Page 16 of A Roar for Magic

“Clover—”

“I’ve got this.” She squeezed Sabine’s hand. “Go. Keep the peace. We both know how the elders get when they’re kept waiting.”

The spring air carried hints of cherry blossoms and awakening magic as Clover hurried back to Spellbound Lights. Behind the shop, she found exactly what Poe had described—deep claw marks gouged into the stone foundation, radiating traces of unfamiliar shifter magic.

“I don’t think this is anyone from Rook’s pride,” she murmured, extending her magical senses. The residual energy felt wrong—angry and volatile, nothing like the contained power she associated with the Western Mountain Pride.

“Maybe. Maybe not,” Poe said from his perch on a nearby crate. “Three different signatures. Strong ones.”

Clover’s jaw set. “I need to talk to Rook.”

EIGHT

The Katz Corp warehouse stood on the edge of town, its sleek modern architecture a stark contrast to Mystic Hollow’s whimsical charm. Unlike the other buildings in the area, this one hummed with subtle protective magic—wards and enchantments woven into its very foundation. Clover could feel them reaching out to assess her as she approached, recognizing her magical signature and allowing her to pass.

She found Rook in the loading bay, surrounded by damaged equipment. Sleek machines bearing the Katz Corp logo sat with their casings warped and dented, scattered around him like wounded soldiers. He looked up at her approach, and something in his expression made her breath catch—pleasure at seeing her warring with concern as he registered her mood.

“Clover,” her name rumbled from deep in his chest, “is everything all right?”

“There are claw marks behind my shop. At first, they look like tiger marks. But when I inspect them with deeper magic, I noticed they’re mountain lion created.” She crossed her arms, trying to ignore how his voice seemed to resonate with something wild and wanting inside her. “Know anything about that?”

Rook’s casual stance shifted, power rippling beneath his surface like storm clouds gathering. “Show me.”

“I think we both know what’s happening here.” She stepped closer, refusing to be intimidated by his imposing presence. “These are connected to your warehouse break-ins, aren’t they?”

Before he could answer, a low chuckle echoed through the loading bay. “Clever witch.”

Three figures melted from the shadows—mountain lion shifters, their predatory grace unmistakable. Their leader, a tall man with cold eyes, smiled without warmth. “Though you might be too clever for your own good.”

“This is private property.” Rook’s voice dropped to a dangerous rumble that should not have sent such delicious shivers down her spine. “Leave. Now.”

“Or what?” The second shifter circled left while the third moved right, trying to flank them. “You’ll sic your pet witch on us?”

Clover’s magic crackled beneath her skin. “I don’t need anyone to sic me on you.”

The lead mountain lion’s smile widened. “Prove it.”

That’s when shit hit the fan and everything exploded into motion. The shifters launched their attack in perfect coordination, but Clover was already moving. Green light blazed from her hands as she threw up a barrier spell, catching one mid-leap and sending him crashing into a stack of crates. The second shifter dodged, only to meet Rook’s partially transformed fist.

The fight turned brutal and beautiful. The mountain lions shifted fully, tawny fur rippling as they attacked with fang and claw. Rook met their leader’s charge with a transformation that stole Clover’s breath—one moment he stood in his impeccable suit, the next a massive tiger with midnight-striped fur filledthe warehouse. His roar shook the metal walls and rattled something primal in her chest.

Clover had never seen anything like it. He moved with impossible grace, raw power contained in fluid motion. His tiger form batted the mountain lion leader aside like a toy, following with a pounce that pinned the larger cat beneath massive paws. Muscles rippled beneath striped fur as he held the struggling shifter down, and Clover found herself mesmerized by the display of controlled strength.

The other two shifters tried to help their leader, but Clover’s magic sang through the air. Enchanted vines erupted from the concrete floor, wrapping around one shifter’s legs while a blast of pure force sent the other stumbling backward. Her power harmonized with Rook’s in a way that felt both thrilling and somehow right, like finding the missing notes in a half-remembered song.

The lead mountain lion twisted free of Rook’s grip, but reinforcements had already arrived. Banner and another pride enforcer burst through the door, weapons drawn. The rogues, seeing they were outnumbered, fled into the gathering dusk.

“Chase them!” Rook ordered, his voice rough from the shift. He stood human again, his clothes perfectly intact thanks to his tiger’s magic. Only his slightly disheveled hair and the lingering amber in his eyes betrayed the recent battle.

Banner and his partner took off in pursuit, leaving Clover alone with a very intense, very attractive shifter who’d just demonstrated exactly why alphas commanded respect.

“Are you hurt?” Rook stepped closer, his gaze sweeping over her with concern that made her pulse jump.

“I’m fine.” She straightened her shoulders, trying to ignore how his proximity affected her. “Though I could have handled them myself.”

His lips curved. “I don’t doubt it. That vine trick was impressive.” He reached out, plucking a stray leaf from her hair. The casual touch sent sparks dancing along her skin. “But I prefer not to take chances with people I care about.”

“You barely know me.”

---