"So that's it," Luo Kan snapped, "we just allow the Wangs to do whatever they want and damn the consequences?"
"You are out of line Mr. Luo," Xiu Silong replied sharply.
"I say we Obliviate Yetao!"
Hu Yetao's eyes widened and he took a step back, hand twitching towards his wand.
Oscar instantly stepped in front of Hu Yetao, blocking him from the Board's view as he withdrew his wand and, without hesitation, aimed it directly at Luo Kan.
Hu Yetao glanced behind him as some of the pacing cats made growling noises of displeasure, as though waiting to pounce. He suddenly felt very exposed and very human.
"Mr. Luo! That is enough! You are disgracing our clan with this behavior and creating a very poor first impression. You will not speak again for the remainder of this meeting and that is an order!"
Luo Kan's expression was apoplectic but he did as he was told and sat back, crossing his arms over his chest, face flushed.
Xiu Silong exhaled and turned back to Hu Yetao, who was now peering around Oscar's shoulder. "I apologize Mr. Yetao, please do not judge all Nundu based on this youngling. He is still new to the Board and I fear the power is going to his head a little."
Oscar sheathed his wand but kept his gaze on Luo Kan as Hu Yetao slowly stepped out to stand at his side again.
Hu Yetao noted that both Xiaocheng and Shui Xian had also drawn their wands. Oscar hadn't lied when he'd said that his family would stand by them when it came to the Board.
"Of course," Hu Yetao replied with a nod, still feeling on edge.
"I think we may continue now." Silong gave a tight-lipped smile and turned to the other female Nundu on the panel. "Ms. Dong do you have any questions for Mr. Yetao?"
The older woman didn't smile but her eyes were sympathetic and Hu Yetao felt some of his tension release a little.
"Good evening Mr. Yetao, it is lovely to make your acquaintance," she said quietly. "I do not have any reservations about your character; I know you would not intentionally bring harm to our people. I do worry however that you have selected a mate rather quickly. I am aware that you did not register your Omega status with the Ministry, as I work in the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures Department." She paused and allowed a tiny smile to break through her sedate demeanor. "We like to have someone on the inside to keep an eye on things you see."
Hu Yetao nodded but was too nervous to return the smile.
"Without Ministry registration, you would not have received attention or proposals from other Alphas other than the few that may be at your school. You must admit that that's hardly a generous pool from which to choose someone to spend your life with." Her gaze flicked to Oscar and back. "Not that young Wang is not a wonderful choice, but you see my concern?"
Hu Yetao swallowed, trying to work some saliva back into his mouth after Luo Kan's round of harsh accusations. "I understand," he replied earnestly, not afraid to speak from the heart on this one, regardless of the large room now hanging on his every word. "There are a few Alphas at Hogwarts, I think about six in total, but Oscar was the only one that I felt drawn to. I did receive attention from some of the others but it never felt right. While we have only been together a short time, we have been in school together since the age of eleven, and throughout those years we have always been interested in the other but never realized why until we came together after our inheritances. While it may seem hasty to you, it has been a long time in the making."
"And you agree?" Yong said, turning to Oscar with interest.
"Yes, I…" Oscar paused and glanced at Hu Yetao, an affectionate smirk flickering about his mouth. "He is the perfect mate for me."
Hu Yetao couldn't help but smile back, nerves retreating.
"And you have claimed him?"
Hu Yetao instantly snapped out of the warmth of Oscar's gaze as the blond froze; appearing to be at a loss for words for the first time all evening. Hu Yetao's determined refusal of being bitten and claimed suddenly seemed like a terrible decision, and would not look good to the people gathered in that room, all of whom probably didn't have any moral issues with the act of claiming. He quickly turned to Ms. Dong.
"He hasn't yet, but he will. Very soon," Hu Yetao responded firmly. He could feel Oscar's gaze on him but didn't look over.
Ms. Dong smiled, looking pleased, and Hu Yetao knew he'd made the right decision. It was just a sacrifice he would have to make to keep everyone happy.
"And do you want children Mr. Yetao?" she asked, still smiling.
"Yes, loads," Hu Yetao replied, relaxing. He could sense that this meeting was drawing to a close and he was almost giddy with the relief of it.
"Loads?"
Hu Yetao glanced up at Oscar's murmur to see a look of amusement on his mate's face. Hu Yetao grinned back. "Yup. Loads," he stressed.
"Well, I think that's all we need to know for now," Xiu Silong announced with a clap of his hands, smiling down at the two mates. "I believe that concludes our meeting for tonight. Your answers have adequately satisfied the Board Mr. Yetao and I thank you for your attendance. Please feel free to mingle with everyone; I believe our hosts have provided some refreshments for your enjoyment."
Hu Yetao exhaled in relief and sagged against Oscar's side. "Oh my, I'm glad that's over with," he exclaimed quietly.
Oscar slipped an arm around him and leaned down to whisper into his ear. "What is this about being claimed? Did you change your mind?"
Hu Yetao shivered as Oscar kissed the side of his neck, letting his teeth lightly scrape the surface. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad…
Before Hu Yetao could form a response, Oscar's parents had approached. Shui Xian looked pleased and even Xiaocheng seemed content.
"You did well Mr. Yetao," Shui Xian commented, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder fleetingly.
"Thank you," Hu Yetao replied, grateful for her support.
Hu Yetao felt Oscar tense beside him and glanced over. His mate seemed to be scowling at the crowd that was now wandering the room at will and drawing ever closer to Hu Yetao, dozens of curious eyes on The-Boy-Who-Lived.
"Relax Oscar, it will do no good to become possessive in this crowd tonight," Xiaocheng murmured to his son, his gaze on the wandering clan members. "You know they will feel better once they meet your mate and scent him for themselves."
Hu Yetao almost grinned in amusement when Oscar released a low growl under his breath before clamping his lips shut.
"Mr. Yetao?"
Hu Yetao turned to see an older gentleman standing next to them, a crumpled hat in one hand and his other hand tightly clutched by a young girl who looked to be no older than ten. Hu Yetao smiled at the pair of them.
"Hello," he greeted. "Please call me Hu Yetao."
The older man smiled and instantly stopped fidgeting with his ruined hat. "Good evening Hu Yetao, I am Xuan Ye Goodfellow and this is my granddaughter, He Min."
"Pleased to meet you," Hu Yetao shook Xuan's hand and then crouched down at eye-level with the little girl. "And very pleased to meet you as well He Min. How old are you?"
"I'll be nine in a fortnight," she replied shyly, hiding half her face in her grandfather's sleeve.
"Wow, happy early birthday," Hu Yetao replied.
He Min giggled and Hu Yetao grinned at her before standing upright once more.
"Loads?" Oscar repeated into his ear with a smirk.
Hu Yetao laughed and elbowed him in the side. He could tell that Oscar was also slightly enraptured by the sweet child. He wondered if He Min was a Nundu and if it was a polite question to ask someone or not.
"I think we've taken up enough of your time Hu Yetao," Xuan Ye said, looking pleased to have met him. "My granddaughter wanted to meet you and I just wanted to say that I'm glad you're here. We could use some decent wizards in our clan."
"Hu Yetao!"