60 Chapter 59

They both ate in silence for a few minutes, watching their mates through the window whenever they came into view.

Hu Yetao frowned when he noticed that the two giant cats were nipping and clawing at each other rather aggressively. He glanced at Shui Xian but she didn't appear bothered by the vicious behavior. He turned back to the window, brow still knit in thought.

Sometimes he had to remind himself that the Nundu people had such a violent past, a past that eventually led to their banishment and illegal status with the Ministry. It was hard to keep that in mind when his mate was so caring, and even when Oscar was angry or upset, he wasn't explosive or dangerous like Hu Yetao thought he ought to be for his people to deserve such a harsh sentence.

As far as Hu Yetao could see, the Nundu clan were a responsible group of people who were able to intelligently and justly govern their kind to live in relative harmony, but he knew trying to convince the Ministry of that would be nearly impossible, even stepping forward and declaring their existence could yield terrible consequences.

He knew it wasn't worth the risk, especially because exposure would mean the possible execution of his mate. The naïve, hopeful part of him refused to believe the Ministry capable of executing so many people if it did come to light, but the side of him that had experience with corrupt governments and dark wizards knew it was a distinct possibility. All the Ministry had to do was put fear into the public at large and they would soon clamor for the Nundu genocide.

He shuddered at the thought.

He finished off his sandwich and then added a splash of milk to his tea before cupping it in both hands. He glanced at Shui Xian; the woman seemed so serene and at ease. He found he was warming to her as a mother-in-law; she provided useful information and advice but didn't pressure him or try to influence his decisions.

Hu Yetao cleared his throat. "Uh… is Mr. Wang very upset that I didn't allow him to take me back to Hogwarts after the party?"

Shui Xian appeared surprised by the question. "I was not aware that he had offered." She paused lip curling up into a tiny grin.

"What?" Hu Yetao asked, unable to hold in his smile in response to the teasing gleam in her eyes.

"I do believe he is becoming fond of you Hu Yetao."

Hu Yetao laughed and they shared a moment of closeness and familiarity which warmed him from the inside.

"And do please call us by our given names Hu Yetao," she said. "I think we may dispense with the formalities now that you are a part of our family."

"All right, I'll… I'll try to remember that." Hu Yetao nodded, still smiling faintly. He suddenly remembered something he'd meant to ask her a while ago and he felt comfortable enough at that moment to finally voice it. "Erm, this may be a stupid question but, do Alphas and Omegas usually have some sort of marriage ceremony?"

Shui Xian cocked her head to one side thoughtfully. "Some mated partners do," she replied carefully.

"You and Mr. Wang - sorry, Xiaocheng," Hu Yetao amended, stumbling a little over the name, "are married, aren't you?"

Shui Xian nodded. "Yes, we are. A marriage ceremony is something some monogamous couples decide to take part in, but not all."

Hu Yetao ran a hand through his shower-damp hair, balancing his tea on one knee. "Monogamous? As in Omegas which only take a single Alpha as their mate?"

She nodded, head still tilted to one side as she gazed back at him. "Every partnership is different," she said. "Some mated pairs prefer to just let the claiming mark speak for itself, others like the idea of a traditional marriage as well."

Hu Yetao nodded, absorbing this. "I once read that a mated pair become 'bonded' once the claiming mark is in place, is that true? And what does that mean exactly?"

Shui Xian smiled gently, leaning back against the stack of white silk cushions behind her. "Bonded is merely a generalized term for mated pairs. Some belief a pair to be bonded once they have acknowledged their mateship, some believe it is when the couple has spent a heat cycle together, or it could be once a mate has received their claiming mark. It isn't something clearly defined and it doesn't change anything about mateship, it's just a term that people throw around. You needn't concern yourself with it. With Oscar being a Nundu, you will have a much stronger connection with each other than most," she added upon seeing his bemused expression.

Hu Yetao swallowed the rest of his tea and set his cup down on the table. "It's all so confusing," he finally said with a sigh. "There should be a bloody course at Hogwarts about all this."

Shui Xian laughed, the sound light and pleasing. "Perhaps you should initiate one?"

Hu Yetao snorted. "I am not qualified for that."

Shui Xian laughed and Hu Yetao was once again struck by how young she appeared when she was relaxed. He hoped it meant that she felt comfortable around him now.

"What are you two giggling about?"

Hu Yetao and Shui Xian looked up to see Xiaocheng in the open doorway, pale gaze sweeping over his smiling mate with approval.

"Mr. Yetao, how are you feeling?" he asked, turning to Hu Yetao.

Hu Yetao tried not to stare at the bleeding gash across Xiaocheng' cheek and the rather deep one on his upper arm that was currently staining his white shirt a deep red. "Erm, better, thanks."

Shui Xian rose from her seat with a tsk of disapproval. She swept across the sun-drenched room and placed a chaste kiss on her husband's uninjured cheek. "He's in better condition than you my love."

Hu Yetao nearly gaped when Xiaocheng rolled his eyes at her, smirking good-naturedly.

"I'm fine, Niào is waiting for me and she will have me healed in a moment."

"I'll accompany you," she replied, slipping her arm through his. "Where is Oscar?"

"Niào is seeing to him now, he'll be down shortly."

Hu Yetao watched as the couple turned and exited the room, Shui Xian's gaze decidedly tender as she gazed up at her mate.

Hu Yetao exhaled heavily and flopped back against the pillows. He eyed the trays of tempting sweets, wondering how long he would have to wait for his mate to make an appearance. He selected a large chocolate-coated biscuit and happily munched on it as he turned to look out the window.

He hoped Oscar had worked out all his pent-up Nundu frustration.

He smirked, wondering if there were other ways for Oscar to excise his restlessness.

He absently reached up with his left hand and lightly traced his fingertips over the rough scar tissue of his new claiming mark. His pain potion was still holding strong and he didn't feel a thing as he gently prodded the disfigured skin.

He wondered if the potion was keeping his fear at bay too because he was feeling oddly calm after nearly dying last night.

He finished off his biscuit and was contemplating having another when he caught some movement out of the corner of his eye. He turned to see Oscar standing in the open doorway, his smile of greeting dying on his lips when he took in the fierce expression on his mate's face.

Oscar strode briskly into the room to stand on the other side of the table from Hu Yetao, hands balled into fists at his sides, his eyes wild.

Hu Yetao sat back in his seat, unconsciously leaning away from his mate who appeared slightly unhinged. "Wha-"

"I love you!" Oscar abruptly shouted over him.

Hu Yetao blinked and then felt the overwhelming urge to laugh; as though a huge bubble was expanding in his chest, ready to burst. He bit his lip but it was no good, he could feel his lips twitching. A sort of snort/snicker escaped as he stared back at his mate.