AN: First off, thank you so much for all of the reviews, messages, and love lately! Thank you so much for reading the Choice Series and following along with all of these stories. I am sorry I have been so busy with school but as a way to make it up, here is the 11th story in the Choice Series, Tanya's Choice. This is more of a flashback story and I hope you enjoy it!
PS: Breaking Dawn Part 2 was phenomenal!
~Emmettroselover
Chapter 1
Interior Alaska in November was known for its harsh conditions. Mount McKinley was not welcoming to humans during the winter, which made it perfect for vampires to roam around inconspicuously. Winter in Alaska meant little daylight and wind so cold that it seemed to slice through the mountains and forest. It was a cloudless night and the Aurora Borealis illuminated the sky in waves of green and blue. Three weeks had passed since the encounter with Nahuel and Kaya's siblings and Rosalie was more than happy to spend her time racing around Denali with her family. She could hear Kaya's laugh in the distance and the sound of Seth galloping after her. Kate and Garrett headed north to hunt, leaving Rosalie, Emmett, and Zach alone to play the game of tag that Emmett begged her to play with them. The wind whipped around her as she tracked her mate and son simultaneously, trying to decide who she would catch first. She scaled a tree and scanned the area when she heard their nearly identical laughs.
"Dad, we should go up the mountain together. Mom won't be able to catch us both."
"We'd play right into her hands. We should split up. Besides, your mom is very fast when she is climbing. Trust me, she would catch us easily." Rosalie giggled at their planning and leapt from the tree to gracefully land on the ground when she heard Emmett's gasp.
"She's coming, time to split up," announced Emmett and Zach began to scale up the mountain. Rosalie raced toward Mount McKinley and watched her son scale it expertly. She beamed with pride at him before listening out for her mate. Emmett bounded across a cliff to the other side of the forest and she smirked when she saw him latch onto another expanse of mountain. She had been conflicted about whom to go after before, but decided making her mate chase her and Zach around would be fun, especially since it was his game. She darted in Emmett's direction and gauged the distance between the two of them as she hurdled a boulder. A smug smile crept onto her face as she gathered her momentum before rocketing toward him and the mountain. She crashed into her mate and his booming laugh echoed around them as she wrapped her arms and legs around his back. The collision caused the mountain to rumble and the earth to shake as she whispered in his ear.
"You're it," she teased before kissing his neck and he could not even pretend to pout about being caught as he leaned into her touch. Their eyes locked and he was ready to make a sly comment about her position on his back when they both realized the earth was still shaking. The sound of cracking ice and rocks falling from above filled their ears along with their son's voice.
"Avalanche," shouted Zach as he used his ability to boost himself off of the mountain. He shot away like a rocket and landed gracefully onto the forest floor. Emmett and Rosalie pushed off from the mountain as well when the boulders and mounds of snow barreled toward them. They hit the ground running and Zach and Emmett's laughs echoed around the forest as they continued to run away from the avalanche. Seth and Kaya trailed them as the group sprinted down the mountain. Rosalie glanced over at Seth as the avalanche set off another one and it became a chain reaction of events. Another followed and Rosalie's eyes widened when a boulder barreled toward Seth, almost clipping him from behind.
"Seth, watch out," she screamed and her instincts took over. She pushed him out of the way before smashing the boulder into pieces and suddenly the two of them were airborne as Zach safely lifted them from the rubble with his ability. They landed yards away from the settling snow, dust, and rocks as the avalanches slowed and she looked over at Seth who was flat on his back.
"Oh my God, Seth I am so sorry. Are you okay," she asked in a panic, but then sighed in relief when she realized Seth was not hurt. If fact, he was laughing. His body shook with mirth as he began to roll around in the snow and Kaya giggled at his laughing form as she walked over to her mate.
"It is uncanny how the three of them have the same sense of humor, don't you think Rose," asked Kaya and Rosalie rolled her eyes at Seth, Emmett, and Zach as they rolled around on the ground in hysterics.
"That was not funny! Seth could have been hurt," scolded Rosalie, but Zach scoffed.
"Like I would let that happen. Oh mom, that was awesome! I didn't know you had it in you! That was bigger than dad's avalanche," he gushed as he beamed with proud and Rosalie giggled.
"Yes well after so many years with your father I learned a thing or two. Seth, are you sure you are okay," she questioned and Seth nudged her hand with his nose. She pet the fur on top of his head as he made it to his feet and Emmett high fived his son.
"We have to get your mom to come with us more often right? Told you she can hold her own," boasted Emmett and it was Rosalie's turn to scoff.
"I most certainly can. Did you doubt me, baby boy," she asked and her son chuckled.
"I knew you could let loose but that avalanche was huge!" Garrett cleared his throat as he appeared with Kate by his side, both wearing sly smiles.
"Actually avalanches, plural, there were three," corrected Garrett and Kate shook her head in mock disappointment.
"Gosh Rose, we can't take you anywhere," teased Kate and Kaya nodded.
"I guess the boys aren't the only ones we have to keep an eye on," added Kaya. Zach wrapped an arm around his mother and kissed her cheek.
"That was so cool mom," he praised and Emmett kissed her other cheek before winking at her.
"That's my mate," he boasted and Rosalie giggled at their excitement.
"I am glad that amused you," she informed and Zach's eyes lit up.
"Come on let's head back to see what Benjamin thinks about it," exclaimed Zach. Seth, Emmett, and Garrett followed him back to the Denali House as Rosalie, Kaya, and Kate shook their heads.
"They are never going to stop talking about this Rose," laughed Kaya and Rosalie groaned as they followed them back to the house. By the time they arrived, Seth was changed and on the porch talking animatedly with Zach, Emmett, Garrett, and Benjamin, who was waiting on them when they arrived. He felt the avalanches and knew they were not natural to say the least. Rosalie's eyes widened when Tanya joined them on the porch, along with Carlisle and Esme.
"Mom, dad, when did you two arrive," asked Rosalie with an innocent smile, but Esme's raised eyebrow told her all she needed to know. She felt the avalanches too.
"An avalanche Rose, really, what happened to setting an example for the kids," asked Esme and Garrett raised his hand.
"Actually, three avalanches, plural," he corrected again and Carlisle snickered. Rosalie smiled sheepishly at her mother and was surprised when Esme winked at her.
"Just teasing Rose, I am sure it was quite the sight though," admitted Esme as they all entered the house.
"What are you two doing here? I thought you were on the island relaxing," questioned Rosalie and Carlisle smiled adoringly at his mate.
"She missed all of you. Edward, Bella, Renesmee, and Nahuel decided to head to Forks early for Thanksgiving. Seth, Sue is expecting you and Kaya to be there by tomorrow night," informed Carlisle and Seth nodded.
"I can't believe Thanksgiving is coming up already," said Seth as he grabbed his phone from the coffee table in the living room. Esme kissed his cheek and hugged Kaya before pulling Zach into her arms for a big embrace. He chuckled and kissed his grandmother's forehead as Rosalie smiled at their interaction. The love Esme had for her family was evident in her golden eyes and they loved her just as much.
"Mom, we haven't been gone for that long, only three weeks," said Rosalie and Esme smirked as she stroked her grandson's curly hair.
"Three weeks too long if you ask me. It was only supposed to be one," reminded Esme. Emmett wrapped an arm around his mother and smiled sheepishly.
"Sorry, we were having so much fun we decided to extend the trip," explained Emmett. Alice skipped into the room, followed by Jasper, Zafrina, Keegan, Carmen, and Eleazar. Carmen just finished showing them the designs for the new bedroom she planned on adding onto the house. With the additions of Garrett, Keegan, and Zafrina to their family over the past years, she thought it was time to redecorate and create more space.
"Well an invite would have been appreciated," teased Alice as Emmett huffed.
"Like you ever need to be invited to anything," he teased back. She hugged Zach and kissed his dimples before greeting the rest of her family. Carlisle took a seat beside Esme on one of the sofas as she snuggled into his side.
"I received a call from Marcus earlier today. Kaya, your siblings are settling into Volterra wonderfully. They are still becoming acquainted with the diet, but are able to compensate for the loss of satisfaction in the blood by eating more human food. Roman is still coming to terms with his feelings, but all is well," announced Carlisle and Kaya sighed in relief as she curled up on a couch with Seth.
"Maybe when they feel more comfortable with their diets there will be an opportunity for Nahuel and I to get to know them better. Of course that will only work if they can accept my mate," said Kaya and Seth smiled lovingly at her.
"I am sure it will take them time to get used to our relationship and the relationships of everyone in our family. It can be a lot to handle for people that do not understand all of our connections," explained Seth and Alice smiled as she watched Zach look at Tanya and Benjamin with intrigue. She winked at her nephew and sat on the arm of the chair Jasper was sitting in beside the fireplace.
"I am so glad you are interested Zach. It will be nice to hear the story," giggled Alice and Rosalie looked at her son curiously. She noticed the way he kept looking back and forth between Tanya and Benjamin.
"What's on your mind baby boy," asked Rosalie as Zach sat between her and Emmett with a confused frown on his face.
"Mates are forever, right," he questioned and Rosalie nodded as she glanced at Emmett with a sweet smile.
"Of course sweetie," she assured and Zach slowly nodded.
"Then how come Benjamin and Tanya were able to become mates if he already had one," he questioned and everyone looked at Benjamin and Tanya. Garrett snickered and Kate nudged him. Benjamin kissed his mate's hand as she addressed Zach.
"I suppose it is time that we explain how we came to be. It was a confusing time for the both of us but well worth it," she informed as Alice clapped her hands happily.
"I love a good story," she giggled and Jasper glanced at the fire before looking at Benjamin and Keegan.
"Especially a good story by the fire, will one of you do the honors," asked Jasper as everyone took a seat in the living room. Benjamin winked at Keegan.
"Go ahead," he urged and Keegan slipped his hand into Zafrina's before focusing on the logs in the fireplace. His eyes brightened like embers and Zafrina rubbed her thumb across the top of his hand soothingly as he concentrated on harnessing and controlling his power. The fireplace suddenly burst with flames and Carlisle smiled at Keegan.
"You have come a long way since we first met. Congratulations, I knew you would find a way to control it," complimented Carlisle and Eleazar nodded.
"It is very impressive indeed. I have never seen such control in a firestarter," praised Eleazar. Keegan gazed into his mate's eyes.
"I couldn't have done it without Zafrina. Before I met her, I feared my ability and now I know it is such a big part of me that I cannot deny it without denying who I am," explained Keegan and Zafrina nuzzled his neck.
"It has always been within you," she whispered to him before kissing him tenderly and Carmen smiled at their interaction.
"Mates are powerful and when you find your true mate, they not only complete your existence, but can amplify your very being. There is nothing like it in the world," explained Carmen as she rested her head on Eleazar's shoulder and Benjamin nodded as he pulled Tanya closer to him.
"That is why my ability has grown exponentially since I found Tanya. It was difficult to control it before I met her. Now I use it with ease," agreed Benjamin and Zach grinned at him.
"So, how did you come to the family, Ben," he questioned and Kate groaned.
"Those were not some of my best moments in my existence," she mumbled and Garrett smirked.
"Are you kidding me? Your feistiness during Ben's first encounters with us is what made me fall even more in love with you woman. You are such a fierce protector of the ones you love and it makes me love you even more," said Garrett as he pulled her closer. Benjamin smiled at her.
"Kate, I can admit that being on your bad side wasn't my favorite part of the journey that led me to Tanya, but it did make me realize just how close this family truly is. You were trying to protect your sister. I knew that then and I know that now," assured Benjamin and Kate smiled appreciatively at him as Emmett rubbed his hands together in anticipation.
"Kate being mad at Ben, oh I have to hear this," chuckled Emmett and everyone gave them their undivided attention as Benjamin and Tanya described how they met.