Page 56 of A Roar for Magic

“We should prepare for tonight,” she said eventually, though she made no move to pull away from his touch. “I’ll need to gather enough energy to make the tracking spell visible to everyone.”

“Are you sure you’re strong enough?”

“I will be.” She met his concerned gaze steadily. “Especially with you there to help ground me.”

His tiger energy purred at that, pleased by her trust and willingness to lean on his strength. “Always.”

They spent the next few hours planning, Clover slowly rebuilding her magical reserves while Rook coordinated with Banner and Weston. As evening approached, nervous anticipation buzzed under her skin.

“Ready?” Rook asked as they prepared to leave. His hand rested at the small of her back, warm and steadying.

Clover smoothed down her dress—deep emerald silk that made her eyes spark with power. A gift from Romi, who insistedshe needed to look spectacular for her “triumphant return.” Her magic hummed through her veins, eager to be unleashed.

“Ready to watch Hudson crash and burn? Absolutely.”

The pride meeting hall thrummed with tension when they arrived. Hudson stood near the front, practically strutting as he displayed a crystal vial that made Clover’s magic bristle with recognition. Their formula was twisted and corrupted by his tampering.

Ilaria sat in her place of honor, outwardly serene but with thunder in her eyes. The other elders lined the walls, their expressions ranging from skepticism to outright hostility as Hudson began his presentation.

“My fellow pride members,” Hudson’s voice dripped with false sincerity. “Tonight marks a new chapter in our illustrious history. This revolutionary formula—” he held up the vial with flourish, “—represents the perfect fusion of science and magic. Something my dear nephew clearly lacks the vision to achieve.”

Rook’s tiger energy rippled with controlled fury, but he remained still. Waiting.

“While some would have us dilute our strength with... outside influences,” Hudson continued, shooting a pointed look at where Justus sat, “I have created something purely ours. Something that will restore our pride to its rightful place of power and prestige.”

“Wow,” Clover said loudly, stepping into the light. “You really do love the sound of your own voice, don’t you?”

The room fell silent. Hudson’s face drained of color as he spun toward her voice. “You—you’re supposed to be?—”

“Dead?” She smiled sweetly. “Sorry to disappoint. Though I have to say, your attempt at copying our formula was impressive in its audacity. Not so much in its execution.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Hudson sputtered. “This is my original work?—”

“Really?” Clover’s magic surged through her veins as she began weaving the tracking spell. Green light spiraled from her fingers, wrapping around the vial in his hands. “Then you won’t mind if I trace its magical signature? After all, every creator leaves their mark.”

The light pulsed, forming a glowing trail that led directly back to Rook’s lab. But Clover didn’t stop there. She pushed deeper, letting her magic reveal the formula’s true nature.

“Let’s see... base notes clearly sourced from Rook’s original research. Middle notes showing my magical signature—though you tried very hard to mask those, didn’t you? And oh, what’s this?” She tilted her head, magic flaring brighter. “Attempts to replicate my protection spells with cheap substitutes? Really, Hudson. Even a first-year witch knows you can’t fake that kind of magical resonance.”

Gasps and murmurs filled the room as the evidence of theft became undeniable. Hudson’s face mottled with rage.

“This is ridiculous,” he snapped. “Obviously a setup?—”

“The only thing obvious here,” Banner called out, “is your complete lack of originality.”

“Or basic decency,” Weston added.

“Not to mention common sense,” Lane chimed in. “I mean, seriously? You tried to steal a formula protected by both science and magic? That’s like trying to outrun a cheetah while wearing cement shoes.”

Sabine stepped forward, her expression fierce. “You’ve brought shame to our family, Uncle Hudson. Not just with your theft, but with your pathetic attempts to undermine Rook’s leadership.”

“Leadership?” Hudson sneered. “He’s destroying everything our pride stands for, consorting with witches?—”

“Oh, honey.” Clover’s laugh held no humor. “Is that really the road you want to go down? Because we can talk about pridevalues all day long. Like loyalty, which you clearly know nothing about. Or innovation, which you have to steal because you can’t create it yourself. Or maybe we should discuss strength?” Her magic crackled with green lightning. “Because I’ve got to tell you, from where I’m standing? You’re looking pretty weak.”

“How dare you?—”

“No, how dare you.” All pretense of sweetness vanished from her voice. “You think you can judge Rook’s leadership? A man who puts his pride’s welfare above his own comfort? Who works tirelessly to build something meaningful while you scheme in the shadows?”

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