Chapter 21

Hu Yetao chewed his lip as he thought about that. "Maybe it's because I don't agree with the whole dominant/submissive thing when it comes to Alphas and Omegas. It's never felt right to me, I've always hated the idea of bending to an Alpha's will - especially ones who are trying to fucking rape me to get what they want," Hu Yetao uttered darkly. He glanced at Oscar's expression and quickly put a hand on his arm. "But as Amber said, you're not like that; you seem to be able to think rationally."

Oscar's answering smile was tight. "Sometimes."

"What times haven't you been able to?" Hu Yetao asked with a confused frown, not remembering any such incidents.

"I did hex your best friend quite badly today."

"I forgot," Hu Yetao replied, eyes widening.

"Is he alright?"

"Yes, he's fine, it was just a Stinging Hex after all," Oscar answered, trying to play it off but his expression was contrite. "If I had been able to think clearly, I would've remembered that he's your best friend and therefore important to you, so I shouldn't be harming him, especially because he wasn't trying to attack you. I also attacked the Professor violently."

"Yes but he deserved it," Hu Yetao replied instantly. "I mean, it wasn't his fault but you had to do whatever you could to get him off me. I could never blame you for losing control in that situation, I would've done the same thing if I'd walked in on that scene and it was you pinned to the desk," Hu Yetao broke off and had to swallow, vividly remembering the feel of a hand pressed to the back of his neck, firmly pushing him into the unyielding surface of the desk. "I was just relieved that you didn't change into your other form," he added.

"You don't have to worry about that," Oscar replied, laying his cheek on his arm as he turned to Hu Yetao, inhaling the skin of Hu Yetao's hand where it rested on his arm as though taking comfort from it. "I have full control of my other form, most of us do. Such an immense secret would not last long if every little row caused us to suddenly change."

Hu Yetao smiled. "Yeah, I suppose. I'm glad I don't have to worry about that." He stopped and shuffled a little closer so that their bodies touched from hip to ankle. "I like it here like it's our little sanctuary."

Oscar's lips tugged into a smile at Hu Yetao's words. "As do I. When Amber suggested it, I thought she was joking."

Hu Yetao laughed and turned over onto his back, head still turned to Oscar. "I can't believe the Headmistress is encouraging us to share a bed every night."

Oscar's brown eyes crinkled with laughter as he grinned. "Saucy old minx isn't she?"

"No way would your Head of House have allowed this."

"When it was Meng Yao?"

Hu Yetao nodded, still grinning.

Oscar smirked. "Only if he thought it was punishment and not something you wanted. He may have allowed it for me though."

"I'm glad you had someone on your side," Hu Yetao said, sobering, reaching out to run his fingers down Oscar's pale cheek. "You seemed very alone in the sixth year."

Oscar caught his hand in his and kissed his fingers, causing Hu Yetao to flush a little in embarrassment. "I was."

"But not anymore."

"No." Oscar smiled at him a moment then sat up. "Want to get under the covers?"

"Yeah, that sounds brilliant." Hu Yetao grinned and quickly slid off the bed and began to get undressed. "We're not expected in class this afternoon?"

Oscar rolled his eyes as he unknotted his tie. "Of course not, we can stay here all week if we wish."

"Oh we should, we really should," Hu Yetao replied, his dark eyes gleaming.

Oscar chuckled as Hu Yetao pulled back the thick quilt and climbed in. Oscar stripped down to his pants and quickly followed, piling the pillows up against the headboard and leaning back against them.

He opened one arm and Hu Yetao smiled as he shifted over to lean against his mate, Oscar's arm wrapped securely around him and holding him close.

Hu Yetao sighed, relaxing still further as he inhaled Oscar's Cinnamon scent and felt the Alpha's body heat seep into his skin and begin to warm him. "This is exactly what I needed," he said with another sigh.

"Good," Oscar replied with approval. "I… was concerned that you wouldn't want me anywhere near you after what happened today."

Hu Yetao slid his left arm around Oscar's waist, cheek resting comfortably on his shoulder. "Me too. I was worried that being around any Alpha was going to freak me out but I find that I want you near me, I think I need it."

"Do you think you'll have a problem being around other Alphas?"

Hu Yetao frowned as he thought about it, trying to picture what it would be like to be near an Alpha that wasn't his mate. "I… I don't think so, not really." He paused and then felt a flash of fear as he thought about his next heat.

"What is it?" Oscar asked, having felt Hu Yetao stiffen against him.

"I… I'm scared to go into heat again," he replied honestly, heart pounding at the thought. "I didn't like how it felt and I… I didn't like what it did to Professor Chao."

Oscar combed his fingers through Hu Yetao's hair as he held him close. "You needn't worry about that. You know when it's going to happen now and we can prepare for it, you won't be caught out again."

Hu Yetao nodded, knowing that Oscar was right but still fearing it. What if he was abnormal and had unreliable cycles? Or maybe his heat ending early today had upset his cycle and it would come a day earlier or a day later next time?

"What if my heat starts on a different day next month because it was interrupted?" he said, voicing his concerns aloud.

"You felt extraordinarily tired right before your heat, didn't you?" Oscar replied steadily. "So we'll know it's about to happen when you fall asleep in your breakfast. And Zhang Xinyao and Jing-Long are now able to recognize the symptoms too."

Hu Yetao took a deep breath and released it. "Yeah, you're right. I… I'll just lock myself away when I start to feel tired without reason again."

Oscar nodded encouragingly. "Precisely. It won't be such a surprise next time."

Hu Yetao closed his eyes and tried to relax. He wouldn't think about his heat any longer, there was no point worrying about something he had no control over. Oscar was right; he would know it was coming because he could now recognize the symptoms.

"How did you know I was in trouble?" he asked, wanting to change the subject but also remembering to ask the question that had been on his mind since their meeting with Amber.

Oscar shifted a little, resuming his finger-combing of Hu Yetao's hair. "I could scent your fear."

Hu Yetao glanced up at him. "Really? But… you were in Amber's office at the time weren't you?"

Oscar nodded. "I was. Remember when I told you that by stopping the scent masking potions, it would allow your Alpha to scent when you were in trouble?"

"And you could scent it from that far away?"

"Yes. I'm not certain, but I think my other form enhances that ability a little too. If you're inside the school and in distress, I'll know about it."

Hu Yetao smiled into Oscar's bare shoulder, the scent of his skin all around him, creating little flutters in his stomach that he would never admit to out loud.

"I wish you could change right now," he said, the words just tumbling out of his mouth before he could think about what he was saying.

The fingers stilled in his hair. "What?"

Hu Yetao felt his cheeks heat and he avoided the stare he knew was directed at the top of his head. "Erm, you know… it would be… uh, nice and… warm." He stopped spouting gibberish and held his breath.

The gentle combing started up again and Hu Yetao exhaled.

"I know you said that it didn't bother you, but… you want me to change?" Oscar asked, sounding surprised.

Hu Yetao shrugged, not looking up. "Yeah, it would be… I would feel safe. Not that I don't feel safe now, but… I dunno, it's different, isn't it?"

"Sure."