Zhuang barely kept from growling. He knew his father was simply trying to be diplomatic, but he hated it. Xias was his.
“Do you understand what I’m saying, Xias?” Shen asked. “As an omega, you have the right to choose which clan you belong to. All omegas have the right to come and go from their clans as well as transfer to another clan without their alpha’s permission.”
Xias’s hand tightened on Zhuang’s arm with every word the elder spoke. “I want to stay with Zhuang.”
Elder Shen smiled. “I thought you’d say that.”
“He can’t make me go with him, can he?”
“No, Xias. But because there is a claim on you by two different clans, Osamu does have the right to state his case to you as to why he believes you should join his clan, the same as Zhuang does.”
Zhuang tightened his arms when he felt Xias shudder. “Just because you might have to listen to his bullshit doesn’t mean he can force you to do anything, Xias. The entire council will back whatever you decide.”
“But I’ve already decided,” Xias insisted.
“I know, mate, but in order for everything to be aboveboard, you have to at least hear any other offers from other alphas.” Zhuang would rather chew off his arm than admit that, but he wouldn’t lie to Xias. “It has to be done this way.”
“Will you be there?” Xias asked.
Zhuang glanced toward his father because he wasn’t sure of the rules governing him being present. He’d like to be there. He couldn’t stand the idea that Xias might have to face Osamu by himself. The man was frightened enough.
Elder Shen shook his head. “Zhuang cannot be there, as he is one of the alphas putting in his bid for you to join his clan.”
“I thought I’d already joined his clan.”
“Technically, you have,” Elder Shen replied, “but in order to make Osamu’s claim null and void, he must be allowed to try to convince you to join his clan.”
“I feel like cattle,” Xias grumbled.
Zhuang tucked Xias against him, glaring at his father over the top of his mate’s head. Xias had already stated what he wanted. He had been claimed both as a mate and a clan member. Zhuang didn’t know how clearer the man could be about what he wanted.
“I’m sorry, my son, but you know it has to be this way. If Osamu gets his chance to to talk to Xias, and Xias goes on record saying no, then there is nothing the man can do. Unless Xias listens to him, Osamu can always come back to the council and file a complaint.”
“What about the cubs?” Zhuang asked.
“They go where Xias goes.”
Damn. Sometimes a rule worked for someone and sometimes it worked against them.
“I don’t want Xias left alone with Osamu at any time,” Zhuang said. “That bastard has done enough to him. I don’t want him to get another chance to hurt Xias.”
“Council enforcers will be with him at all times.”
Xias lifted his head and glanced toward the elder. “Will you be there?”
“As my son is one of the alphas involved in this situation, I cannot. Another elder will be there, though. Osamu will have no chance to hurt you or threaten you in any way. The entire thing will be recorded for council records.”
Zhuang almost smiled. “That’s a good thing, Xias. If at any time in the future he says he wasn’t given a fair shot, it will be on record. All you have to do is listen to him. You don’t even have to speak to him except to tell him no when he’s all done yapping.”
“Zhuang, you cannot pressure Xias,” his father admonished. “He needs to make his own decision without your influence.”
Zhuang barely controlled his urge to roll his eyes. Xias had already made his choice. That should have been enough. He had stated over and over again what he wanted. If he didn’t know this whole thing had to be played out according to council rule, he’d be pitching a fit right now.
“I don’t want the cubs in there with him,” Xias said. “I don’t trust him.”
Zhuang couldn’t blame him. “The cubs can stay with me and Tao.”
“I could take the cubs back home with me,” Zhuang’s mother said.
