NOTE: ELOISE'S OG NAME WAS ELOISE, FOR A WHILE IT WAS CHANGED TO VIVIENNE, BUT I DECIDED TO CHANGE IT BACK. I HAVE CHANGED IT IN *MOST* OF THE STORY

chapter seventy-eight
the maid of gevaudan

━━━━༺❀༻━━━━

Dear Marie-Jeanne and Eloise,

I wish I had better news to report. But even with the support of our Indian allies, we are losing this war to the British. We have heard news that Montreal has fallen. Marcel and I has both suffered injuries. All that keeps us alive is the hope of seeing our home again, and of seeing you both, my sisters.

"That letter would eventually find its way into the hands of two young women." Gerard Argent explained to Lydia Martin and Jordan Parrish. "A skilled hunter who would later face the Beast armed with nothing but a steel-tipped pike. And her little sister, later to be cursed by the same fate as the Beast himself." The Martin girl tilted her head as she listened to the story told to her by her late friends grandfather. "Only one of them, would be known by history as the Maid of Gevaudan."Gerard held up a journal, opening up the front page. Lydia leaned over, "But their real names were Marie-Jeanne and Eloise."

Sure enough, the first page on the book was a letter to Marie-Jeanne, from Eloise herself.

Jordan looked at the textbook next to it, "Maybe someone should resurrect them." He commented as he turned away.

"Don't leave." Said Lydia.

The Hellhound turned towards the girl, "My dreams aren't like yours, Lydia. I'm not just a harbinger of death. I'm the cause of it."

Lydia moved from the table as he walked away, "Jordan-"

"Let him go."

Lydia turned towards Gerard and Chris. "Why?" She asked with knitted brows.

"Because as much as we believe Parrish could take on the Beast, neither of us think he's our only hope at stopping it." Chris told the girl simply.

Lydia frowned. "What do you mean?"

"We think there's another."

Gerard took a few steps closer, looking at the red-headed girl. "You and Kennedy."

༺❀༻

Kennedy opened the school doors, helping Hayden and Stiles get an injured Liam inside. The sound of the Beasts roars and students screaming caused them to rush into a near by classroom. "The desk!" Kennedy pointed as Hayden and Stiles lead the boy in. Liam screamed in pain as Stiles shoved everything off the surface, laying Liam down on to it.

"I'm okay. I'm fine." Liam grunted out. Hayden and Stiles pulled at the ripped jersey, Kennedy peering over at Liam's wounds. Hayden gasps, scrunching her face while Stiles gags. "What? Is it bad?"

"No."

"Very."

"Could be worse."

Hayden, Stiles, and Kennedy all look at each other. Hayden tried to clear her thoughts, "Okay. What do you guys usually do when this happens?" She asked the other couple.

"Oh, I usually pass out. And I think I still might do that." Stiles mumbled as Kennedy pulled back another piece of clawed fabric.

Kennedy looked up, "Stiles!" She scolded. She looked down, "Scott does this thing with pain. He could trigger it. Pain makes you human."

"He's already in pain."

"Right, okay, but maybe adding a little more could help take away the pain." Stiles explained. Kennedy jumped when Liam sat up, screaming. Kennedy grabbed Stiles's wrist, pulling him back as Hayden pressed her lips on Liam's. The Hale girl looked towards Stiles, shrugging as if saying that was a solid option. Black veins were on Hayden's face. After a moment, they pulled away from each other and Liam laid back breathing heavily. "Okay, next time I'll kiss him," Stiles mumbled sarcastically.

Kennedy looked between everyone. "I have to find Malia," Kennedy said as she looked up. "I have to go find Malia."

Stiles grabbed his girlfriends wrist. "Do I need to remind you you don't have werewolf abilities right now? You are extremely, extremely human." He exasperated, his brown eyes blown wide with anxiety and worry.

Kennedy shook her head. "Stiles, that's my sister. I have to find her." She looked back at Liam and Hayden. "Please, stay here. I'll be back with Malia. Okay?" Kennedy's hands cupped Stiles's face. Her lips pressed to his, but not long enough for Stiles to be satisfied. "I'll be right back!" The Stilinski moves to say something, but stutters when she flings out the door.

༺❀༻

"Marie-Jeanne was a lot like you, Lydia." Gerard told the Martin as she looked at the pages about Marie. "Skeptical of her own abilities. And once, actually, just as skeptical of the supernatural."

"What about her sister?" Asked Lydia. "And why isn't she in any of these?"

Gerard smirked. "We'll get to that,"

It was France, 1764. A young girl no older than eighteen danced around a small tavern with a man. She was giggling as he spun her in circles. Her eyes filled with innocence and joy as she swayed and sung. Her long brown hair cascaded down her back as she turned around, her smile faltering as an arrow shoots through the room, piercing a poster of La Bête. The girl frowned as she turned towards a table where a girl, a few years older, held a crossbow in one hand.

"Merci, Marie-Jeanne." Said the man named Rene. Marie-Jeanne gave a small smile, sliding her empty glass forward. The dancing girl excused herself, making her way towards the table. Marie-Jeanne was reading a letter, a letter from Sebastien.

"Don't forget me!" Chirped the dancing girl as she slid into the spot next to Marie-Jeanne. "Marie always does," She joked as she bumped the girl with her shoulder.

Rene chuckled as he filled up a second glass. "I'd never forget you, Eloise," Rene chimed. Eloise grinned from ear to ear, looking over at her sister, Marie-Jeanne, who she always called Marie. Eloise recognized the letter, her smile falling quickly. Rene looked down at the girls with a soft sad smile, "Don't give up hope."

Marie gave a closed mouth smile, nodding. Eloise, however, said nothing. She looked at her sister with an unamused stare. Marie pulled out a blade, causing Eloise to frown. "Be careful with that, you might hurt someone," She mumbled.

"Don't doubt me, sister," Marie said quietly. Both sisters smiled until a conversation was overheard by the both of them.

"Her name was Agnes. She was eleven-years-old." A man named Bernard explained to two other men. "Eleven. Torn limb from limb. There wasn't enough of her left for a proper burial."

A man named Tolbert leaned in, "I am well aware." Eloise looked at her sister, who continued slicing an apple as they both listened. "I'm also aware that every new report conflicts with the last." Eloise ran her fingers through her hair, looking over her shoulder as she listened. "Some say it is part hyena, part wolf. It has red fur, black fur, cloven hooves, a stripe down its back."

Rene shrugged as he stood next to the table. "We know it kills at night. It targets the head and neck. This we know for sure."

"It won't stop." Said Bernard. "Where the wolf finds a lamb, there he seeks another."

"But it never eats its victims. It kills for sport." Commented Rene.

Tolbert threw up a hand, "No animal kills for sport." He reasoned. Eloise wanted to say that men does. They hunt for sport, but she wasn't going to get involved with the conversation.

Bernard leaned in to the table. "This is no animal." Eloise looked down at the table, fiddling with the rim of her glass as Tolbert spoke.

Tolbert spoke with his hands, moving them as he rambled. "Tell that to the King. I have word he may send a contingent of his own professional hunters." He explained. Two figures walked into the tavern, neither Eloise or Marie looking back to see who it was. Marie cut her apple whilst Eloise played with her drink. "Until then, we can use volunteers for a hunting party. Especially, someone to lead it."

"Why ask for a volunteer?" A voice caused both girls to stop their movements. "We all know who the best hunters are in Gevaudan." Eloise swung her head around at the same time as her sister, amazed to see Sebastien standing in the tavern, smiling. "Marie-Jeanne and Eloise. My sisters."

"Bastard!" Marie choked out as she and Eloise rushed out of their seats. Sebastien opened up his arms, letting both girls jump into them as they laughed with relief and love. People in the tavern had similar words of joy. "Marcel, you are home!" Marie cheered as she hugged Sebastien's closest companion. Eloise could barely stay still, the youngest Valet bouncing on her toes as Marie pulled Sebastien along. Eloise wrapped her arms around Marcel, hugging the man tightly. As she pulled away, her lips pressed to his cheek with a soft smile.

Rene walked towards Marcel, holding up a key. "Good to have you back, Marcel."

Marcel still had an arm around Eloise's waist, "Don't worry, my friend. You still have a job." The two men chuckled as Eloise pulled away from Marcel completely, running towards her siblings. Sebastien laughed as he hugged his littlest sister, swaying her around.

Tolbert stood up, turning towards the siblings. "I am not going to argue with your brother, Marie-Jeanne." Eloise looked over, tilting her head. "What do you say?" Eloise couldn't help but grin as the tavern began to chant both sisters names.

Sebastien turned towards Marie, "Well? Will you heed their call?"

Eloise linked arms with her sister, "Come on, Marie," She whispered. There was a smile in the twinkle of Eloise's eyes. The innocence that still danced in them as she beamed brightly like the child she was.

However, Marie looked around, "I hunt animals. Not rumors." The girl stated. The entire tavern bursted into laughs. Eloise giggled, until the door to the tavern opened.

Everyone gasped in horror as a man walked in, carrying the body of a child. Eloise looked at her sister with horror in her eyes. The man's name was Henri Argent. The people began to clear off the closest table, letting the man place down the body. The boys lips were blue, and even from where Eloise stood she could see the blood staining his throat. Sebastian's arm around his youngest sister tightened protectively, pulling her toward him as if the monster they had spoken of would come after her next.

Rene stepped closer, his heart sinking to his stomach. "Emile?" Eloise's hand covered her mouth as Rene sunk to his knees, "Mon Dieu, my son." Eloise looked at her sister, who had a look of distraught on her face.

"I found him in the woods." Henri stated. Eloise looked up, "He whispered his last words to me."

"What were they?" Asked Tolbert.

Henri looked around the tavern, "La Bete." Eloise's arm wrapped tighter around Sebastien's. "The Beast."

The people began to whisper and murmur. Marie stared at the body, then her sister. Eloise's lips pursed shut, the young girl nodding. "Monsieur Tolbert," The attention was brought to the two sisters, with tear-filled eyes and rosy cheeks. "I do not know what creature did this. But the hunting party leaves at dawn." Said Marie-Jeanne, her voice stern and eager.

Lydia listened to Gerard tell the tale of the Valet siblings. "Why didn't he warn them?"

"He told his sisters about everything that they'd seen during the war." Gerard said matter-of-factly. "But like I said, Marie-Jeanne was a skeptic."

The Martin shook her head. "Valet," Chris looked at Lydia in confusion. "That's Kennedy's mothers name. Sloane Valet."

Gerard nodded, "Do you see why the Dread Doctors were so interested in your friend now?" He asked with an all too familiar smirk.

༺❀༻

Kennedy ran down the halls, listening to the roars of the Beast around her. Students and families running and screaming for their lives. Kennedy pushed through crowds, looking for Malia. She had to find Malia. There was nothing else on her mind. She squeezed her eyes shut in frustration. She couldn't smell anything. She couldn't hear anything. Not in the way she wanted to.

"Scott!" Kennedy yelled out, rounding a corner. "Malia!" Kennedy didn't know her sister was looking for her too. Hell, Kennedy didn't even know if any of her friends were alive. Kennedy sighed in frustration, pulling out her phone to call her mom.

No service.

Kennedy sighed in frustration, looking around once more. She was completely alone. She needed to find three things. A place to hide, a weapon, and a way to contact someone outside of the school. Kennedy heard the roar around her again, and the girl ran towards the locker rooms. Kennedy closed her eyes tightly, praying someone would hear her prayers.

And Lydia did.

The eldest Argent had gotten to the part where Marie had encountered the beast, Henri saving her life. Eloise had been running through the woods, lost, when she found Marcel. He had taken her out of harm's way. Lydia nearly lost her footing, a rush coming over her. "Something's happening." Lydia was quiet as she felt uneasy.

"Now?"

The girl looked up at Chris, "I don't know." She said as she looked around, trying to figure out what she had felt. "But something's wrong. I can't stay here."

Gerard spoke up, "You should hear the rest of the story."

Lydia looked at the eldest living Argent. "Why should I be listening to you?"

"He knows it better than any of us." Chris said to her with honesty.

Lydia rose a brow. "Everything I've read says that the Beast was killed by Jean Chastel." She told them both.

Gerard rose a surprised brow. "Who told you that? The Internet?" He asked her, "If that's your most reliable source of information, then you might as well go."

The banshee looked up at Chris, watching him shake his head. Something told Lydia this story was important to someone. Important to something about the Beast. "What happened next?"

"Henri brought Marie-Jeanne to his home. A place protected by a circle of Mountain Ash trees. Eloise had been taken to Marcel's residence. Waiting for a shout from her sister."

Eloise Valet stood in the doorway of Marcel's home. "I haven't been here in a long time," Eloise said with a quiet laugh. Marcel took off his coat, turning towards the girl. Eloise hummed, sliding off her cloak. She smiled giddily as his hand grazed her cheek.

"Your brother would have my head on a pike if he knew how much I loved you," Marcels voice was a hushed one, barely above a whisper. Eloise leaned into his palm, his warm touch comforting her fearful skin.

"Let him be mad." Eloise eyes opened as she looked up at him. "I love you, Marcel, and I want to be with you. I want to be wed, have a home, a family." She listed off as her hands linked with his. "I want to move away from this wretched town, move somewhere more beautiful and filled with lights and music."

Marcel's eyes filled with adoration for the naive girl. "You know I would do anything for you to have that life," He told her as his lips pressed to her forehead. Eloise leaned into it, her heart swelling at his words. "You are my soulmate, Eloise, and one day you will share my last name, and all the while we will run into the sunset, no matter what Sebastien says." Vivienne beamed at his words, her arms wrapping around his neck as she pulled him towards her.

Their lips pressed together like perfect puzzle pieces. Nothing could quite explain the fireworks in their bellies as their hands grazed every part of them. Marcel grinned into the kiss, his arms wrapping around her waist as he began to spin her around. Eloise squealed, clutching on to the man for dear life as he carried her to his room. Their lips joined together again, his hands running up and down her sides as he kicked his door shut with his foot.

༺❀༻

The roars of the Beast still shattered through the air as Kennedy ran through an empty hall. She spun around, panting. She couldn't find anyone. And she struggled following the sounds of the Beast. Kennedy held a lacrosse stick in hand, walking into a classroom.

A girl inside jumped in fear, sobbing. Kennedy stopped, eyes wide. The girl had been injured, a huge cut on the bottom of her leg. The Hale rushed over, "Hey, it's okay,"

"Okay? I was just cut by a-" The girl shook her head. "Whatever the hell that was," The girl had darker skin and brown eyes. She had long faded pink hair and was wearing jeans, a shirt of a band Kennedy had never heard of, and a jacket.

Kennedy exhaled through her nose, "I know. And we'll get you stitched up or whatever you need to do. But first I have to get you out of here." Kennedy went to stand up, freezing her movements as the girl grabbed her wrist.

"I won't need stitches," The girl said quietly. Kennedy frowned in confusion, her mouth parting in shock as the girls eyes turned yellow. "I'll heal," Kennedy almost couldn't believe it.

"You're supernatural" Kennedy whispered as she scoffed in surprise. The girl clamped her mouth shut, nodding. "Okay, cool, but we still need to get out of here." Kennedy turned her body so she could lift the stranger up. The girl groaned in pain. The pair hobbled towards the door, Kennedy reaching out for the handle. "I'm gonna need your name, by the way,"

The girl hissed in pain as Kennedy pulled her out into the hall. "Dani." She grunted out. She scrunched her face as she tried to form the rest of her words. "Danielle Tyler."

"Nice to meet you, Dani." Kennedy mumbled as they looked around at the sound of the roar. "Where did that come from?" Kennedy asked.

Dani looked around, "Head towards the library. The Alpha is heading that way."

Kennedy glanced at Dani with confused eyes. "You know about Scott?"

"I know about all of you," Danielle deadpanned as she looked over. "Now we better start walking because your Alpha is about to fight this thing." Kennedy sighed in desperation, walking faster.

Scott seemed to sense Kennedy was close. As he approached the library doors he turned around. The girl with red hair walked alongside a girl he hadn't seen before. He sighed in relief, taking a few strides over to hug Kennedy tightly.

When they pulled away, Kennedy looked at the girl with pink hair. "This is Dani. She's supernatural." She deadpanned as she looked back at Scott.

"Werecoyote," Dani followed with a straight face. His eyes widen in surprise.

"I don't know what I was expecting, but not that."

The three of them walked into the school's library, Scott and Dani still heaving in pain. The Beasts growls could be heard, even from afar. Kennedy sighed as she leaned onto the table, trying to catch her breath.

Scott looked around, nudging Kennedy. The Hale stood up straight, looking to her side. Sydney and another classmate huddled behind a bookshelf. Danielle followed their gaze, looking around the library. It was filled with hiding classmates. Lacrosse players and other people from the audience. There were at least twenty of them. Kennedy looked at Scott in realization. If the Beast comes into the library, Scott and now Dani would half to fight off the Beast. They would risk exposing themselves.

As the Beast bellowed another growl, Scot turned to the students. "Go upstairs!" He whisper-shouted.

Kennedy spun towards their new acquaintance. "Go with them, keep them from getting hurt. Easy enough?" Kennedy asked. The girl with pink hair nodded, following the students towards the upstairs portion of the library. Scott looked at Kennedy, seeing her eyes dilating in an unnatural way. He recognized it. From the night of the winter formal, sophomore year. The night Kennedy became a werewolf.

It was happening. Right here, right now.

Heavy footsteps approached the library. Scott looked towards the door, taking a stance. Kennedy felt sick to her stomach as she felt something in her shift. She felt like she had broken out of restraints. Restraints she had had for days. And now a side of her had resurfaced.

The doors to the library swung open. The Beast of Gevaudan roaring loudly. However, a new face had came into the picture. Kennedy Dawn Hale, with steel-blue eyes and fangs, roared back as she stood next to a red-eyed Scott.

༺❀༻

"Marie-Jeanne knew she and her sister couldn't just take out another hunting party armed with mistletoe and Rowan berries." Gerard Argent explained to Lydia Martin. "They needed an advantage. They needed to know her enemy."

Eloise Valet moved past her sister as the two of them placed down bottles onto the table surface in front of their brother. "To honor the dead." Marie said loudly, causing Marcel and Sebastien to look up. "I expect everyone to drink."

Marcel glanced at Eloise. He thought about the night he rescued her from the forest. He had done something. Something Sebastien would not forgive him for if he found out. But, as Eloise moved with a natural grace and beauty, Marcel couldn't help but remember the night they shared with entangled sheets and warm skin. Her hand grazed his arm, the fleeting touch causing his skin to turn pink.

Sebasiten helped pour glasses full of liquid. When they finished, Marie and Eloise held their own glasses, "To the dead." Sebastien called.

"To the dead!"

Eloise looked around. She watched as people took sips of their drinks with distasteful looks. But no real reactions that pointed to a werewolf. Eloise could almost laugh. How was she here, in a tavern, attempting to poison a man that could turn into a beast? It was something you'd only read in a novel.

Glass shattering caused everyone to look towards Marcel. Eloise's heart sank as he held a shattered glass in his hand. "Marcel."

"I have got him." Marie excused her brother as she rushed to the mans aid. "Come, Marcel. Out to the well." Eloise sent everyone polite smiles, rushing to follow her sister and the man she had laid with.

Eloise watched as Marie cleaned Marcel's wound with the water from the well. "Do you have any cloth? Something to wrap your hand?"

"Yes. In the cellar." Marcel pulled out a key, holding it out in front of both girls. Eloise looked at it for a moment, her eyes meeting Marcel's saddened ones. "You'll find what you're looking for in the cellar."

The youngest Valet took the key, looking towards Marie-Jeanne. The pair of sisters maid their way towards the side of the tavern. Marie stood next to her younger sister, "What do you believe is down there?" Marie asked quietly.

"Not cloth," Eloise said honestly, her head broken at the fact that Marcel, a man she secretly loved, was a beast. Eloise sunk to the snow-covered floor, unlocking the cellar with ease. Eloise made her way inside first, a lantern in hand. Marie followed close behind, the two of them holding hands. The cold air bit at Eloise's skin. She prayed this was all a bad dream. Marie grabbed Eloise, pulling her back harshly. Eloise gasped in surprise, the lantern shaking. "What was that, Marie?"

"Eloise," Marie choked out. The younger girl frowned, turning forwards. Her mouth parted in shock as she looked at what they had discovered.

Marcel was staring at the ground. He watched his blood stain the white snow. His heart was shattered, having no reason to try and run. "Marcel," Her voice caused him to look up. Marie-Jeanne had an arrow pointed at his chest. Eloise stood close behind her, eyes filled with tears. His heart yearned for her. The youngest Valet who was filled with love and light. There was no true life for him without Eloise by his side.

As Marcel stood, a tear rolled down Eloise's cheek as she watched the man she loved tilt his head towards her sister. "Go ahead. Release the arrow." Marie said nothing, stepping back as Marcel stepped forwards. "Do it, Marie-Jeanne." Eloise shook her head, her and her sister walking backwards. "Go ahead. Let the arrow fly." Eloise stayed farther away than Marie. She held onto a wall, staring at them with horror and sadness. "Release it, Marie-Jeanne. Please."

They were bodies. Piles of bodies in the cellar Eloise and Marie had wandered into. Eloise couldn't understand why anyone could do those things. Why had Marcel grabbed her the night he killed so many hunters? Eloise paused as she looked at Marcel. The night he had rescued her, the beast was still roaming the woods. After all, she had heard the Beast roar whilst she was in Marcel's home.

"Marie-Jeanne, stop," Eloise ran over, pushing Marie's crossbow away. Marcel looked at the youngest Valet with a look of shock. Her heartbroken eyes met his. She shook her head, "You're not the killer." She declared. Marcel averted his gaze. Marie's face fell in realization.

"You're covering for him." Marie-Jeanne said as she recalled what had happened. Marcel saw what was in the glass, and broke his to catch the attention of the Beast, who was in the Tavern. But Marcel was not as close to the other people in Gevaudan as he was the Valet's. Realization dawned on the sisters, both of them looking at each other and then the Tavern.

Sebastien Valet was the Beast of Gevaudan.

Marie had stepped back this time, creating distance between herself and Marcel. Eloise stood in front of him now, her stained glass eyes searching his. "How could you do this to me?" She asked softly. Her voice croaked like it was completely broken. Perhaps it was.

Marcel finally made eye contact with her again, his hand clutching his injured one. "Everything I did was to protect you, Eloise." He told her ever since softly. Eloise shook her head, her heart aching more than it ever had before. "I love you."

Tears rolled down her face as she raised her hand. Her fingertips tracing his face as she leaned in. A soft solemn kiss was pressed to Marcel's lips, his bloody hand reaching for her hip. The salty taste of tears mixed into their taste of each other. It dawned on Marcel that though his lie to Sebastien would have ruined their friendship, his lie for Sebastien had ruined his life.

Eloise finally pulled away. Her sad eyes meeting a sad smile on her lips. "Goodbye, Marcel." Was all she had left to say.

Marie-Jeanne and Eloise confronted their brother the moment they walked back into the Tavern. He avoided their gazes. Marie stared at him with disgust, but Eloise stared with grievance. She felt so much for her brother. The brother that took care of her. Now he was something different. Something evil.

"You have killed children."

Sebastian sighed, "I kill whatever dares to cross my path." He told his sisters. Eloise grabbed the table, her knuckles turning white.

"Why?"

"It's what I am. What I've become." Sebastien was different. He wasn't the same person Eloise remembered before the war. It was as if her brother died long ago. His eyes flickered between them both. "You've heard the old story of what happens when you drink rainwater from the paw print of a wolf. You become the Demon-Wolf." Eloise looked down, watching the tears soak into her green skirt. Marcel's blood that had stained her side. She couldn't believe it. Her brother was a werewolf. A creature of the night. Marie-Jeanne kept a strong face, unlike Eloise. She looked to her left, looking at the poster of La Bête on the wall. "Go ahead. Tell them it's me." Eloise looked up, watching Sebastien smirk. "Then watch me tear them apart in a matter of moments. Every last soul in this place."

Marie-Jeanne's eyes were now glossy. "You are a monster." She whispered as she glared.

Sebastien shook his head. "Beast, Marie-Jeanne. The Beast." Eloise balled her hands into fists as their older brother stood. The girls tensed up as he leaned down between them, whispering in their ears. "You won't catch me. And you won't kill me." Marie-Jeanne looked at him for a moment. Eloise said nothing, flinching as he wiped away her tear. "We're family, sisters." Eloise squeezed her eyes shut, feeling Sebastien's lips on her forehead. Marie-Jeanne didn't move as he did the same thing to her. "We're family."

The skeptic became a full believer that night. The sisters stood side by side as they watched their own brother walking into the darkness. So, Marie-Jeanne and her sister went back to Henri to figure out how to kill both a Beast and a brother.

Marie-Jeanne placed her weapons down, looking at Henri with an expectant look. Eloise had been writing in a journal, one she had for many years. Henri shook his head. "One bullet may not be enough. We need something that cuts deeper."

"A sword? An axe?" Marie questioned. Eloise stood up, walking towards the table.

"Something that uses the weight of the Beast against itself." Henri turned away from the sisters. Eloise held her journal close to her chest, reaching out for Marie-Jeanne's hand.

Eloise smiled softly. "I love you, Marie," She whispered. She didn't know why she said it. Sometimes she felt like she needed to remind her older sister that they still had each other.

Marie tightened her grip on the youngest Valet, "I love you, Eloise,"

Henri looked at an arrow, turning to the girls. "I think I may have a possibility,"

Gerard explained to Lydia how the girls and Henri made a spear. A silver spear that was then stained with Marie's blood. Gerard opened up a journal, pointing to an entry from Eloise herself.

January 3rd, 1764

The greatest tragedy is betrayal.

Sebastien was La Bête du Gévaudan. My own brother. Marie says we will finally find La Bête. Henri Argent agrees, but I believe that's simply because they're in love. Marie denies it, of course, but her little sister sees all.

I've never been much of a fighter. I danced and sang songs in the Tavern owned by a man I once loved. However, now I know he has betrayed me as well. My brother has more blood on his hands than a soldier in a war. And now it is time Marie-Jeanne and I do the same to him, that he has done to hundreds.

Lydia was amazed, looking at the words as she thought about his much different Eloise was to both Marie and Sebastien. She tilted her head, looking back towards Gerard as he took the journal back. "Marie-Jeanne hunted Sebastien for three years until she finally cornered him in 1767."

༺❀༻

Kennedy roared as she charged at the Beast. Scott fell to the floor, groaning in pain as he did. Kennedy kicked in the air, gasping as the Beast slammed her into a table. Students hid on top of the library. Danielle looked around, wondering what she should do.

Scott crashed into a table. He groaned, pushing himself up as Kennedy swung a chair. The Beast seemed unbothered, grabbing the girl and slashing her side. She yelled out in pain, flying back towards the stairs. Scott jumped through the air, roaring as he tried to fight back. Danielle winced, watching Scott land right next to the Hale.

The two of them groaned in pain, covered in blood and injuries. Kennedy panted heavily as she pushed on the stairs. Scott turned his head, seeing the Beast snarling at them. Scott and Kennedy pulled each other up. Nobody else could fight the Beast, and they knew that. The two of them watched as the Beast stood over them. Kennedy growled, flicking her claws.

Suddenly, Kennedy could hear the door open. Liam was soaring through the air. Danielle roared, swinging off the top of the library with yellow eyes and claws. Scott grabbed Kennedy, the two of them falling to the side. The Beast looked back, watching as Liam hit him across the face. Danielle kicked the Beast's head back, tumbling to the side. Shotguns caused Kennedy and Scott to flinch back. Braeden and Malia. The two of them moved out of harms way, Kennedy looking up.

The gunshots gave the Beast hardly any time to adjust. Malia grew her claws as she and Braeden came closer and closer. The Beast stumbled, falling towards the stairs. Malia growled out as the Beast let out a roar. Kennedy flinched, covering her head as the Beast jumped out of the library window.

Danielle huffed as she grabbed Kennedy, helping her up. Malia ran over quickly, her and Liam helping Scott. The group walked towards the middle of the library. Braeden looked towards Scott and Kennedy. "You didn't seriously think you were gonna have a chance against that thing, did you?" She asked with concern. Kennedy pushed her auburn hair back, breathing heavily.

Scott scoffed, panting as he shook his head. "No." He said honestly, looking back towards the window. "But I got its scent. "

༺❀༻

Marie-Jeanne ran.

Her and Eloise ran down different paths, both of them covered in scratches. The Beast of Gevaudan roared. Sebastien stalked through the snow, with an evil look and an arrow in his shoulder. He had blood on his clothes, but his wounds had healed.

Marie-Jeanne fell in the snow. Eloise ran into view, rushing to pick up her sister. Sebastien rounded the corner, watching both girls run off. "Nowhere left to run, sisters." He said as he ripped the arrow out.

Both girls ran. Their boots pushing into the snow. Adrenaline flooding every cell in their body. As they looked back, they could see Sebastien changing. Eloise grabbed Marie-Jeannes wrist, pulling her to go faster. It was like black smoke had covered over Sebastien, turning him into the very Beast they had been hunting for three years.

Marie looked at Eloise, the two of them feeling the Beast running at them. With quick footing, the two girls slid onto the ground. Eloise rolled away as Marie grabbed the very spear they made from underneath the snow. Marie-Jeanne screamed, aiming the spear as the Beast jumped at her. Eloise closed her eyes, preparing for both her and her sister to be killed. But the death never came. Marie-Jeanne looked up as the Beast let out a shaky, weak breath. Eloise crawled closer to her sister, holding on to her arm in fear.

The same magic black smoke came again, this time revealing their brother. Eloise and Marie watched as Sebastien grabbed the spear, pulling himself closer. His blood stained the wood as he groaned out in pain. "You think this minor injury will stop me? I'm the famous and feared Beast of Gevaudan." He said to the two girls as he grabbed Eloise's wrist. "And when I'm done killing, everyone will know. I will have done such horrors, and all of history will remember my name."

Eloise looked at her wrist in her brothers hand. "No one will remember." She shakily said as she looked up again. Sebastien's face fell.

"Damnatio Memoriae?" He said as he glared. "You would have them take my name? Our name?" He shouted out. Eloise and Marie-Jeanne watched as Sebastien looked down. He gasped out as he noticed he was not healing. "What? What is this?" The Beast breathed out with black blood spilling his lips.

Marie shook her head. "No ordinary steel." She said as she looked at her brother's dying brown eyes. "Wolfsbane and Mountain Ash, forged with our blood under the light of a full moon."

Sebastien looked between the two girls, growling out in frustration. Marie gasped as her brother smacked her backwards. She fell, pushing herself onto her elbows as she watched the dying Sebastien grab hold of Eloise. "The Beast of Gevaudan is not dead." Sebastien called out, looking down at his footprints he left before. The melted snow had puddled inside them. "Because the Beast of Gevaudan is Eloise Valet."

Marie-Jeanne screamed as she watched Sebastien push Eloise into the puddle from his footprint. The same way he had been turned years before, Eloise Valet had met the same fate. Eloise pushed against the ground, attempting to fight back. Marie scrambled to her feet, running at their brother. Sebastien grunted as he was shoved back, blood seeping from his mouth as he looked at his sisters.

Eloise looked up, face covered with mud and blood as she cried. Marie-Jeanne pulled her in close, looking down at Sebastien Valet with tear-stained cheeks. "History might remember you, Sebastien." She kneeled down, kissing his head as she leaned towards his ear. "But only as a Beast."

Sebastien Valet fell to the ground, taking his last breaths. Marie held onto Eloise tightly, the two of them crying in fear and relief that their brother was dead. Eloise knew what had happened. Her brother turned her into a monster. Marie-Jeanne shushed her sister, letting her go. Eloise waited for Marie to say anything, but the elder Valet didn't. She grabbed her spear from Sebastien's body, grabbed Eloise's hand, and walked away.

༺❀༻

"Damnatio Memoriae." Said Lydia as she looked up.

Chris Argent leaned against the table as he spoke. "They erased every detail of him. Everything he signed, everything he owned."

"They burned it all. Other than Eloise's journals." Gerard hummed. Lydia looked at the leather journals on the table.

Lydia looked up, "What happened to Eloise?" She asked quietly. Gerard opened the leather journal, turning it towards the redhead.

January 3rd, 1767

Marie-Jeanne killed him.

La Bête du Gévaudan is dead. My brother, is dead. A spear through his heart. In fact, Marie had saved me. She saved me from being killed by our brother. She saved everyone in France. Marie-Jeane killed Sebastien.

But not before he could get one last piece of revenge.

With his footprint in the ground, water puddling inside it, my brother had forced me under it. The same way Sebastien himself became a demon wolf.

Henri says I will turn into one of them. A shapeshifter. A demon. He told Marie-Jeanne I must die, but she refused. She cried and as did I, feeling myself change as the sun began to set. So, I leave before the next moon. I am leaving France, and I am going to the America's, where hopefully Henri will never find me.

If you are reading this, Marie, I am sorry. I do not wish to be this monster, but I do not wish for death. I promise to be better than our brother. I promise to never hurt a living soul. I am sure one day one of your descendants will find mine. I can only hope it doesn't end in violence like our brother and ours. Thank you, Marie-Jeanne, I love you.

As always,

Eloise Valet

Gerard's voice caused Lydia to look up. "The name Sebastien Valet has been forgotten for over 150 years, but when it's remembered,"

"When the Beast remembers, the teenager inside is forgotten." Chris finished.

"Gone. Forever."

Lydia shook her head as she looked between the, "But Marie-Jeanne and Eloise didn't do it alone. They were never alone. They had help from Henri, the Magistrate, the town, even Marcel." She said as she looked at Chris. "We need Parrish. I'm going to go find him."

Chris watched as Lydia took a few steps away. "Lydia, he's dangerous. He's still a shapeshifter. And one who's just beginning to understand his power." He told the Martin.

The girl with red hair spun around. "And I'm not?"

"You're not the same. You access the supernatural. It works through you."

"But it doesn't control you."

Lydia looked at Gerard, "How would you know?" She asked.

"Your friend was born on the anniversary of Sebastien's death." Gerard blurted. Lydia froze, visibly tensing. The old man leaned back ever so slightly. "January 3rd. That is Kennedy's birthday, isn't it?"

Lydia narrowed her eyes as she stepped closer. "Why do you care? Why are you suddenly on our side?"

Gerard smirked. He stood up straight, walking to the table. A chunk of silver slid across the table for Lydia to catch. She looked up at him. "Because it's my name as well." Lydia felt shivers all over her body as realization dawned on her. "Marie-Jeanne never left Henri after the death of her brother. And their relationship become more than a partnership. They married and she took his name." Lydia looked down at the silver, seeing a familiar symbol engraved.

"Argent."

Chris took a step closer to Gerard, speaking up. "Marie-Jeanne was the first hunter." He told her. "And Eloise was the first werewolf to survive an encounter."

"Did you know? That Kennedy and you were related?" Lydia asked Chris.

He shook his head, "Not until Gerard told me." He confessed. Lydia exhaled through her nose, shifting her feet.

"Your friend knew," Chris and Lydia looked at Gerard. "Allison had discovered the truth behind her and Kennedy's ancestors the day she died." Lydia felt sick as Gerard flipped the page of Eloise's journal.

Allison Argent.
November 13th, 2011.

Lydia looked at the small signature, "That's what she wanted Chris and Kennedy to know," She mumbled. Chris furrowed a brow in confusion. "Allison wanted Chris and Kennedy to know they were family, so that neither of them would end up alone." Chris swallowed the lump in his throat as Lydia took the journal, slamming it shut.

Gerard looked towards the Banshee. "Our name will be remembered as well, Lydia. For killing the Beast."

"But I'm not an Argent." Lydia looked towards Chris, tilting her head slightly. She held the journal in her hand, moving towards the door. "And I'm not Allison. And neither is Kennedy."