Eden's Charms by Jaclyn Tracey

on my flight? I never did check the second box I brought over.”
    “No, Eth. Been in town a while on business,” the man answered, stalking Raven with his eyes.
    “Donovan?” Raven barely got his name out. She turned to see if Jonah and Payton were near.
    André rubbed his eyes. “Donovan, as in the old guard at our estate in England last century? We haven’t heard hide nor hair of you in a lifetime, literally.”
    “Hello, Ray, André,” Donovan bowed before André showing an old respect for the man that came within minutes from being crowned King. “Jules, Jovan.” Donovan waved. “You two look the same. Savanah? Is that you? Wow! You grew up. You’re beautiful.”
    “Thank you.” Savanah fought a scowl. Every bone in her body screamed foul play. All that was missing was the spooky music that usually played when the nemesis entered a movie scene. Her family had all their negativities focused on the wrong guy. Ethan couldn’t hurt a fly. This new guy looked like he sprinkled them on his morning cereal and ate them in place of granola.
    “Hey—hold up. How come he can say you’re beautiful but if I say she is,” Ethan asked pointing a paw toward Savanah, “I get grief.”
    “Because we like him.” Jovan bit back. “And stay the hell away from my daughter.”
    Ethan glanced back toward Savanah. Not on your life.
    Savanah fanned her cheeks.

Chapter Four
    “Always the charmer, Eth.” Donovan turned to face the crowd. “You’re a tough lot to track down. Your sister-in-law’s birthing experience made national news. Raven, I felt a biting need to see you again. That little run in we had over the Christmas season wasn’t enough to hold me over for another hundred years.”
    Donovan laughed, but it lacked that warm friendly sonance. Savanah found nothing attractive about it or the man. Matter of fact, her sixth sense was trying to get the other five to listen. Without thinking twice she moved closer to Ethan.
    Raven mumbled, “This is awkward.”
    “Actually, Belle, I’d like to know why you never mentioned seeing him.” Jonah didn’t sound the least bit friendly as he, Payton and Molly entered the stables.
    Payton added, “I’d like to know why you don’t seem at all surprised to see him. He should have by all rights been dead, say nineteen seventy, and I’m being generous letting him live to be one hundred. Donovan, you look rather fit for your age.”
    “So do you, Dough boy,” Donovan chided. “How’s that whole werewolf lifestyle working for you?”
    Payton squared his shoulders toward the taller man. “I’ll let ya know firsthand the next full moon.” Payton licked his lips.
    “You’re quiet, Jonah,” Donovan prompted.
    “Ever hear the saying keeping your mouth closed keeps the flies in and the shit out? I don’t feel like feeding you right now, Vonnie.” Sarcasm all but dripped from Jonah’s lips.
    “Enough,” Raven snapped, “Can we deal with the mutt who wanted to kidnap me and my make-believe child first?”
    “Raven, he’s not going anywhere.” Jonah answered. “Neither are we.”
    “What makes you think I can’t get out of here?” Ethan barked back through his muzzle. “Just watch me!”
    André screamed and the room shook. “Later, I agree with my sister. Let’s deal with our new pet first.” Almost everyone shut up
    “Oh, I’m so not your pet.” The blond wolf panted, his tail nestled between his legs.
    André’s look said otherwise. His gaze stymied Ethan better than an anvil. “You will be whatever I want you to be. Or stuffed and mounted in our trophy room.”
    “Or stuffed and mounted in my trophy room,” Ethan mimicked.
    André took a step toward Ethan when Savanah got between them, her hands on her father’s shoulders to stop his progression.
    “I have a question first, Papa.”
    “Thanks, Pip.” Ethan added just before she did a backwards kick and clipped his breastbone. “Thanks a lot,” came out in a gasp.
    “How is it that a man