An Uneasy Accord

Chapter 37 - Loup Garou

The third pot of coffee brewed through the cheap motel coffeemaker as the files and photos were scattered about the narrow rectangular table. Brooklyn poured over the old drawings and notes accumulated over the centuries, hoping to find a way to stop the Argents dead in their tracks. With Kate now in the fold it was going to make tracking the Alpha that much more difficult for her and Derek.

The last time she looked up at the clock ancient timekeeper read four fifteen but the hunter always had a habit for losing track of time when she delved into research. She knew Argent was French for silver so she started with old French legends or myths that may provide a clue. Most would write such things off as simple fairy tales to keep the village youth in line but for those such as Brooklyn, the stories were as real as the stories of Jamestown or Salem.

The thick aroma of Arabica settled in the air, alerting the sleepy hunter her pick me up was ready. She poured the delicate brew into the cheap Styrofoam cup letting the ribbons of steam caffeine and Arabica awaken her senses. Derek had taken off somewhere and Brooklyn didn't expect the werewolf to be her babysitter 24/7. The marks on her back were fading further still, part in thanks to the little fact she was Derek's mate.

Letting a loud sigh exhale from her lungs, her eyes returned to the book patiently waiting for her return. Brooklyn rubbed her eyes then looked back down at the open pages.

"Alright here we go," she put her reading glasses back on and started at the middle of the page.

Loup-garou

One legend that continues to survive to the modern era is that of the Beast of Gevaudan. Beginning in 1764 as series of unexplained animal attacks ravaged the countryside of the Gevaudan province of France, more specifically the Margeride Mountains. The victims would be found with their throats slashed as if with claws or teeth. Many tried and failed to track down the creature responsible for the attacks, including the Army, huntsmen, conscripted workers, and several nobles. But King Louis XV, having received news of the ruthless attacks, dispatched one of his personal guards to kill the creature. By then the number of dead was pushing 100 and the villages around the province were paralyzed by fear and suspicion.

Many harbored suspicion towards their neighbors creating an atmosphere of hysteria amongst the towns. The king's guard arrived in 1765 with his son along with several bloodhounds to sniff out the beast. It was the time of the Winter Solstice.

Brooklyn paused and took a drink. She had heard of this legend before but it was in passing. Every hunter had been told some version or another of this story but then again they all knew it wasn't something devised from a creative imagination. The hunter sighed and continued on.

The hunter continued for several weeks, finding wolves but none that could walk upon two legs. It wasn't until the full moon of January 1765 that the loup-garou met its violent end. The guard returned to Paris amidst a grand parade and adoration of the people. The king was so pleased he bestowed the man with a generous estate, ensuring the Argent family could continue to keep the people safe.

"Well at least I know how they got their wealth," she shut the book with disgust. A thump from outside the window made Brooklyn shoot her head up. She grabbed her gun and quietly padded across the carpet. The hunter carefully drew back the corner of the curtain, scanning the tiny but vacant lot only to see her car parked out there. Brooklyn began to let the curtain slip from her fingers when a shadowy figure darted beneath the closest street light. It was too small to be the Alpha but it didn't mean she was about to let her guard down.

Closing the door behind her, Brooklyn darted in between the shadows, never letting her target leave her sight. Whoever it was was doing a decent job at staying concealed.