Page 3 of A Roar for Magic

“I was building to my good material!”

“Whoever she is,” Justus cut in, his voice sharp with disapproval, “I hope she understands proper pride protocol. We can’t have outsiders disrupting established hierarchies.”

Something in Rook’s chest tightened at the implied threat. His tiger rose closer to the surface, suddenly protective of a woman they hadn’t even met.

“Sometimes disruption is exactly what a pride needs,” Ilaria said mildly, but her eyes held steel as she regarded Justus. “Fresh perspectives keep us from stagnating.”

Before Justus could respond, Mrs. Fontain appeared with tea service and an array of small cakes. “Perhaps refreshments before the family dinner?” she suggested, her tone making it less a question than a diplomatic intervention.

“Excellent idea.” Ilaria settled back into her chair. “Rook, tell me about this spa project of yours. I hear you’ve acquired quite a bit of land near Crystal Creek.”

Grateful for the subject change, Rook outlined his plans while they enjoyed tea and cakes. The spa would combine traditional healing methods with modern luxury, taking advantage of the ley line convergence to enhance their therapeutic treatments. His tiger, however, kept circling back to thoughts of herb magic and green eyes.

“Ambitious,” Justus commented, his tone making it unclear whether he meant it as a compliment or criticism. “Though perhaps too modern for our traditional clientele.”

“The pride needs to evolve,” Hudson’s smooth voice came from the doorway as he joined them. “Though some of us have different visions of what that evolution should look like.”

The temperature in the solarium seemed to drop several degrees. Even the chess pieces stopped their bickering. Rook’s tiger recognized the subtle challenge in his other uncle’s words, even as his human side maintained a calm facade.

“Speaking of evolution,” Sabine said brightly, clearly trying to diffuse the tension, “did I mention my friend also makes these amazing enchanted candles? They’re absolutely revolutionary?—”

“Sabine.” Rook pinched the bridge of his nose, but his protest lacked real heat.

“What? I’m just saying, she’s got this incredible talent for blending traditional magic with innovation. Sound familiar?” She gave him a pointed look. “And she’s completely gorgeous, but that’s just a bonus.”

“When was your last real date, anyway?” Lane chimed in. “And that disaster with the swan shifter doesn’t count.”

“That wasn’t?—”

“Dude, she sneezed herself into bird form because of your cologne. Pretty sure that counts as a disaster.”

“Are you finished?”

“Not even close.” Lane grinned. “Did you tell them how she?—”

A clock chimed somewhere in the mansion, its deep tones reverberating through the solarium. Ilaria set her teacup aside with a decisive click.

“Speaking of dinner,” she said, her tone shifting to something more serious, “we have important matters to discuss tonight. The entire pride’s inner circle will be here.”

The atmosphere tensed again. Hudson’s smile didn’t quite reach his eyes as he studied Rook. “Indeed. Some announcements are worth getting worked up over, wouldn’t you say, Mother?”

“All in good time.” Ilaria rose, effectively dismissing everyone. “For now, I suggest we all prepare for dinner. Rook, do try to look presentable. First impressions matter... especially these days.”

Something in her tone made both Rook and his tiger pay attention. There was more happening here than just family dinner and matchmaking attempts.

Banner clapped him on the shoulder as they headed upstairs. “Look on the bright side. Between your grandmother’s mysterious announcements, your uncles’ politics, and this mystery woman of Sabine’s, at least the evening won’t be boring.”

“When did my life become a cosmic joke?”

“Buddy,” Banner grinned, “it’s Mystic Hollow. Everything’s a cosmic joke here.”

Looking at his once-again pink-tinged car through the window—apparently the Mystic Moment’s effects hadn’t completely worn off—Rook couldn’t argue with that. He’d returned to launch a spa and check on his grandmother, not navigate pride politics and mysterious women.

His tiger, oddly enough, seemed perfectly fine with all of it. More than fine, actually. The beast prowled restlessly beneath his skin, eager for dinner in a way that had nothing to do with food.

Something was shifting in Mystic Hollow; Rook could feel it in the air.

But for the first time in years, both his human and tiger sides were equally curious to find out.

---