Oscar's expression darkened. "Because if someone inside this school had anything to do with the attempt on your life, then the more ears listening out for condemning whispers the better."
Hu Yetao finally understood; this was about more than just extra protection; it was about finding the ones responsible by any means possible, even if it meant recruiting Zhou Keyu to the cause.
His Nundu mate wanted revenge and he wanted it as swiftly as possible.
"All right," Hu Yetao acquiesced without a fight. He was quickly learning when to protest and when to just let it go because it was something his Alpha needed to do.
If Oscar was surprised by Hu Yetao's capitulation, he didn't show it.
Hu Yetao yawned again, stumbling a little over his own feet. "All this talking has worn me out," he said wearily, "I don't know how I'm going to get through all of my classes today, the new professor is going to think I'm completely useless…"
Hu Yetao trailed off, eyes widening and heart suddenly leaping into his throat. He stopped walking abruptly, causing Oscar to stop and look at him in concern.
"Hu Yetao?"
"What's the date today?" Hu Yetao asked in a rush.
"The… seventeenth, I believe."
Hu Yetao swallowed, trying to search out a familiar feeling or recognizable symptom deep within him.
"Hu Yetao, what is going on?" Oscar demanded with a frown.
Hu Yetao looked at him. "I feel really tired… Like, really tired."
Oscar's eyes widened as awareness dawned. "Is it because you're still recovering? It's two days early."
"I know," Hu Yetao replied, trying not to sound hysterical; he wasn't ready to go into heat again. "But Chen Zihan said my cycle might be affected because of what happened last time… If I'm tired now then I'll probably go into heat tonight or tomorrow," he said slowly, trying to work it out without panicking.
Oscar seemed to snap out of his shock and quickly took Hu Yetao by the hand. "All right, let's get you to our room."
Hu Yetao could feel his mate's tension through their joined hands; Oscar clearly didn't want a repeat of the last time Hu Yetao went into heat.
"Our room?" Hu Yetao questioned, suddenly realising what Oscar had said. "Why would we go there? I'll get pregnant."
Oscar seemed to have a sudden coughing fit.
"We have that isolation room for you for this purpose, remember?" he finally managed to get out.
Hu Yetao instantly put on the brakes and stopped cold. "No," he rejected stridently, shaking his head. "I won't go in there."
"Why not?"
Hu Yetao swallowed and glanced around, but luckily they were still alone in the corridor. "I…erm, I don't like small spaces."
Oscar scrutinised him intently, as though performing Legilimency. "Why do I think there's more to that statement than you're letting on?"
Hu Yetao felt an unrelenting sluggishness begin to creep over him, confirming his suspicions. He sighed. "Take me to the infirmary and I'll tell you."
Oscar nodded, and, without another word, they began to make their way up to the hospital wing. They passed by other students on their way to class and received some curious looks. Everyone knew of the attack on Hu Yetao by now, but no one approached them. The scowl on Oscar's face was probably keeping even the bravest student at bay.
They met Madam Chen Zihan just as she was coming out of her office.
"Good morning gentlemen, what can I do for you today?" she said in greeting, and then narrowed her eyes at Hu Yetao who was busily covering up another yawn. "How are you feeling Mr. Yetao?"
"He's recovered from the attack but it seems he's now going into heat early," Oscar answered wryly.
"Never a dull moment," the matron uttered under her breath as she immediately led the way over to the closest bed and sat Hu Yetao down.
She proceeded to check Hu Yetao over; peering into his eyes, checking his pulse, and then running a few diagnostic spells. Everything pointed to Hu Yetao indeed going into heat within the next twenty-four hours.
Hu Yetao greeted this news with a groan, even though he'd been expecting it.
Chen Zihan readied the quarantine room while Hu Yetao stood near the doorway with Oscar.
He didn't like the size of the infirmary's quarantine room either, but it was larger and brighter than the one attached to his and Oscar's bedroom. It was his preferred choice. He shuddered just thinking about locking himself away in that other tiny, darkroom.
"Are you going to be okay?" Oscar asked as Hu Yetao eyed the white sterile room beyond the open doorway with trepidation.
"Don't how many choices since, do I?"
Oscar looked up as Madam Chen Zihan walked back out. "Could we put a window in the door?" he asked her.
"Whatever for?"
Oscar glanced at Hu Yetao before replying, "so that we may communicate while he's in there."
"You will be going to class Mr. Wang," she replied as she waved her wand at a nearby cupboard and directed a few vials over to her free hand.
"No, I'm staying with Hu Yetao," he replied steadfastly. "He's not going through this alone."
Madam Chen Zihan sighed. "You really shouldn't be anywhere near your mate while he's in heat Mr. Wang, it will not be easy on you either." She rubbed her temple and emitted another heavy sigh. "Fine, you may stay, but I cannot put a window in that door; Mr. Yetao will not be fit to be seen if another student wanders in here."
"What about a vent or something?" Hu Yetao asked. "Just so we can talk?"
"A vent will allow your scent to come through…" she replied, eyeing Oscar dubiously.
"He can handle it," Hu Yetao replied firmly. "He carried me here while I was in heat the last time."
"That is true," she assented with a nod. "All right, I'll create a small vent. Mr. Wang, you may place a bed here by the door and stay for the duration - however, if I deem your presence to be harmful to Mr. Yetao, or if your behavior is in any way unseemly, then I will ask you to leave. By force if necessary."
"Of course," Oscar instantly agreed.