Page 47 of A Roar for Magic

“You’re right.” Lane nodded seriously. “Much better to be like you – alone and bitter, with only your reflection for company. Oh wait, never mind. Even your reflection probably gets tired of hearing you talk.”

Ilaria’s voice cracked through the room. “Enough! You forget yourself, Hudson. The alpha’s mate is sacred?—”

“Even when it threatens everything my father built?” Hudson turned to address the pride. “Look at our legacy crumbling. The formula leak, the machinery?—”

“The fact that you can’t get a date,” Banner muttered.

“—who will take responsibility?”

“I’ve known Clover since she was knee-high.” Elder George’s weathered face creased with disapproval. “That girl once spent three days straight brewing healing potions during the winter flu outbreak. Didn’t sleep, barely ate, just kept working until everyone recovered.”

“And you blind yourself to weakness,” Justus countered. “Our bloodlines?—”

“Could use some fresh perspective,” Elder Luis cut in. “Or have you forgotten the Northern Ridge Pride? They got so obsessed with pure bloodlines, they ended up with a generation that couldn’t shift without getting stuck halfway. Poor Bradley spent six months with a tail before they figured out how to fix it.”

The arguments exploded, voices overlapping in chaos. Sabine defended Clover’s character while Lane made increasingly creative comments about Hudson’s lack of social life. Azella tried reasoning with Hudson, who spoke over her, listing every business setback since Rook’s return.

“Five bucks says Keelan’s head actually explodes,” Clover whispered. “Look at that vein in his forehead. It’s practically doing the Macarena.”

TWENTY-EIGHT

Rook’s tiger had finally had enough. Power gathered in his chest, and he released it in a roar that shook the rafters. Silence fell instantly.

He rose slowly, letting his alpha energy fill the room. Several of Justus’s supporters took involuntary steps back.

“If anyone else wishes to question my mate choice,” his voice carried deadly calm, “step forward now.”

No one moved.

“No?” He surveyed the room. “Then let me be clear. Clover is my mate. This is not a debate. This is not a negotiation. Any disrespect toward her will be treated as a direct challenge to my authority. Are we understood?”

Keelan shifted from foot to foot, unsure. “But the pride’s future?—”

“The pride’s future is my responsibility.” Rook’s gaze pinned him in place. “A responsibility I take seriously. Which is why I’m implementing a mentorship program – matching successful pride members with those seeking guidance. We will grow stronger together, combining traditional values with innovation.”

“Pretty words.” Hudson stepped forward. “But actions speak louder. Under your leadership, our secrets spill like water. Perhaps it’s time for change. Someone who wouldn’t let sentiment cloud their judgment. Someone who wouldn’t take aweakwitch for?—”

A blast of green energy sent Hudson flying. He hit the back wall with a satisfying thud, sliding to the floor in an undignified heap.

Clover stood, magic dancing around her like emerald lightning. She was stunning and dangerous. The fire in her eyes was pure energy. “Sorry, what was that aboutweakwitches? I was distracted by how pathetic you look sprawled on the floor.”

Hudson scrambled up, face red. “How dare you?—”

“Oh, honey.” She smiled sweetly, the flames in her eyes flaring brighter. “I dare plenty. But you’re right about one thing – action does speak louder than words. Which is why Rook and I developed the perfect signature scent for the med spa. Something revolutionary. Something that will change the industry forever.”

Her magic coiled around her like a living thing. “Of course, a real businessman would have created his own formula instead of stealing others’ work. But I suppose not everyone can be as brilliant as my man. I mean, have you seen him? My mate? Brain like a steel trap, muscles like a Greek god, and he actually knows how to coordinate his accessories.”

Hudson’s face darkened further. Rook had a hard time keeping himself from grinning at her over-the-top compliments.

“Not to mention his leadership skills.” Clover continued cheerfully. “Did you know he negotiated three international contracts last week? In different languages? While also designing new security protocols and rescuing a kitten from a tree?”

Lane coughed to hide his laughter.

“And don’t even get me started on his business acumen.” She sighed dramatically. “The way he analyzes market trends... absolutely brilliant. Why, just yesterday he predicted the exact time it would rain. And then made it rain. Because he’s just that impressive.”

“This is ridiculous—” Hudson sputtered.

“Oh, and he can bench press a car. While doing calculus. In his head. Backward.” Clover beamed at Hudson. “But please, tell us more about how you think you could do better. We could all use a good laugh.”

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