The Dark Days Are Over

(This is my

Literotica Halloween Story Contest 2024

entry. Please rate and comment. I love to hear from my readers about how I can improve)

(Trigger warning---this story for me at least, seems to contain excessive sexual violence, if this is an issue for you please seek help in your retrospective areas.)

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Lucian sighed and rolled over on his side. Dark dreams of his long-lost family and their burning house were disturbing him again, even though it had been millennia since he'd been forced to abandon them. Lucian hadn't wanted to leave...

He'd loved them dearly and that's why he had to leave. It had been for their safety, not his. The last thing Lucian gave a fuck about was his own safety. He lived for others, not himself. That's why when he'd be forcefully turned into a werewolf by his arch nemesis Fenir, Lucian hadn't returned to his family, for fear he'd harm them now that he was a werewolf.

Before he'd been forcefully turned into a werewolf, long ago in the distant past, Lucian had been a chieftain of men. It had been so long ago that stars had to be born. That was when Lucian looked after everyone- his family- sons, daughters, wives, and warriors.

As a new werewolf, Lucian was also uncertain and slightly afraid of himself. What if he harmed his family? He couldn't bear that, so Lucian had fled...only to protect his cherished family.

Unsettled, uncertain and with a heart full of doubt, Lucian had kept to himself. Fenir, the sadistic werewolf who'd turned Lucian into the creature he was had tried many times to force Lucian to join his werewolf pack. It was a pack full of miscreants and nefarious werewolves who had evil hearts. Most of the women werewolves had been turned against their will so that they could "please" the male werewolves. They stayed with Fenir, for they were afraid of his wrath and needed protection.

Fenir was always seeking beautiful women to add to his harem. He took without asking and caused misery wherever he dwelt. This was not Lucian! Lucian was a man of peace. Even though he was now a werewolf, Lucian still aspired to peace and harmony. He despised the curse that had been inflicted on him.

Long ago, before the stars were born, Lucian had been a kind and loving chieftain. Lucian loathed violence and only used his skills as a warrior as a last resort. If Fenir had spoken to Lucian, instead of just observing his skills as a warrior, he would have known Lucian's kind ways for Lucian had nothing to hide.

He was a man of gentleness and tranquillity, the absolute antithesis of what Fenir thought. Spiteful, resentful and furious the newly turned Lucian had refused to join Fenir 's werewolf pack. That had surprised Fenir for Fenir was used to getting what he wanted.

Fenrir took, destroyed and never asked ethical questions. In his tempestuous wrath, Fenir decided to teach Lucian a lesson. Fenir and his pack charged as wolves into Lucian's village. They had ripped Lucian's wife, children and clansmen into pieces before his eyes. The village had been burnt, as Lucian watched helplessly and horrified.

Newly turned he'd been too weak to help his clam. Now despite the many millennia which had passed, Lucian felt he had failed as a husband, father and chieftain. No one could ever comfort him in his guilt. No one could bring him happiness or solace. He had neither peace nor comfort. Lucian just survived.

All of that had happened eons ago, before the birth of the stars. Now Lucian was lonely. Lucian wanted to be part of a pack. Sure he could have joined Fenir 's pack. But, Fenir had slaughtered his family. Lucian would never forgive Fenir for his malevolent ways. Even if he suffered for it.

Lucian never bowed. Lucian was strong and solitary. A lone wolf. That came at a price. He was a reclusive werewolf adrift and untethered in a vast seemingly uncaring universe.

Truth be told after all these countless millennia Lucian wanted something more. Something warm and soft to love him. Someone to laugh with him. Someone to come home to. Lucian was lonely.

In the sunny meadow, he was alone for now and that was how he liked it for the most part...or at least repeatedly tried to convince himself. Yet, simultaneously he hated it and longed to be with someone...anyone.

The ancient camper van located in a crumbling gas station was where he'd been spending his time, in this century, was really rather terrible. Not that he could complain. Lucian knew he was lucky to have a place to himself. A place to be without interference from the outside world.

Leif, his friend, well not friend or companion---Leif was the only other equitable werewolf Lucian knew. Leif was the bus driver who you said hello to every day. Leif was a ship in the night.

It was Leif, who had taken pity on the newly turned Lucian and taught him the ways of werewolves. Leif was Lucian's fellow traveller, not a friend. Lucian didn't have friends. It had been Leif who'd recommended the meadow to Lucian. Leif had said it was outside of mortal time accessible to only those in dire need.

This meadow had ancient magic that dated back to the dawn of time...all those countless eons ago. The grove of trees, on the meadow, was nearly as old as Lucian, their leaves were changing as autumn approached. But for now, Lucian wasn't worried about the upcoming winter, the afternoon sun was warm and he continued to bask in it.

Staring at the trees, which seemed to grow to the stars, Sometimes, even he couldn't believe how ancient he was. Despite all the eons that had passed, Lucian still loathed Fenir. If Fenir hadn't turned him, Lucian would have lived a human life with his family. He would have the dignity and respect of a warrior, a chieftain....instead whatever piece of werewolf scum he was now.

But today at the turning of the seasons, Lucian was basking in the sun, just like most days, when he heard it. Little mews, of something or someone in exceptional pain, was coming from the stoney and steep embankment. Something was coming from deep within the ancient primeval forest.

The forest grove had grown in the dawn of time, it contained the words spoken at the beginning of the world and was home to some very intimidating magic. It had taken someone very powerful or very desperate to enter the grove. Comfortable in his sunny spot, but knowing he ultimately had no choice, Lucian yawned. He got up from his sunny resting spot and went to investigate the intriguing sounds.

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Down in the dark valley, tears stung her eyes, and her head pounded as her blood rushed into it, the sound reverberating in her ears. She whimpered a tiny, animalistic sound of agony, muffled by the duct tape stuck across her mouth. Whomever he'd been, He'd duct taped her wrists and ankles, too, but she'd lost sensation in her extremities hours ago---perhaps, days. She had no idea. She'd lost track of time. She was still bound and had absolutely no idea what to do now that she was awake.

Desperate for fresh air, she tried to breathe through her nose, feeling as though she couldn't take in enough air. Her stomach boiled in reaction to the pain that percolated throughout her bruised and aching body. She longed to heave violently, but even the luxury of vomiting was denied her for she knew that with her mouth sealed, she'd only suffocate to death.

She knew she had no choice but to endure this cruel torture till she was more coherent. If she didn't die and she was on the verge of praying for death. She knew she was stronger than this! She had to survive! She knew she had to fight!

Bitter tears filled her eyes again and she cried in misery yet again. Who wouldn't when your underwear was soiled with your own blood, your arms and legs tightly bound, and your captor and rapist had grunted, when he'd finished with you but said nothing else as he tossed you like a sack of garbage down a strange rocky ravine?

She didn't know how long it took her to wake up after she'd hit her head on the stone at the bottom of the cliff. She only knew she was still in lots of pain and she'd lost time...perhaps a day...or even two? Maybe more?

Suddenly, out of the cold darkness, a soft voice spoke to her."Don't be frightened. You are awake and you'll be alright...soon...enough." said a soft, male voice. It was strange; sensual, but weary. At first, she flinched away---still in something in the strange voice made her feel calm. She wasn't alone anymore.

"What is your name?" the man questioned gently.

"Mmm," she moaned again through the duct tape across her mouth.

"Oh, you poor woman," Lucian said, speaking gently to the mortal as if she was a frightened baby bird. "You're gagged and bound. You smell of blood and sex, but not at your behest," he said continuing. "You smell of fear, of pain. Fortunately, you do not smell of death.

The woman tensed at the mention of the word "death". What the fuck was going on? She hoped she was still dreaming or at least hallucinating. She also wondered if she was dead. She should be dead. Yet, she knew somehow she had to survive. She had to live to fight another day. She would and could survive. The woman's inner voice told her this. She knew it was true for she could feel it, in her heart and bones.

"Relax...take a deep breath and calm down...you have nothing to fear from me and if you get through this...and I know you can get through it. You're a tough lady...you'll be fine. I know you're strong enough to do this. You can make it! I believe in you! You have my word, I'll take care of you. Even if I have nothing else, my word is my bond. Now what's your name?" questioned Lucian calmly.

Lucian also hoped, deep in his soul, that this was true. He'd like his word to be his bond but it had been years since he'd been around a mortal. This was doubly true of mortal women. Sadly, it had also been years since his word was his bond.

Lucian hoped he could be that person again. He hoped he could be a leader, a chief, a kind man, a lover. Lucian hoped his humanity wasn't lost forever. Lucian didn't know how he could bear to live if his humanity was lost.

Lucian slowly tread closer to the forsaken and disappearing woman. Gently he picked at the duct tape on her mouth and peeled it away slowly. Despite his tenderness, it tore open the bruises and cuts on her mouth from her tormentor's abuse and she felt the coppery taste of her own blood in her mouth again.

"Are you all right?" he asked her. Lucian had been saying things even he was unsure of in an effort to raise her spirits and get her better.

"NO!!!" she wailed. She was beyond frightened! She was in a state of terror that she had never experienced---was there even a word for what she was feeling? What the fuck was going on? Who was this stranger...would he hurt her...like that other stranger had? She only had questions.

"I'm Lucian. I promise I'll take care of you, you have my word and like I said my word is my bond. After all, it's all I have. Can I please know your name?" asked Lucian again as he heaved her up in his arms to carry her out of the stony gulch.

"I'm Marigold, where am I? What's happening?" questioned Marigold in a panic. She shielded her eyes from the bright autumn sun. She'd been in darkness and damp for far too long.

Her mind was fuzzy from all the trauma and it was difficult to think. Marigold knew she was being rescued, at least she hoped she was. At least she was getting out of the gully and that was progress? One step at a time. Her life was in this peculiar stranger's hands.

Still, doubt and uncertainty flooded her hazy mind. She was too weak and cold to fight back, what if this man tortured her more? He had said she was tough but Marigold knew she couldn't stand any more molestation--in whatever form, it might appear.

This strange man had said his word was his bond but people said a lot of things. She wasn't ready to trust this man yet. Besides how had he found her? She'd been so far down the gully and in the dark. The car ride in the car's trunk had seemed to last forever, Marigold knew she was far from civilization...so how had this person found her? Was he a friend of her tormentor's come to abuse her again? Marigold had many questions but no answers. She was just a woman. She just worked in a grocery store! It wasn't like she mattered in the grand scheme of things.

Lucian sensed her fear and Marigold was still trembling like a baby bird. "It's alright....you're safe with me Marigold, right now we're going up the hill into the warm meadow. You're going to stay with me for a while. I promise you, Marigold, that you'll be safe with me. Like I said, I'm a man of my word, all I have is my word. My word is my bond. Let's get you cleaned up." stated Lucian.

She was light...to light as he lifted her up the hill. Lucian had no knowledge of care. All he remembered was his mother's medical salves. He hoped against hope they would still work. Lucian was almost confident they would. His mother had been the medicine woman for his clan. Lucian had learned from her but that had been millennia ago.

Still, Lucian hadn't been around mortals in centuries---at least double that for mortal women. Lucian had always been uncertain of his control as a werewolf. He wouldn't want to inflict his werewolf curse on any person, as Fenir had forcefully inflicted the werewolf curse on him.

Lucian longed to be his true self around someone...a friend but hopefully---dare her dream, a lover! But none had arisen throughout the countless millennia that Lucian had lived. Lucian was afraid of how a mortal would act when they found out about his werewolf curse. So he remained alone. Now this mortal woman had come to him. Lucian knew down in the roots of his bones that he alone could cure her.

Still, despite his lack of experience healing mortals, Lucian swore to the gods, both old and new, that he would keep his promise to Marigold. He would get her better! He had to! While he was struggling to carry her up the hill, Marigold passed out again due to the trauma she'd endured.

Lucian's sanctuary, at least for now, was a camper van parked outside an abandoned gas station. It was definitely not fit for mortals, it was barely fit for him. Not that he minded, Lucian barely needed anything, or anyone and he liked it that way. Didn't he? Still...after all this time...shouldn't there be something more? Didn't the Cosmos owe him this?

At least, that was what he always told himself. He didn't need the lap of excessive luxury that Fenir lived in. He didn't need to claim women against their will. Lucian survived in the old ways---in the ways of the forest and the ways of nature. The way he had as chieftain and that was enough?

At least it had been enough until he'd heard Marigold's mews of pain. But, now Lucian was seriously worried for his mortal guest. He was sure that the gas station still had toxic chemicals around. It was probably full of asbestos and leaded gasoline. He'd never considered all of that. As an immortal werewolf, it didn't bother him. Now he worried for the suffering woman.

The injured woman groaned in her sleep. She was in serious pain. Lucian knew he couldn't take her to a mortal hospital. Too many questions would be asked. Even though Lucian was a lone wolf, Lucian was already breaking the ancient laws by helping her. For he was risking mortals finding out about the magical world.

Part of him didn't give a fuck, still, he knew other magical creatures would torture Marigold more for putting their supernatural world at risk. If he abided by the rules, he should have left her to die.

She was only a mortal after all. She shouldn't be his problem. That wasn't Lucian though. He took responsibility. He'd been a chieftain of men once---an honest man instead of the deceiver werewolf he now was.

Somehow this mortal woman had slipped through the magical barriers and come to him for healing. If he didn't care for her, who would? Lucian knew this task had come to him and if he didn't heal her no one could.

He had to be her advocate, her protector, her champion, her angel. Lucian quickly crossed angel off the list. He was no angel. He was the furthest thing from it. He was a devil, a demon, a degenerate werewolf.

Still, what to do with this vulnerable lady...how could he get her better? A part of Lucian, the part he'd tried to cleanse himself of for centuries, said he should have left her in the stoney gully. Lucian was ashamed of that part.

Marigold yawned in her sleep. Lucian could hear her stomach rumble from over on his armchair. Mortals...she would be hungry after who knew how long in the ditch. Lucian left the wounded mortal woman in the abandoned gas station's rotting cot to sleep. (It was the best spot in the room. Soon Lucian would try to remedy this. He wanted to take care of Marigold. He wanted her to have the best.)

Lucian took one last glance at Marigold. She was still tossing restlessly. Lucian was pleased she was no longer bound and gagged; that he'd found her before the worst happened. Hopefully, she'd be alright while he was out. Lucian said a quick prayer to the gods, both old and new, that she would.

He didn't know how or why, she'd broken through the ancient wood's magical barrier into his realm. He didn't have time for those questions right now. Marigold needed his protection and he was determined to get her better. Lucian had given her his word. Lucian kept his word...at least he hoped!

Later, Marigold woke to a crackling fire and the smell of roasting meat. It smelled gamey but delicious. She let out a loud groan that was full of pain. Lucian turned around to look at the fragile mortal he was caring for.

"Feeling better?" he questioned, keeping his voice soft to not frighten her. Lucian didn't know if she'd remember him. Marigold had suffered so much trauma. Marigold's wounds covered her entire body.

"NO....I hurt all over and I can't remember what happened to me. I don't even know who you are or what I'm doing here." said Marigold and she became overwrought and started to cry bitter tears again. How had everything gotten so FUCKED up and just what had she done to deserve this? She was just a normal woman, living a normal life...wasn't she?

"My name is Lucian, I'm here to take care of you, drink this tea...it's made from willow and valerian root. It's like aspirin and sleeping medicine. My mother made it for me, ages ago, when I was a child so I know it works. I told you I'd get you better. I will. This is my house...it's a long story and you wouldn't believe me if I told you." he said with a kind smile on his face, as he passed Marigold the herbal remedy.

Someday he hoped he could trust Marigold with the truth, but today was not that day. He didn't need to bother or alarm an ailing woman with his supernatural stories. Lucian smiled bitterly to himself---supernatural truths.

Marigold looked about the crumbling gas station. She supposed it was a place to live...as for a house she didn't know. What kind of person would live in an abandoned dump like this?

At first, she had thought that Lucian had been her captor. But, she quickly dismissed that thought. He'd carried her up the steep ravine, brought her food, and even attempted to bathe her, albeit poorly with a washcloth. He also didn't radiate the same aura that her captor had. Lucian was kind, he was taking care of her.

Marigold thought back to her attacker. She had been sitting at a cafe drinking a cup of coffee and had just told him "no" to a date. That had made him livid. He ranted and raved ceaselessly about how all women wanted him.

It was hard for her to remember the man but she thought that by looking at him, you could agree. Most women would go on a date with him. He was gorgeous; dark brown hair, beautiful platinum eyes, a ruggedly handsome face. Any woman would spread her legs for him, right? Except she'd said no. She didn't have any reasons as he'd repeatedly pressed her.