131: The Excerpts

*(An Undated Journal Entry)*
I, Justin Lunereaux, am writing this on the eve of my planned execution. I have given my son, Benjamin Lunereaux, to my cousin in the Lennox family. He is close to the Ashfords, and I believe he and his line are to be spared in the coming coup.

The timing of Lennox’s wife losing their pup and my wife having one was kismet, I believe. We had kept my wife’s pregnancy a secret as we suspected what the Ashfords were up to.

I can rest knowing that my line will persevere. May the fae blood in us never weaken.

Long Live Velentaria.

*(A Second Undated Entry)*
Justin gave me this journal hours before he was executed. It chronicles the last few months of his reign and the events that led to me having my new son, Benjamin. He will only ever know himself to be a Lennox for his safety. We were lucky to have been spared.

I’ve been reading through this book, trying to find answers about this ‘Velentaria’ that Justin wrote about several times. What I have discovered will be written in this book for future journals and will never be spoken about out loud again.

The entire Lunereaux family is part fae. They come from a royal fae bloodline. The only information I have managed to find on Velentaria is that she is a queen who believed that breeding with werewolves would lead to a superior hybrid species. She wasn’t entirely wrong— her descendants have gained magical abilities from their fae blood.

From what Justin wrote, I believe Benjamin will come into his place around the time of his first shift. We won’t know what he is capable of until then.

For my own safety, I will keep my first name redacted and only refer to myself as Lennox. I will have all future generations do the same. Benjamin will eventually inherit the title of Alpha of the Midnight Pack and will learn of his heritage then. By all accounts, with my death, the true Lennox bloodline is dead.

Long live the Lunereuaxs.

*(A Third Entry, Dated approximately 13 years late)*
I am afraid of my son.

He has come into his fae power with the coming of his first shift. He is so much stronger than we thought he would be, and he had so many questions. The main one was why he had to keep his power a secret.

My wife and I decided to tell him who he actually is. He killed her in a fit of rage. He can wield fire. I watched as he set her ablaze, and there was nothing I could do to save her.

I know one day he will read this entry and know the harm that he has caused to our relationship. I cannot find it in me to care anymore.

He is angry. With me, with his birth parents, with everything. But mostly, he is angry with the Ashfords. He hates them for what they’ve done, for what he’s lost. I cannot hold it against him, considering I hate him for the very same reasons.

*(A Fourth Entry, dated 6 years after the last)*
My father is dead. Both of them.

I’ve begun doing my own research into my bloodline and am already well-versed in politics. I have gotten as close as I can stand with the Ashfords. I have found my mate and taken over as Alpha of the Midnight Pack. The Lunereaux bloodline lives on in me and in my mate.

She is expecting our first pup. Everyone in our pack is delighted, as it’s happening so fast. I have begun to sew the seeds of discontent among my people. It may take generations, but the Ashfords will pay for what they’ve done.

Long Live the Lunereauxs.
Benjamin Lennox-Lunereaux

*(A Fifth Entry, Undated)*
A Royal Seer arrived today at the Midnight Pack. Somehow, they knew who I was. They knew what I am. They told me that eventually, a daughter will be born to the bloodline. The fate of our lineage will depend on her. She will lead the Lunereaux line back into power.

My two sons are nearly old enough to mate. Young Felix has the gift of foresight, and Gerald can control the weather. Both are very strong and very promising. They will make good leaders and will continue to work toward overthrowing the Ashfords.

Long Live the Lunereauxs.
Benjamin Lennox-Lunereaux

*(Half an entry, recovered from a partially torn page)*
—father and Gerald’s deaths. I am the new Alpha of the Midnight pack. I do not harbor the same hate for the Ashfords that they did, and am rather content with how things are. As it sits, I have no interest in perpetuating this hate.

Here’s to peace.

Felix Lennox

*(An entry from two years later)*
They’ve killed my mate. My hands are shaking as I write this entry, the memory still so fresh.

Our pup is barely two, and the Ashfords have murdered his mother. They claimed it was treason, but that bastard Caden knew what he was doing. My Linnie had never done anything wrong. She was so kindhearted.

It was his law that led to this. He’s made it impossible for us to feed our own people.

She was beheaded for giving a servant child a loaf of bread in the presence of the almighty Alpha King Caden Ashford. If I have my way, he’ll be the last in his bloodline.

Here’s to war.

Felix Lunereaux

*(An undated entry)*
For the last three generations, the Lunereauxs’ history has been passed down by word of mouth. Felix, my great-great-grandfather, became paranoid that someone would find the journal and use its contents against us.

I am only bringing this back because it has happened. My chosen mate has given me the daughter we’ve been waiting for. The one who will lead us to victory against the tyrannical Ashford empire.

More to come.
Bryant Lunereaux

*(A recent Entry)*
I don’t know how Ada is supposed to lead our people to anything. She is meek and pathetic. Perhaps some of it is my own fault, since I couldn’t bear to look at her after her mother’s stark betrayal.

I’m beginning to think the Seer from all of those years ago was wrong. Perhaps I’ll exile my daughter and try to lead this rebellion myself.

Bryant Lunereaux

*(The most recent entry)*
I’ve met her. Velentaria has come to me.

She is working with us, which we desperately need. I needed the money from Ada, being the destined surrogate, to fund this rebellion, but now she’s their fucking fated mate, and Everett is dead.

Nothing has worked out right until now. She is going to win this for us. Francine has expressed that she’s concerned about her motives for getting involved, but I’ve told her to know her place. That woman is obscene in comparison to Velentaria. The Fae Queen is ethereal, and her tactical planning makes the Ashfords pale in comparison.

We are going to attack them on—

*(The page is torn out at this point)*