A Roar for Magic (Mystic Hollow #2)

Chapter 4

FOUR

R ook stood in his office overlooking the town square, staring out over Mystic Hollow’s enchanted village without really seeing it. His tiger paced restlessly beneath his skin, still vibrating from this morning’s encounter at Spellbound Lights. The beast had recognized something in Clover Weaver the moment they’d locked eyes—something that made every instinct roar to life with a primal certainty.

Mate.

“No,” Rook muttered, pressing his forehead against the cool glass. He didn’t have time for mate bonds, not with everything else demanding his attention. But his tiger refused to let the memory fade: Clover’s emerald eyes sparking with irritation as she’d fixed his clumsy mess, that subtle lavender-and-lightning scent that clung to her skin, the way her magic had reached for him despite her obvious wariness...

A knock interrupted his brooding. Banner entered without waiting for a response because best friends apparently didn’t need permission. “You’re thinking about her again.”

“I’m thinking about the pride meeting.”

“Right. And I’m secretly a unicorn shifter.” Banner dropped into one of the leather chairs, propping his feet on Rook’s immaculate desk. “Come on, man. I saw your face when you came back from that shop. Your tiger practically had hearts in his eyes.”

“My tiger needs to focus on more important things.” But even as he said it, the beast rebelled, pushing images of Clover to the forefront of his mind. The graceful way she’d moved between the shelves. The hint of a smile she’d tried to hide when her assistant made a ridiculous comment. The flash of power in her eyes when she’d contained the magical chaos he’d caused...

“Earth to Rook.” Banner’s voice carried equal parts amusement and concern. “The pride meeting starts in twenty minutes. You might want to stop daydreaming about your witch and prepare to face the wolves. Metaphorically speaking.”

Rook straightened his tie, forcing his mind back to business. “Who’s confirmed for attendance?”

“The usual suspects are all assembling,” Banner reported. “The majority of the elders arrived early—they’ve always been loyal to your father. Even elders living at a distance came down from the mountains. Your mother and grandmother are already inside, working the room.” He paused, expression darkening slightly. “And Justus’s old crowd is gathering in the corners, looking shifty. Pun intended.”

“Fantastic.” Rook’s tiger growled at the mention of his uncle’s former allies. “Any word from Hudson?”

“He’ll be there. Looking smug, I’m sure.” Banner’s casual tone hardened slightly. “Lane’s got eyes on him. If he tries anything during the meeting...”

“He won’t. Not openly.” Rook gathered the paperwork for the medical spa project, trying to ignore how the scent of corrupted formulas still clung to the pages from Hudson’s “gift” the day before. “He prefers to work from the shadows.”

“Like a proper villain.” Banner stood, stretching. “Speaking of Lane, he wanted me to ask about the witch?—”

A warning growl escaped before Rook could stop it. His tiger surged forward, bristling at the mere thought of Lane anywhere near Clover.

“Whoa.” Banner held up his hands, grinning. “Down, boy. I’ll tell him to back off. Though you might want to do something about those possessive instincts before the meeting. Hard to look dignified when you’re snarling at anyone who mentions a certain candle shop owner.”

Rook forced his tiger back under control, but the beast’s agitation lingered. Ever since that moment in Spellbound Lights when Clover’s magic had brushed against his, something fundamental had shifted inside him. The same power that made him the pride’s true alpha—the legacy passed down through generations of Katz leaders—now pushed him toward her with equal insistence.

Mine , his tiger insisted. Mine .

“Let’s go.” Rook strode toward the door, his friend falling into step beside him. “Before I do something stupid like go back to that shop.”

The Western Mountain Pride’s grand lodge rose from the heart of Mystic Hollow like a testament to shifter architecture—ancient stone and enchanted wood blending seamlessly with modern elements. Magic hummed through its very foundations, responding to the power of so many shifters gathered in one place. All supernatural groups had their own meeting places, but the pride’s was by far the largest with them being part of the original group who settled Mystic Hollow.

Ilaria waited at the entrance, elegant as ever in a silk suit that somehow managed to look both regal and battle-ready. “There’s my alpha grandson.” She kissed his cheek, then fixed him with that penetrating stare that had terrorized five generations of shifters. “I trust you’re ready to remind everyone why the Katz family has led this pride for centuries?”

“I’m ready to get this over with.”

“Mm.” Her knowing smile suggested she saw right through him. “And how was your visit to Spellbound Lights this morning?”

Rook’s tiger perked up traitorously. “Grandmother...”

“What? Can’t I take an interest in my grandson’s love life?”

“I don’t have a love life.”

“Not yet.” She patted his arm. “But I can smell her scent all over you, and I haven’t seen your tiger this restless since you were a cub. You’ve got that same look your grandfather had when he first caught my scent.” Her eyes twinkled. “The tiger knows, dear one.”

Before Rook could protest, Azella emerged from the lodge. His mother’s presence immediately soothed some of his irritation—she’d always had that effect, even when he was a cub. “The elders are assembled. And, darling?” Her lips curved in a slight smile. “Do try not to growl at everyone who questions you. It’s not very professional.”

Inside, the lodge’s great hall hummed with tense energy. Carved wooden seats arranged in a semicircle faced the alpha’s chair—a throne-like piece of enchanted oak that had watched over pride gatherings for generations. Ancient tapestries depicting shifter history lined the walls, their enchanted threads shifting and moving in an endless dance of past glory.

Sabine appeared at his elbow, her honey-blonde hair styled in its usual elegant waves. “Ready to show these old tigers what real leadership looks like, big brother?”

“Sabine—”

“Oh, please. I’ve watched you run Katz Corp since you were twenty-two. These stuffed shirts don’t stand a chance.” She smoothed an invisible wrinkle from his jacket. “Though you might want to work on your small talk. I heard about the candle shop incident.”

Was there anyone in his family who hadn’t heard about that?

Elder George’s bright orange eyes caught his attention from across the room. He nodded subtly—a promise of support. Beside him, Banner’s sharp gaze surveyed the gathered crowd, no doubt cataloging potential threats. More allies gathered near the front: Captain Juno Waterfall, whose enforcers kept peace in Mystic Hollow; Elder Luis Ruben, whose loyalty to the Katz family spanned generations and whose strategic mind had helped build Katz Corp’s empire.

“Showtime,” Banner murmured as the last members filed in.

Rook approached the alpha’s chair, his tiger rising closer to the surface with each step. Power thrummed through his blood—the same power that had chosen him as heir and had made his father and grandfather legendary leaders. He’d spent years avoiding this responsibility, focusing on business instead of pride politics. But as he took his place before the gathered shifters, something clicked into place inside him.

This was his destiny. His birthright. And anyone who challenged that was about to learn exactly why the Katz family had guided this pride for generations.

“Members of the Western Mountain Pride,” he began, his voice carrying easily through the hall. “We have much to discuss.”

Power rippled through the great hall as Rook took his place before the pride. The enchanted oak of the alpha’s chair hummed beneath his touch, responding to his bloodline. Ancient magic recognized ancient right, even if some members of his pride seemed to have forgotten.

“For generations,” he began, his voice carrying the authority that came naturally to Katz alphas, “the Western Mountain Pride has thrived through adaptation and growth. We’ve balanced tradition with progress, strength with wisdom.”

“And corporate profits?” The challenge came from Gerard Maxwell, one of Justus’s most vocal supporters. The older tiger’s gray-streaked hair did nothing to diminish his imposing presence. “Some of us remember when pride leadership meant more than quarterly earnings reports.”

Rook’s tiger surged forward, bristling at the disrespect, but he kept his voice steady. “You mean like when my father expanded our territory while building Katz Corp into an empire that employs ninety percent of the pride? Or perhaps you’re thinking of my grandfather, who modernized our investments while maintaining the strongest pride alliances in three centuries?”

A low murmur of approval rippled through his supporters. Luis Ruben spoke up, his deep voice carrying the weight of experience. “The Katz family has always understood that true strength comes from providing for the pride. Young Rook has proven himself a worthy heir to that legacy.”

“Through absentee leadership?” Hudson’s smooth voice dripped with false concern. “Dear, nephew, no one questions your business acumen. But an alpha needs to be present, engaged with pride matters. Not running off to... what was it? A candle shop?”

Rook’s beast roared at the implied insult to both his leadership and his interest in Clover, but Banner’s steady presence at his right hand helped him maintain control.

“Interesting timing for your concern about engagement, Hudson.” Azella’s cool voice cut through the tension. “I don’t recall you objecting when Rook’s business ventures quadrupled the pride’s investment portfolio.”

“Or when his international contracts opened new territories for our hunters,” Yenni Ruben added. “My cubs eat well thanks to those corporate connections you’re so quick to criticize.”

The Hunter twins, David and Daniel, moved to flank Rook’s position. Though younger than many of the gathered elders, their fighting prowess and unwavering loyalty to the Katz family made them formidable allies. “Perhaps,” David suggested with deceptive mildness, “some of our members need a more... physical reminder of why Rook is our alpha.”

“That won’t be necessary.” Rook let a hint of fang show in his smile. “Though I appreciate the offer.”