Brotherhood of the Wolf

Amidst the turmoil of the French Revolution, the Marquis d'Apcher begins to pen his memoirs in his ornate castle. He reflects on a dark and unsettling chapter from 1764, centered around a mysterious beast that terrorized the region of Gévaudan.

Grégoire de Fronsac, a knight and royal naturalist, arrives in Gévaudan on a mission to capture the elusive beast. He is accompanied by his Iroquois friend, Mani, as they seek to unravel the mystery behind the creature's attacks.

Fronsac develops a romantic interest in Marianne de Morangias, the daughter of a local count. This blossoming relationship is complicated by her brother, Jean-François, a hunter whose tragic past features a mangled arm.

As Fronsac begins his investigation, the beast strikes again, leaving destruction in its wake. In the aftermath, he finds a steel fang, hinting that there might be a human behind the creature's ferocity.

Lord de Beauterne, the king's weapons master, arrives in Gévaudan to address the beast threat. Fronsac is summoned back to Paris, where he discovers clues regarding a sinister plot led by the Brotherhood of the Wolf.

Back in Paris, Fronsac uncovers an elaborate plan orchestrated by the Brotherhood of the Wolf, a secret society intent on destabilizing King Louis XV's power. Their machinations pose a significant threat to the monarchy.

While Fronsac focuses on the Brotherhood, the beast's attacks persist in Gévaudan. Motivated by a sense of duty, he decides to head back to confront the menace head-on.

During a secretive meeting with Marianne, the beast launches an attack but surprisingly spares her life. This incident heightens the stakes for Fronsac, who is determined to uncover the truth.

In a fateful encounter, Mani discovers the hidden lair of the Brotherhood, but it leads to his tragic demise. Fronsac is heartbroken when he uncovers Mani's lifeless body, realizing the stakes have become personal.

Through an autopsy of Mani, Fronsac discovers a silver bullet, linking Jean-François to the Brotherhood. Consumed by a desire for vengeance, he confronts the Brotherhood but is captured by local authorities.

In prison, Sylvia reveals her role as a spy for the Holy See, and shares critical information about Henri Sardis, a priest leading the Brotherhood. She warns Fronsac of Sardis' delusions of righteousness, tasked with restoring God’s worship in France.

Jean-François confronts Marianne, and despite their past, he reveals himself as the mastermind behind the beast. When Marianne rebuffs him, he reacts violently, laying bare the extent of his obsession.

Fronsac is mysteriously resurrected by Sylvia's agents and seeks revenge against the Brotherhood during one of their secretive gatherings. He confronts Jean-François, whose arm is miraculously healed, leading to a dramatic showdown.

Eventually, Fronsac discovers the beast is not a wicked monster but rather a lion, tortured while forced to wear a spiked armor. In an act of compassion, Fronsac ends the creature's suffering, revealing the tragic consequences of human cruelty.

As the narrative closes, the Marquis d'Apcher reflects on his experiences and those of Fronsac and Marianne before facing his execution. He hopes they find peace together, visualizing them on a vessel named Frère Loup—*Brother Wolf*.