Hearts Eclipsed: A Beautiful Nightmare Companion Novel

by L. C. Son

  “No, but I know of him. I know all about Dalcour Marchand, his treacherous brother and their evil deeds. Wasn’t it you and your brother who hunted families of the Prime Pack into near extinction?” Jackson shouts with a daring wicked glare. “But now, look at you, with Dunes puppies at your side. Now let my wife go!” Jackson demands.

  “You’re wife? Huh? That’s funny because if I recall, wasn’t it you who cheated on this beautiful woman the day before your wedding? So I don’t think that makes her your wife. Besides, how could my lady be your wife?” I retort with an unwavering smirk. “However, if I recall my histories, you are from the Nashoba pack of primes. Am I correct? The same pack that was too chicken to stand unified with the other packs and fight. Who, instead, hid among the villages of men? That’s right, your ancestors fled from my brother and me on all fours. But you should know, he never bought your disappearing act—he only ended his raid at my request—so I guess you owe me!”

  “I owe you nothing! Now let Damina go!” Jackson’s eyes narrow as he shouts once more. His eyes are locked on me and Damina and I know he wants to snatch her from my grasp, but he’s hesitant and rightfully so.

  “How do you know who Dal is, Jackson?” Damina questions.

  “Dal?” Jackson says through gritted teeth. Good. He didn’t like that. I can’t help how happy his discomfort makes me. His eyes flash brightly once more at Damina’s admission, but he closes them quickly and swallows the thick air in his throat. “Once I found out where you were and who you had been with it was easy to figure out the rest. But, Damina, these people aren’t who you think they are. They aren’t what you think they are.”

  “And you are? Jackson just ten minutes ago, I thought you were just my cheating ex—and now I’ve learned you are a wolf? I mean that’s not something you just omit when you’re planning to marry someone. So, what? When was I going to find out? When I had your first litter? At the next full moon? When Jackson?” Damina shouts back.

  “No, Damina, it’s not like that. I was going to tell you—” Jackson pleads.

  He’s pathetic, and she’s certainly better off.

  “More lies, Beautiful. All he has is more lies. Let’s see he’s had, what, almost five years to tell you the truth, but he doesn’t until now. Because he’s a liar, Damina! And just like a Nashoba—big and bad in name only but when it gets tough all they do is hide,” I scoff. He’s almost making this too easy.

  “I don’t know about my ancestors, but I can tell you that I’m not hiding anything right now! Listen Damina, he’s not what he seems. He’s not just an Altr—”

  I know he wants to tell her of our Fated lineage. I haven’t been able to share that with her yet, but I won’t let him get ahead of me. I must stop him in his tracks. Now.

  “No worries, Nashoba! Unlike you, I didn’t cut my name in half to hide my identity. She knows exactly who and what I am. She has already seen my face!” I say as I step out of the shadows in the direct sunlight as the passing clouds now reveal the sun. Jackson’s mouth gapes open at my confession and he ambles backward as a look of horror frowns upon his face.

  The room erupts in a series of gasps at my admission. Even Braelyn, Mark and Brian look at one another shocked by my revelation as I maintain my stance in the sun.

  Damina, however, isn’t impressed. I know she’s not happy with my reveal, especially after I asked her to keep my newfound state between us two. She knows exactly my aim, and she’s not happy. Thankfully, Jackson still seems to be the focus of her rage.

  Jackson clears his throat and saunters around the room with his hands in his pockets before turning to face us once more. This time, he wears his assurance in full stride. He’s not going to go down easy.

  Well, I guess the mutt has got a brazen brass pair after all.

  “Well, you see that’s funny, Marchand. You say she’s seen your face, but maybe that’s because she doesn’t know everything. I mean, you certainly play the part well, with your entourage of vampires and baby wolves—”

  “Puppies!” The large one scoffs gruffly, moving closer to Jackson’s side. Mark and Brian both stare at them but keep their cool as Jackson glares at them sharply.

  “Exactly! However, Gregory we must remember they are still our kin—so I’m more than willing to exercise some degree of control. But, as for you, Marchand—does Damina really know who you are? Did you compel these gentlemen to be at your side or do they willingly submit to you?” Jackson haughtily questions.

  “No one makes us do anything!” Brian barks back at Jackson. His nostrils flare and his eyes grow wide with rage, but he holds his place at my side.

  “Now, see, that’s good to know. I’m glad it was your choice to make,” Jackson says in a demeaning tone, patting Brian’s shoulder. “Although I do have to wonder if Damina was afforded such a choice. Then again, Marchand, you can read my mind—what am I about to say? Well, for the benefit of all of us non-mind readers in the room, please tell us, have you been reading her mind the entire time, or did you just compel her and make her fall for you?” Jackson contends with a grimaced sneer.

  I lunge at Jackson, but Mark jumps in front of me, holding me back. I almost have to wonder whether Mark is protecting me or Jackson.

  “What? Dalcour, what is Jack talking about? You can read my mind?” Damina asks, curiosity filling her face.

  “It’s not how he’s trying to make it seem, Beautiful, I assure you,” I reply refuting Jackson’s claim.

  “Really Marchand? Because the stories I’ve been told all speak of the seducing Marchand brothers. Roaming from town to town luring women from their families, compelling kings out of their treasuries, and willing governments into their submission. How is this any different?” Jackson retorts in a daring stance, goading me to react.

  “Dalcour, is this true? Have you been reading my mind this entire time?”

  “It’s not what you think, Damina.”

  “Then what is it, exactly? Because now that I think of it, I’ve been blurting things out that I wouldn’t normally say and confessing things way more than I’m comfortable. You always seem to anticipate what I need even before I ask. I thought we were just in sync, but all this time you’ve been—”

  “No, Beautiful! Don’t let him twist this around! Can’t you see what he’s doing? He’s trying to keep you from the truth. He’s been keeping you from the truth—and for years! Now, in an act of desperation he throws accusations around so that you won’t confront the one fact he refuses to admit; why he never told you the truth!”

  “But you’ve been reading my mind? Compelling me to do what you want? I thought what we had was real! And Jackson, I thought we were ready to unite as husband and wife. I was wrong. I was wrong about both of you. Neither of you deserves me,” Damina lashes out, glaring at us both in disgust.

  Jackson continues to beg and plead his case, but his unrelenting plea goes unforgiven and I almost feel sorry for him. Almost. But I must admit, I slightly admire his relentless tenacity.

  In his final act of desperation, he races across the room and holds Damina’s face firm and everything in me bucks. Time sits in slow motion as he releases the Altrinion orb of her father to her and reveals her hidden truth.

  My heart sinks to the pit of my being as Jackson exposes her father’s wishes for him to be not only her protector, but her covering—her husband. Her everything. Not only that, but she is a Duacin—of an equally high Altrinion branch like me. Unlike me, her father wanted better for her—someone better than a wretched Altrinion-vampire like me. And he commissioned Jackson to be the one to care for her in such a way.

  A chain of mixed emotions flood Damina’s entire being and she looks at me and we both know—everything has changed. All I know is this: my love for her remains. I just hope she feels the same.

  Chapter 24

  Jackson

  Seeing Damina free-fall from t
he eighth floor of the hostel wreaked havoc in my heart with a relentless pain. Weak to almost near death, it took everything in me to show her the Altrinion orb from her father. As excruciating as it was to endure, I would go to death’s door as many times as needed to prove my endearing love for her.

  Dalcour’s screams as she glided through the air were almost as agonizing to watch. If he is indeed Fated as she I know her departure was tormenting to watch. Why I feel any sympathy for the one who seeks to take from me the only love I’ve ever known is beyond me. I suppose the truth is simply that I understand.

  Neither Dalcour nor have any words left to say. There are no words capable of describing our pain.

  “Jackson,” Gregory says tapping me on the shoulder, trying to break the forming face-off between me and Dalcour. “We should get out of here. I just got a notification from the hotel. They’re ready for us.”

  “Good job, Gregory,” I reply over my shoulder as I keep my sights on Dalcour. No matter how I may empathize with his pain; I still don’t trust him. “Shawn, get Tye and let’s head out.”

  “Got it!” Shawn answers.

  “Dacari, let’s get your things,” Gregory says turning to Dacari. Her face is still frozen from watching her cousin fly out of the window. She’s obviously in shock. I can only imagine how she must feel.

  “Get your hands off me, jerk!” Dacari yells, pushing Gregory away.

  “It’s okay, Dacari. Let us get you back to Delia,” I softly reply.

  “I am not my cousin; Jack and I don’t need your help!” She snaps back.

  Gregory pulls her hand, and she shoves his shoulder. Brian jumps in between them and growls at Gregory. Both men’s fangs hang from their mouth as their chests swell and their stance stiffens. I suppose Gregory had a right to be worried about this guy when he first saw him outside of the mansion.

  “Dudes!” The vamp girl screams with bubbly sarcasm. “She’s a lady, not some shiny little toy for you to claim as your own. Maybe that’s something all of you should think about—perhaps neither of these gals want you brawling on their behalf. How about just ask them what it is they want? Ha! What a novel idea! Dacari, dear, would you like to go with me? Vonnie is waiting for us downstairs with a car.”

  Dacari shakes her head in agreement and heads off with the goth-vamp girl. Even though I should keep a watchful eye on Dacari for Damina’s sake, I think it’s best to let her go on her own accord.

  As they exit, the goth-vamp turns around and smiles, “See how that’s done boys?”

  Gregory, Shawn, and I leave shortly afterward with Tye and head to the hotel.

  “Hey Jack-O, Dacari mentioned Damina has a big show at the mansion tomorrow,” Gregory says.

  “Good to know. I guess I better go get a new suit. Gotta look the part when I get my girl back.”

  Dalcour

  “Are you okay, Big D?” Mark turns and asks.

  As much as I want to reply, I cannot. I have nothing to say. With Damina gone, the pulsating of my heart subsides, and I feel numb all over. I can only hope she will return to me, but after what Jackson showed her, I am no longer convinced.

  “She will return, my lord,” Brian quietly says, placing a firm hold at my shoulder. His reaction to everything surprises me. Just the other day he fought me as a foe, and now he regards me his ally. I’m not sure what changed between us, but I am thankful for his sentiment.

  A smile is all I have to offer in return and both he and Mark return the gesture.

  Still, I refuse any more sympathetic overtures. And while the beast within no longer holds sway over me, I am still a force and I still take pleasure in reminding anyone just who I am.

  But this time I am the one who needs the refresher.

  “Mark, contact Cedric and have him and Lux come by and square this place up. Can’t have my city torn apart by savages,” I laugh, knowing I’m referring to myself. Mostly.

  Climbing to the window’s ledge, I take in a deep breath and enjoy the lingering presence of Damina’s sweet scent. As I do, a newfound hope wells within me and a small surge in my heart strengthens.

  “My lord, what are you doing?” Brian calls to me with a worried glare.

  “No worries, B,” Mark begins, “I think the big guy just needs to let off a little steam.” Mark bright smile is reassuring as he pats Brian’s back.

  “I’ll meet you all at the mansion. I just need a little drift.”

  “And what of Damina?” Brian asks.

  “As long as her cousin is with us, I know she’ll return.”

  “How can you be so certain?”

  “Because I can feel it in my heart,” I reply, and take my dive in the cloudy afternoon sky.

  Chapter 25

  Jackson

  All my life I’ve always played it safe. I’ve never been one to color outside the lines. In my upbringing, protecting the ones you love meant staying on the straight and narrow and avoiding confrontation wherever possible.

  My father always said, “A good man starts few fights, but wins them all.” That is exactly what I plan to do tonight. I plan to win it all. First, however, I need to pick a fight.

  It’s not my proudest moment, but I know it is near suicide to go headfirst into the lion’s den when the lion is on the prowl. So the first thing I need to do is throw him off my scent.

  Our contacts in Louisiana informed us there have been several hotspots popping up. While I know it’s likely due to Damina’s presence, tonight I’ll use the illusion of these occurrences as a diversion. I need to get Marchand out of the mansion long enough for me to talk with Damina. Although I had every intent to barge straight through the front door, Gregory talked me off the fence.

  “How do I look?” I ask Gregory and Shawn.

  Both men smile admiringly. I think they’re genuinely happy to see my spirit lifted. After arriving at the hotel, we paid a serviceman handsomely for me to use the basement laundry room for a quick and proper phasing. I was still wearing my last fight with Tye and the crew on my face and my unsightliness didn’t go unnoticed by her.

  “You clean up rather good,” Shawn says warmly.

  “Thank you,” I reply.

  “Well, you had better woo your lady love—especially since you’re sending me out as bait!” Shawn states.

  “Aww, don’t be such a wuss, Shawn,” Gregory teases. “You only need to make it look like a break in—just long enough to draw Marchand and his gang out.”

  “I know—I know,” Shawn snips.

  “I do appreciate it, Shawn. Gregory, you gotta keep watch too. Even though Marchand might vacate the property, I doubt he’ll leave Damina for long. If nothing else, I’m confident he’ll leave his wolves behind to keep her and Dacari safe,” I add.

  “His wolves—too easy!” Gregory laughs.

  “Do not underestimate them, Gregory!” I shout back. “They may be young Dunes, but that alpha has prime blood in him. He’s a Beta. He’s stronger than the rest. Though I doubt he knows just how strong he is, we shouldn’t take him for granted.”

  Gregory nods in agreement and we leave for the mansion and Shawn sets toward the Civility Center.

  We arrive at the mansion at the same time a few small wolf packs as the humans depart. Shawn calls and informs us that Marchand fell for the bait and he and his team conduct their search. I ask him to stay until he confirms their departure, if possible.

  Meanwhile, I make my way through the mansion, working hard not to be too obvious to the young wolves partying with their alpha. Gregory finds Mark near the DJ table and nudges him for a favor.

  Then I see her.

  She’s adorned in a lovely red gown; a color I’ve always known would suit her. Just staring at her from behind soothes the trepidation of my heart and I once again, I’m falling in love.

  I’m happy to see her alone. I’m al
so proud of her.

  Earlier today, I spent time researching this revitalization project and proposals provided. I even saw a digital composite she designed for not only this home, but several others in the Garden District. I’ve always known she was talented, but her skill is unrivaled. Though I’m happy she got to do something she’s always wanted to do, it just pains me that she must do so under such circumstances.

  The wind carries Damina’s inviting fragrance to me and it is heaven. As Mark cues, “Everything,” by Lifehouse at my request, I know it’s now or never.

  “Hey babe,” I say softly, taking pleasure in watching her posture twitch at my call. “You look beautiful. I always knew red was your color,” I add with a broad smile to match as she turns to face me.

  “What—what are you doing here? I thought you left.” Damina whispers over her shoulder, as she digs her heels into the ground, attempting to dampen my pull.

  “No. Gregory found us something a tad better than the hostel. Baby, I would never leave like that. We have a lot to discuss.”

  “Jack, you shouldn’t be here.”

  “This is exactly where I belong. With you. I should’ve never let you leave that night. I should have told you the truth a long time ago. I’ve made a lot of mistakes. You aren’t one of them. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me and I’m not gonna let what we have slip away.”

  “Jack, you’re right we need to talk—like how did you show my father to me? Why were you so drained afterwards?”

  “Damina, baby we can talk about that later,” I respond. I don’t know how much time we have.

  “No, Jackson. I need to know. You owe me that much.” Damina is right, she deserves to hear the truth from me.

  “You’re right. I do owe you. Do you remember how odd I acted on our drive home from our wedding shower?”

  “Yeah, but what does that have to do with anything.”