bench. “Pretty sure the hotel wouldn’t survive two werewolves full-time. One of us would try to install fog machines in the lobby.”
Gabriel smirked, turning his head. “Not me. I’d just build a coffee bar next to the minibar. Priorities, my wolf.”
Meanwhile, Emily was curled up in a corner armchair with her laptop, editing footage from the mall incident. She kept trying to focus, but every few minutes one of the crew burst into laughter somewhere in the suite.
Mark, ever the quiet observer, finally wandered over, a glass of sparkling water in hand. “You’re gonna post it?”
Emily hesitated, then smiled. “Yeah. But I’m cutting it so the fans see how much fun we were having. Not just the chaos.”
Mark gave her a rare, approving nod. “Smart. The truth and the myth.”
Later that night, the whole crew gathered in the massive living room. Robes, sweats, pajamas, and clawed feet everywhere. Champagne flutes clinked. Feet were propped on furniture that cost more than Jonah’s drum kit. Outside, the city sparkled.
“I could get used to this,” Maya said, swirling her glass.
Thane gave a soft grunt of agreement and glanced at Gabriel, who was nestled against his side with his cheek resting on Thane’s shoulder.
“You earned it,” Thane said simply. “All of you. I just wanted… one night where it’s clear how far we’ve come.”
Gabriel’s claws slipped into his. “And we’re not done yet.”
Diesel raised his glass from a corner. “To the pack. To the music. And to never setting foot in another shopping mall without a battle plan.”
Everyone laughed.