Page 28 of A Roar for Magic

...maybe. Just don’t get all smug about it.

An hour later, Rook sat in his grandmother’s study with the pride’s most respected elders. Ilaria’s eyes blazed with fury as she examined the corrupted herbs. George and Luis, both former commanders and generals, exchanged grim looks.

“Hudson’s fingerprints are all over this,” George growled. “And Justus thinks he can use it to challenge your position.”

“Let them try.” Ilaria’s voice could have frozen fire. “My grandson is alpha not just by birth, but by right of blood and power. Anyone who questions that can answer to me. Hudson is stupid, and Justus knows he’s no alpha.”

“We’ll handle Justus and his supporters,” Luis promised, his aged face hardening with determination. “The old families respect tradition – they’ll listen when we remind them why the alpha bloodline matters.”

“Focus on the spa,” Ilaria told Rook. “Show them you can protect both the pride’s interests and the family business. We’ll deal with the political maneuvering.”

“And Hudson?” Banner asked.

“Watch him,” George advised. “Gather evidence. When you move against him, make it decisive.”

Rook nodded, his tiger settling slightly at having a plan. His phone buzzed one more time – another message from Clover:Don’t worry about the medicinal tinctures and scents. I’m already working on helping you through Weaver’s Botanicals. And whatever’s going on, remember you don’t have to handle it alone. I know some pretty effective hexes for people who deserve them.

Despite everything, his lips curved. His tiger practically purred.

“That smile,” Ilaria observed shrewdly. “The witch?”

“She’s offering to hex my enemies.”

“I really like Clover,” his grandmother declared. “Now go. Get your spa secured and your business protected. Let us old tigers remind everyone why challenging your claim as alpha is a very, very bad idea.”

As they left the study, Banner glanced at him. “You know this isn’t over.”

“No,” Rook agreed, thinking of corrupted herbs and whispered challenges. “But they’re about to learn why my father chose me as his heir. In business and in the pride.”

His phone lit up again:P.S. Poe says he knows some creative curses too. But he wants extra treats for those.

This time, Rook laughed out loud. Even in the middle of pride politics and business sabotage, she managed to make him smile. His tiger rumbled contentedly. Let Hudson and Justus plot – they had no idea what they were up against.

Especially once his little witch got involved.

EIGHTEEN

Clover’s fingers traced the blackened marks outside Spellbound Lights, the residual magic prickling against her skin like static electricity. Her magic recoiled at the dark energy woven into the scorch pattern – something corrupt and twisted lurked beneath the surface.

“What’s the verdict?” Poe hopped closer, his head tilting to examine the marks. “More aspiring pyromancers with too much time on their hands?”

“No.” Clover frowned, recognizing the faint signature of tiger magic. “This is deliberate. Targeted.” She pulled out her phone to document the pattern, adding to her growing collection of similar marks from the past week.

“Maybe they hate your autumn spice candles?” Poe suggested helpfully. “I mean, pumpkin everything is a bit much?—”

“Your commentary, as always, is invaluable.” Clover snapped another photo. “If you don’t behave, I’ll change your food to that brand you don’t like. Why don’t you go annoy some neighborhood kids?”

“And miss your brooding detective routine? Never.” The crow preened his feathers.

“Oh great, more paranormal graffiti.” Halle crouched beside Clover, her amber eyes narrowed at the blackened marks marring the sidewalk. “Though I have to admit, the spiral pattern shows artistic flair. Should we add it to our shop’s aesthetic?”

“Yes, because nothing says ‘buy our relaxation candles’ like mysterious scorched concrete,” Poe chimed in from his perch on the shop’s sign. “We could call it our new ‘Definitely Not Cursed’ collection.”

Clover ignored them both, focusing on the residual magic that made her skin prickle. The tiger energy signature twisted through the marks like dark lightning, corrupted and wrong. But she forced herself to examine it closer.

“At least, it’s not as bad as the time you tried to enhance those protection candles and turned everything in the shop temporarily invisible,” Halle mused, pulling out her phone to document the marks. “Including me. Do you know how hard it is to serve customers when they can’t see you?”

“That only lasted an hour,” Clover protested.

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