Chapter 28

"Mr. Ying," Oscar nodded in greeting before continuing. "We will of course be receptive of these factors as we conduct our lives together. The same rules that have always applied to Nundu shall still be in place, such as no transforming into my natural form except here at the Manor or on the protected grounds of our own home once Hu Yetao and I leave Hogwarts. We have discussed the idea of perhaps moving away for a time when Hu Yetao is pregnant and when our children are young, to escape the media and any other curious onlookers during those times."

Mr. Ying nodded in approval. "I am pleased to see that you have planned."

Oscar nodded in appreciation. "One does not consider a mateship with a celebrity without considering it from all angles Mr. Ying."

Hu Yetao couldn't help but smile at Oscar as he smirked at the Board member, clearly unbothered by the proceedings - or hiding his nerves with remarkable aplomb.

"No further questions Chair Silong," Mr. Ying spoke, looking to the elder.

Hu Yetao couldn't believe how civilized it all was; except for the giant prowling cats in the background, he could be in the middle of any refined English courtroom.

"Su Miake?" Mr. Silong indicated the pregnant female next and Hu Yetao didn't miss the look of warning he shot her.

The young female kept her hand over her baby bump and pierced Hu Yetao with cool blue eyes. "Mr. Yetao, do you fully comprehend the consequences of what it would mean for the Ministry to find out about us?"

Hu Yetao swallowed and held her gaze, even though she looked ready to eat him alive. "Yes, I believe I do; possibly more than anyone who has not been a part of the clan their entire lives could. I have spent most of my life trying to protect a particular group of people - half-bloods - from being slaughtered just because Chong Li deemed them to be unworthy of wizarding society, and this is not so different from that same ideology. Oscar has of course told me about the history between the Nundu people and the Ministry and, while you probably see me as someone aligned with the Ministry, I am not. I don't trust the government as a whole; there are good people there but there will always be the corrupt and the money-driven as well, and so they will never have my absolute trust or support." Hu Yetao took a breath and pressed on. "And even if I did believe in the Ministry and everything it stood for, I could still never reveal you to them because it would mean the execution of not only hundreds of innocent people but the death of my mate as well. This thought alone would keep my lips sealed."

Ms. Miake narrowed her eyes at him. "And when one of our own attacks someone? When an innocent witch or wizard, or even Muggle, is ripped to shreds - what then? Will you allow us to carry out our justice without involving anyone from the outside world? Even when you disagree with the punishment handed out. Or will your sense of righteous injustice stretch that far?"

"Y-yes, I will not interfere with your ways," Hu Yetao stammered, knowing it was a fair question and also knowing that it would be difficult for him to stand by and watch such a thing.

Su Maike looked as though she didn't believe him but Xiu Silong intervened. "Thank you Ms. Miake, I believe that will suffice. Mr. Luo Kan?"

Su Miake sat back with a huff of irritation but remained silent.

Hu Yetao turned next to Luo Kan; the one who looked as though he had been quietly seething for the entirety of the meeting so far. He shifted closer to Oscar, taking comfort from the heat seeping into his shoulder from his mate's body.

Luo Kan didn't look to be much older than Hu Yetao himself. With dark auburn hair and brown eyes, he would've been rather attractive if it wasn't for the harsh scowl drawing his face down.

"How dare you so blatantly disregard our traditions and bring a fox into the henhouse, Mr. Wang," he said with quiet ferocity, glaring at Oscar.

Hu Yetao immediately bristled and stood a little taller, a flare of indignant anger igniting in his chest. He felt much more comfortable with the Board attacking him and leaving his mate alone.

Oscar merely narrowed his eyes in return and remained composed as he replied. "And as I've already explained Mr. Luo, I acknowledge that the process was not carried out in the usual way of things and have apologized for the lapse, but what's done is done, and I think we all just wish to move forward in the best way possible now."

"You should be punished!" Luo Kan hissed.

"Mr. Luo," Silong interjected warningly. "This is not a punishable offense. Revealing our secret is an unforgivable transgression but not when it is to an intended mate. They have a bond and are not here to deceive us."

"Yes, but he revealed the existence of our people to Hu Yetao!" Luo Kan exclaimed, losing any thread of equanimity that he had been clinging to. "Wang's impulsive decision to bed the Chosen One is now going to cost us all our lives!"

A loud rumbling of agreement seemed to come from some of the gathered members in the crowd.

Hu Yetao's lips parted with indignant anger but a squeeze to his hand from Oscar had him closing them again as he turned to his mate. Oscar shook his head minutely, eyes entreating Hu Yetao to rein in his outrage.

Hu Yetao pressed his lips together and held his tongue, knowing he would just make it worse if his temper did get involved.

Relief showed in brown eyes before Oscar turned back to the front. "I believe Hu Yetao has already spoken to that effect Mr. Luo," he spoke, tone calm but cool. "He has no desire to reveal our secret or to put any of us in harm's way."

"If it weren't for him, we'd all be free!"

Hu Yetao felt as though he'd been slapped in the face. Of course; some of these people had hoped that Chong Li would come out the victor in the war so that they could live their lives unrestricted. Hu Yetao had fought hard - even sacrificing his own life - but it meant nothing to them because they hadn't wanted Hu Yetao to succeed.

"We would never have been free under his reign."

Hu Yetao's head snapped to Xiaocheng in surprise.

"The Dark Lord promised many things which he had no intention of following through on," Mr. Wang continued evenly. "He was not a wizard of his word and killed many a loyal servant to achieve what he desired."

Hu Yetao saw Oscar's expression flicker with sadness and knew his mate was thinking of Li Zekun

"He also could not stand the thought of anyone being considered superior or more singular than him," Xiaocheng stated knowingly. "Do you believe that he would have allowed the unhindered existence of our people? A special group of people that he was not a part of? How long before he forced himself on an Omega - on one of our own? Would we have been able to carry out judgment on his wrongdoings?"

Hu Yetao gaped; he couldn't believe Oscar's father was defending him.

"Of course we would have," Luo Kan retorted, but his confident tone had flagged somewhat. He shook his head. "But that is not what is on trial here today-"

"I don't believe anyone is on trial here today," Shui Xian inserted icily. "The Board is here to meet Hu Yetao and allow him the opportunity to answer any questions or to put to rest any reservations you may have. He, and the rest of our family, is not here to be verbally attacked or insulted by you."

"She is right Luo Kan," Xiu Silong interjected, looking to his fellow Board member with disapproval. "If you cannot carry out your questioning in a respectful manner, then I shall have to ask you to leave. Let me reiterate to everyone here," he said loudly, taking in the rest of the crowded ballroom with a discerning gaze. "Hu Yetao is not on trial here today. He is mated to one of our own and is here to be accepted into our clan. We simply want his word that he will abide by our laws - and he has given it. Our questions are so that we may get to know Mr. Yetao a little better, and to perhaps impart our wisdom on matters which they may need to consider whilst entering into this partnership."