Meeting Destiny; Lachlan’s Story (Annalese and the Immortals)

by Buff, Annie

  “Lass?” Lachlan squeaked out, still trying to breathe, his eyes full of tears.

  “She’s right. Lachlan Michael McCain, I love you into the deepest parts of my soul. I love you. I would very much, if that offer is still open that is, like to spend eternity with you as your mate.”

  He stood in front of her, tears falling, chest so tight he expected it to explode. He was trying to speak, but no words would form, so he just wrapped his arms around her and cried. After a few moments he got himself under control and pulled back so he could see her face. Gods-damn, she was so beautiful.

  “Oh Angel, gods be damned, I never thought I’d hear those words from ye. Are ye sure, lass? There’s no going back once it’s done.”

  “I’m sure Lachlan, so very sure.”

  “Then I’ll call Mehmet.”

  Lese asked, “Um, who’s Mehmet?”

  “Aye, he will do the ceremony. He’s the oldest living Vampire. I think he’s close to a millennia now.”

  “Holy shit,” Lese laughed. “I thought Vlad was on old man.”

  They started back to the table, when he stopped her. “Annalese.” He took her cheek in his hand and kissed her, a toe-curling, fire-lighting kiss. Then just like that, they rejoined their friends for cannoli.

  After two dozen cannoli, Lachlan was on sugar overload, and loving every minute of it.

  The girls excused themselves for a bathroom break. So Vlad figured it was time.

  “So McCain, should we call Mehmet?” He was grinning so big his fangs were showing. Lachlan returned the grin.

  “Aye, call Mehmet. She’s agreed to be my mate. She loves me, canna ye believe that, she really loves me.”

  “Of course I can.” Vlad’s phone chimed. “Ah, Mehmet says he’s on his way. Do you two want this tonight or tomorrow night? I’m going to see if Mehmet will stick around. We may need him. Teleporting is the only skill I’ve yet to master, and he’s the king.”

  “I suppose I should ask Annalese. She may want a human ceremony too, where she takes my name. Gods, how I would love that. Damn, what these females can do to a grown Vampire.”

  Vlad nodded. “Oh I agree whole heartedly on that. Sophie never asked, but I would have given it to her if she had.”

  “Aye, I know. Ah, they’re coming. I’ll ask her now. Should I take her back to the patio?” Lachlan wasn’t sure if this should be private.

  Vlad nodded, sliding a box across the table. “I came prepared.”

  Lachlan cracked the top to see the most perfect emerald-cut ruby he’d ever seen. It had to be five carats. In the center, barely visible, was the Tepes crest: two intertwined dragons.

  “We are family, Lachlan. She should wear my crest, so should you—on your chest like I have.”

  Lachlan smiled and nodded. Vlad had a very intricate tattoo of the crest on his chest. Lachlan knew soon he would too.

  The men stood as the girls reached the table.

  “Come with me, lass.” Lachlan took her hand and led her away.

  “Vlad, what did you do?” Sophie looked concerned.

  “Not a thing, my pixie. I believe he just wanted a bit of privacy. I believe he’s going to ask her to share his name. And I gave him my mother’s ruby for the occasion.”

  “Oh, Vlad.” Sophie threw her arms around her Vampire. “God, sometimes you can be so sweet.”

  “He’s family, Sophie. Now, so is she. Mehmet is coming. Lachlan will bear my crest as I do. It’s only right.”

  Sophie agreed with Vlad completely. They were family. She loved this man so much, and now she was getting a sister to love too.

  “Lachlan, what are we doing back out here? Won’t Vlad and Sophie think us rude running off again?”

  “Nay, lass, I just wanna bit of privacy.” He dropped down to one knee, and Annalese gasped.

  “Lass, never in all my days, did I ever expect to be so blessed, but I’d like it to be complete for you, for children we may have. I would verra much like if you would take my name. Be mine, both in my world and yours. Willa marry me, Annalese?”

  Both had tears flowing. Lachlan opened the box Vlad had given him. That was the moment he realized Vlad had given him his mother’s ring to give to Annalese. Holy Shit! Vlad never ceased to surprise Lachlan.

  “Well lass, it’s kind of chilly on an old vampire’s knees. So you think you could say yes, so I could get up soon?”

  “Oh my God, Lachlan. Yes!”

  He stood, carefully took the ring from the box, and slid it on her finger. It was a perfect fit. Well, of course it was. Vlad was never wrong. Then he planted the most passionate kiss as of yet on her lips. When they broke, he just held her tight. He had so much more to say, but that damn part of his anatomy was at full attention again. He pulled away. “Sorry lass, I canna control it, but I’m tryin’, Gods help me, I am.”

  She giggled.

  Great, now his hard-on was funny. Somehow this wasn’t working out how he wanted.

  “He’s just very happy, Lachlan. It’s okay. I’m getting to where I like it. Makes me feel good I have that effect on you.”

  “Aye, ye have no idea. But I’m supposed to ask ye when you wanna have the ceremony. Mehmet is coming now, but he will stay a bit, so ye decide. I’m fine with whatever it is, angel.”

  “Why do you call me that, Lachlan? I’m definitely no angel.” Lese was sure he was delusional.

  “Aye, lass. Because no one but an angel could ever love this bastard of a Vampire. I’ve waited for you all me life, and I canna believe you’re real some days. Then you touch me,” he glanced down, “and that happens. Reminds me I’m still alive. And reminds me how real ye are. I was sure when we came out here, you were gonna tell me you were leaving.”

  “Why Lachlan, why would I leave? You’re not making sense.”

  Lachlan drew deep for this one, to the darkest parts of his soul. “Well lass, I’m a Vampire. It can be kinda a deal breaker. We can be demanding, violent, and a touch intense. I’ve done some pretty horrific things that are biting me in the arse right about now, and fuck, if I didna drag ye into it. You didna deserve that. Ye deserve so much better, much better than the bastard I’ve been, that I am.”

  He let go of the breath he was holding and waited for her to speak.

  “Lachlan.” It came out almost as a sob. “You are not a bastard by any means. I know some of the things you’ve done. Someday you’ll tell me all of them, but until then, I really don’t care. Look at me, really look at me, Lachlan McCain, and listen very carefully.”

  He looked straight into her beautiful emerald eyes.

  “You are not a bastard, Lachlan. Maybe a bit intense, but you are far from a bastard. And don’t tell me I deserve better than you, because there is nothing, and I do mean nothing, in this world or beyond that’s better than you.”

  He didn’t think he could have been more shocked when she agreed to marry him; he was wrong.

  “Oh, Christ on toast.” And he grabbed her and just held her.

  They made their way, hand in hand, back to the table. Vlad spoke first.

  “So, kids,” he smiled. “When are we doing this?”

  “Aye, shite, didna we get to that, Lese? Fuck, I got distracted. So, angel, it’s up to you.”

  “Well, it’s Monday. And I need a couple days to get something proper to wear, right? Does Wednesday work?”

  Sophie squealed, “Oh, that’s so not enough time, but we can make it work starting now.” She babbled about guests and food and decorations the entire ride back to the castle.

  They split ways at the top of the stairs. Lachlan and Lese went to their suite; Vlad and Sophie headed in the opposite direction. Sophie was still babbling about the ceremony.

  “Gods, lass.” Lachlan continued the grin he’d sported most of the evening. “Yer so beautiful, I’ve got no idea how I managed this, but by the gods of the heavens, and the demons of hades, I love ye.”

  Lese said nothing. She just reached behind her neck and unclasped the dres
s. Silk pooled at her feet. Lachlan’s jaw dropped to the floor. She stood before him in nothing but some small scraps of black lace.

  “Holy shite, Annalese. Are ye trying to kill me? I canna be a gentleman if ye do that.” He pointed to the dress on the floor.

  “Good.” She smiled. “Time to stop being such a gentleman and show me, Lachlan, how you feel. Not with words. With your hands and mouth and that.” She pointed at his crotch. “It looks like it needs to be set free.”

  Her hands moved to the button on his trousers, and Oh, god. He grabbed her hands to stop her.

  “Annalese please, just give me a moment. It’s been a verra long time. I just need a minute.” He was trying desperately not to spill in his pants before he even got them off.

  “How long, Lachlan?” She wasn’t sure she should ask. “You don’t have to tell me.”

  “Aye, 1907.”

  She was doing the math. Holy shit. “Lachlan,” was the only word she could form.

  “Aye. It just seemed proper to not defile myself with women I didna love. I figured when I met the right woman, it would happen. Didna think it would be one hundred and eight years though. And I’m a touch afraid. I doona want to do something wrong or hurt ye because I want ye so badly. If ye touch me know, I’ll spill all over myself. And I want it to be perfect for ye.”

  She took his hands and placed them on her hips, then put her hands on his chest. My hands won’t move until you ask me to move them. Just touch me, Lachlan. Go slow, go fast, whatever you need, just please touch me.”

  And he did. He relieved her of the lace scraps and kissed every inch of her. He body was like that of a goddess, at least he thought so. His large, smooth hands on her breasts, and his lips on her nipples, biting and sucking. Lese thought she had died and gone to heaven. But when his lips trailed down her stomach, she knew exactly what heaven felt like. Her knees were shaking so much, she thought she’d fall over.

  He stood before her and unbuckled his belt, and his trousers hit the floor next to her dress. The longing in his eyes was incredible. “Now Lese, unbutton me shirt, put yer hands on me.”

  And she did. His chest was amazing-perfectly sculpted-his abs were. He was absolutely gorgeous. A vee of dark hair led from his stomach into the black silk boxers he was wearing. Even hidden by the undershorts, he had the biggest erection she’d ever seen. She knew it would be spectacular.

  He took her face in his hands and kissed her, parting her lips so their tongues could dance. He scooped her up like she weighed nothing, carried her across the room, and gently deposited her on the bed. He stepped out of his shoes and socks and lay down, covering her body with his. He kissed her lips, face, cheeks, and was kissing her neck when he stopped abruptly. Lese looked at her Vampire and his glowing blue eyes.

  “Lach,” she whispered, “what’s wrong?”

  “Aye, fuck, I shoulda fed. I’m sorry, I need to get some blood in me, lass.” He tried to move, but Lese simply held him and tilted her neck. “Feed from me. That’s how it works, right? Mated males feed from their mate. Just start early, Lachlan. Take my blood.”

  He reached over and opened the nightstand drawer. Lese assumed for condoms, but he pulled out a knife. “If we’re gonna do this, let’s do it right. I take from you, you take from me. Begin the mating. I love you Annalese, and I want this so, so bad. Are ye all right with this?”

  She nodded.

  With Vampire speed, he removed the boxers he was wearing. She tried to see.

  “I know yer worried I won’t fit. Gimme yer hand.”

  She did and he placed her hand on his hard shaft. She couldn’t even close her hand around him he was so thick. Holy Jesus. Sophie said this would fit. No way in hell!

  He let her explore him. Her touch was so incredibly soft. He closed his eyes, and just felt. It had been so long, he thought there was no way it could have ever felt this good. He was on his side and she finally got to see all of him. He was perfect in every way.

  “Oh Lachlan, you’re beautiful. Perfect.” Her hand left his manhood and she traced all the muscles on his chest and stomach, kissing his chest in the process and biting his nipple.

  Holy shite, Lachlan thought. He was the Vampire and she was biting him. Holy hell!

  When she took his erection between her lips, he about came off the bed. That had to be the single most amazing feeling he’d ever felt. His hips started to rock and he knew he had to stop her. “Lass, you donna know how good that is, maybe too good. If ye don’t stop now, I’m gonna lose it, and it’s not how I wanna it to happen. Come here, Annalese.”

  She did. Lachlan’s hand went between her legs to the most intimate part of her body. He began touching her, gently at first, then a little harder, rubbing her sweet nub until she was sure she’d died. Then he slipped a finger inside her and started pumping. She moaned so loud she knew Vlad could hear, but she didn’t care. Then he inserted a second, then a third, and she was the one hanging on by a thread.

  The assault of kisses continued until Lese’s body couldn’t take it anymore. She shattered into a million pieces. Lachlan held her tightly and waited for her breathing to slow. He positioned himself over her, his massive erection poised at her feminine opening. “Tell me ye love me, Annalese. I want to hear it.”

  “Oh God, Lachlan. I love you.” And she did.

  “Can I make love to ye, angel? Gods, I need ye so bad.”

  “Take me, Lachlan. I need you too.”

  He went inch by inch, painfully slowly until he filled her completely. Then he just held her for a minute letting her body adjust to his size. He had the knife. “This is an athame. It’s been blessed for such an occasion.” He made a small cut by his nipple. “Take from me please. I give it to you freely and with all the love in my heart.”

  Annalese closed her lips over the cut Lachlan had made and began to suck. He began to move inside her, a slow, gentle thrust. She kept drinking him in. He tasted sweet and woodsy and she swore she tasted his scotch.

  Lachlan thought he was dying, the pleasure of her taking his blood so intense. He was fighting like hell not to spill yet. Gods, this was so right. He thrust harder and she met him, thrust for thrust.

  She bared her neck again. “Do it Lachlan. Feed from me.”

  He licked her neck, right at the vein, and sunk his fangs in.

  The pain was so fleeting, she almost didn’t notice it. Then the euphoria hit. The pace of Lachlan’s thrusts got faster. She couldn’t hold on anymore, her body clenched around him, and she was screaming his name. Lachlan lost it, following her lead, spilling his seed and calling out her name.

  They lay together, bodies still joined for what seemed like hours. Lachlan kissed her neck where he’d fed. Gods he loved her, and he’d keep her safe.

  “Lachlan,” Lese said very quietly. “Not that it really matters, but we didn’t use anything.”

  He looked confused for just a second, and then it hit him. “Aye, but donna worry, we don’t carry diseases, and it had been too long to worry about it anyway.”

  “No, Lachlan. Babies.”

  “Oh. Oops. Sorry lass, when I saw your dress hit the floor, my brain took a vacation, and um,” he pointed to his crotch, “little Lachlan kinda took over all rational thought.”

  Lese giggled.

  “Are ye giggling at me man parts now? I could be crushed,” he joked.

  “Oh Lachlan, there is nothing little about your ‘man parts’ as you put it. It was just funny how you said it.”

  “Wanna raid the kitchen with me?” he asked her. “I know they brought more of those damn demonic cannoli home.”

  “Cannoli,” she said. “I’m in.”

  Lachlan gave her his shirt which went to her knees on her five foot two inch frame and slid his trousers back on. Hand in hand, they snuck into the kitchen. Both Lese and Lachlan thought they’d been quiet, but not they must not have been quiet enough, because Vlad strolled into the kitchen, bare chested, smiling at them.

  “Hello, kid
s.” Vlad was being Vlad smart-ass as always. “Enjoy your night?”

  Lese was so many shades of red, she knew that he knew. Oh boy. But Lachlan just smiled.

  “Aye, T., I’d say I havena had a better night in two hundred years.”

  “Annalese,” Vlad spoke to her. “Would it be OK if I borrowed Lachlan for a few minutes when he finishes getting his sugar?”

  “Sure. Can I ask something?”

  “Yes, absolutely. We’re about to be family.”

  “Explain the crest in my ring. It’s stunning. Are they dragons like that?” She pointed at Vlad’s tattoo.

  “Yes they are. My family crest. Dracul is Dragon and I was born Vladslaw Basarab Dracul. I took Tepes about four centuries or so ago. I hate being called Dracula. It’s Hollywood bullshit. But I decided Tepes was better in the 1600’s. It means impaler and I’m proud of my heritage. Lachlan is basically my child. I sired him. He will wear this too.” Vlad made reference to the tattoo. “Mehmet will do it tomorrow. Oh well, tonight when he gets here. Lachlan is special. He’s the only one I’ve ever sired.”

  “Oh wow.” Annalese said, wiping powdered sugar off Lachlan’s chest.

  Vlad burst out laughing.

  “T., you really are an asshole.”

  “Yes, so I’ve been told on more than one occasion. I’m just happy to see you happy, McCain. It’s about fucking time.”

  Meeting Mehmet

  All four were in the library awaiting the arrival of Mehmet. Lachlan hadn’t seen him in a few years. The last time had been at Vlad and Sophia’s mating. He presided of course. Lachlan held Lese’s hand. Sophia tried more than once to pry Lachlan’s hand from hers, but he just wasn’t ready to let go. He wasn’t sure he ever would be.

  The bell rang and they all assumed it was Mehmet. Vlad opened the door to greet his old friend, but was greeted by a young boy, maybe thirteen years old. He handed Vlad a note and ran. Odd, but okay, Vlad thought until he read it. He started screaming in Romani. Lachlan knew every word.

  “Sophia, stay here with Lese. I mean it.” Lachlan stressed. “Stay here!”

  He and Vlad took the note and went to the south lawn.