A Roar for Magic (Mystic Hollow #2)

Chapter 26

TWENTY-SIX

F or the next hour, they compared techniques. Rook demonstrated his scientific approach—precise measurements, controlled variables, extensive testing protocols. Clover watched with genuine interest, asking intelligent questions about molecular structures and binding agents.

Then she showed him her method. Where his work relied on exactness, hers flowed like a dance. She chose ingredients by scent and feel, letting magic guide her hands. She brought some of the Weaver’s Botanicals they’d agreed upon. A pinch of dried herbs here, three drops of essence there, all accompanied by soft spells that made the mixtures shimmer and swirl.

“It’s beautiful,” he murmured, watching her work. She glowed with quiet confidence, completely in her element.

“It’s different,” she corrected. “Not better or worse than your way. Just different.” She added a sprinkle of something that smelled like starlight. “That’s why I think combining our methods works so well. Balance the precision with intuition.”

“Like us?” The words slipped out before he could stop them.

Her hands stilled. “Like us.”

The air thickened with possibility. Rook stepped closer, drawn by the soft look in her eyes. “Clover?—”

Lane burst in without knocking. “Uncle Rook! Did you see the latest—oh.” He grinned at their proximity. “Bad time?”

Rook’s tiger snarled in frustration. “What do you want, Lane?”

“Just thought you should know Hudson’s people are sniffing around our suppliers. More backed out this morning.” Lane’s gaze kept drifting to Clover. “We could really use some of that Weaver magic to help shore up contracts.”

“She’s busy.” Rook moved slightly in front of Clover, blocking Lane’s view. His tiger refused to share her attention.

“I can speak for myself, you know.” Clover nudged him aside. “What kind of help do you need, Lane?”

“Don’t encourage him,” Rook muttered.

She ignored him. “Maybe we could create protection amulets for the loyal suppliers? Something to shield them from magical coercion?”

Lane beamed. “That’s brilliant! I could help distribute them, maybe take you to lunch to discuss details?—”

A warning growl cut him off. Lane backed up, hands raised. “Or not! Just a suggestion. I’ll go... somewhere else now.”

“Smart boy.” Rook waited until Lane fled before turning to Clover. “You shouldn’t encourage him.”

“Aww, is someone jealous?” She traced his jaw with gentle fingers. “He’s harmless.”

“He’s interested in you.”

“Too bad I’m interested in someone else.” She rose on tiptoes to kiss his cheek. “Someone growly and possessive who really needs to work on his coffee selection.”

His tiger melted. How did she do that? Defuse his anger with a touch, a smile, a teasing word?

But before he could kiss her properly, Banner appeared in the doorway. “Sorry to interrupt, but we have a problem. Keelan’s called an emergency pride meeting. He’s demanding you explain your relationship with a witch.”

Rook tensed. His tiger rose, bristling at the challenge. “When?”

“Tonight. He’s gathered support from some of the older families.” Banner’s expression darkened. “Justus’s people are involved.”

“Of course, they are.” Rook pulled out his phone to check his calendar.

“Go.” Clover squeezed his hand. “This is important. I’ll work on the formulas and we can catch up later.”

“No.” His voice came out sharper than intended. Softer, he added, “Stay. Please. You’re my mate—they need to accept that.”

She stilled. “Rook...”

“I know we’re taking things slow. I’m not trying to pressure you.” He cupped her face, needing her to understand. “But you’re it for me, Clover. They need to accept it.”

Her magic surged, wrapping around him like a caress. “Okay.”

“Okay?”

“Okay, I’ll stay.” She smiled up at him, bright and beautiful. “Someone has to keep you from terrorizing the whole pride.”

His tiger practically purred. He pressed his forehead to hers, breathing in their mingled scents. “Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me yet. We still need to create that trap formula for Hudson.”

Right. The fake scent to catch his uncle’s sabotage. Rook straightened, though he kept one hand at the small of her back. “Banner, spread the word. Pride meeting tonight. Anyone who has concerns about my mate choice can address them directly.”

“And if they challenge you?”

Rook’s smile showed teeth. “Then I’ll remind them why I’m alpha.”

“Drama queen,” Clover muttered. But she leaned into his side, solid and sure.

They spent the next few hours crafting the perfect bait for Hudson. Clover wove tracking spells through the formula while Rook added enough scientific validity to make it tempting. Their magics danced together, tiger energy and earth magic creating something unique.

“There.” Clover sealed the vial with a final spell. The liquid inside shimmered like captured moonlight. “That should do it. As soon as someone tries to copy or modify it, we’ll know.”

“What exactly happens then?” Rook examined the deceptively beautiful mixture.

Her grin turned wicked. “Let’s just say Hudson might want to invest in some anti-frizz products. And possibly a good dry cleaner.”

“Remind me never to get on your bad side.”

“Too late for that.” But she softened the words with a kiss that made his tiger purr. “Though you’re making up for it.”

A throat cleared. They turned to find Lane hovering awkwardly. “Uh, sorry, but... you really need to see this.”

He held out his tablet. On the screen, a press release announced Phoenix Pharmaceuticals’ new partnership with Arcane Aesthetics—one of the biggest names in magical beauty products.

“They’re planning to open a competing spa,” Lane explained. “Using formulas suspiciously similar to ours.”

Rook’s tiger roared with fury. But Clover’s touch kept him grounded.

“Hey.” She turned his face to hers. “We’ll stop him. The trap is set, and what we’re creating is better than anything he could steal.” Her confidence steadied him. “Trust me?”

“Without a doubt.”

“Besides,” she added with a mischievous smile, “I’d pay good money to see Hudson with rainbow-colored hair.”

Despite everything, Rook laughed. His mate was brilliant and fierce and absolutely perfect.

Now they just had to prove it to the pride.