The manor was huge, anyone would think that a manor would be big because of what it's called but the one in front of Liam was way bigger then any mansion he had seen before. He has only seen them on his phone though, he wasn't rich in his previous life.
It was also more dignified then the ones he had seen before, it had more of an ancient style than the modern buildings he was used to seeing. It kinda reminded him of Hogwarts except that it wasn't a castle. It looked kinda eeri in the evening.
The gates opened after his Grandfather knocked, Liam half expected them to creek but they didn't. He walked on the gateway with his Grandfather, the door to the manor opening just as they reached it. There was a butler standing there, Liam just assumed he was a butler since it was usually the butler to welcome guests at the door. He had watched many shows like this in his previous life.
"Welcome! It is Elder Xanthos I presume?" The butler said as he bowed slightly while smiling. He was like every other butler Liam read about in novels, middle aged, gentle looking and elegant.
Maddox just nodded curtly and followed the butler inside, Liam behind them looking around curiously. The manor wasn't as lavish on the inside, it looked rather simple. Liam was expecting to see antiques and decorations all around. His Grandfather stopped and he gestured Liam to come to him. He clasped Liam's shoulder gently with one hand and walked inside what seemed to be the banquet.
Liam continued to explore the place with his eyes as he walked. It was like the high class banquets he used to see on tv, long tables with desserts and well dressed people walking around with wine glasses in hand. The only difference would probably be that not all women were dressed in gowns, some were in suits and some in combat clothes. It was probably due to the existence of second genders in this world. And as Liam passed by people he confirmed his thoughts, those wearing suits and combat clothes were all alpha females. They tended to be more masculine and rarely wore dresses, kinda like tom boys in his previous world.
"Maddox! You came... and this must be the boy?" Liam looked up at the man speaking it was a rough looking man. He was wearing a sleeve-less shirt with the buttons half undone and jeans. Even with his casual attire he seemed to kinda fit in with the otherwise luxurious banquet.
"I said I would come so I did, and this is my grandson William Aiden Xanthos." His Grandfather said rudely as he lightly punched the guy on his shoulder. Liam was surprised because except for his family, Maddox was really close with anyone else. 'Must be his friend' Liam thought and smiled at the man to make a good impression.
"Such a nice kid, Kanna told me about him." The man beamed at him, his canines were sharper then normal. He could tell from his scent that the man was a werewolf. Lian was a little confused about what he said and looked at his Grandfather.
His Grandfather explained seeing him confused, turns out the man in front was the alpha (meaning leader not the second gender) of the pack Liam had encountered earlier today, the one that attacked criminal hideout. Liam had helped them when he knocked out (killed) the guards and surrounded the house in fog. The pack had been meaning to attack the place because they were kidnapping a lot of kids from the pack and other shifters.
This was a banquet for were-beasts, they were the creatures that could shift in normal animals instead of mythical creatures like dragons and qilins. They were more powerful than the normal animals whom their shifts looked like but they were called that because their shifts existed as animals.
Anyways, his Grandfather was here to thank the pack and talk about some business stuff. Liam listened a little but soon got bored and slowly slipped away. He walked here and there aimlessly until he reached the garden. He looked around while eating a cupcake, he then continued walking aimlessly forgetting his lesson from the morning.
He stopped as he saw a bunny sitting on the grass and nibbling something. It reminded Liam of a pet rabbit his younger brother used to have. This one was much cuter though with pink swirling patterns on it, it was glowing softly in the moonlight. Liam silently approached it from behind and picked it up.
The rabbit dropped whatever was in it's mouth and struggled in panic. It kicked it's powerful hindlegs almost hitting Liam on the face.
"Calm down, I'm only playing, I will not hurt you." Liam tried to calm it down as he spoke softly while petting it's head. The rabbit calmed down a little but Liam could see the tears in it's eyes and it's aggrieved face. It made a 'chi chi' sound like calling Liam a bad guy.
"Fine! I'll put you down, don't run away though. Believe me I'll catch you." Liam attempted to scare him as he put the bunny down.
It quickly ran behind a bush, a light flashed before Liam could purse him and he heard a soft thud. A boy appeared from behind the bush, Liam nearly awed as he saw him. The boy looked cute and innocent with rabbit ears on his head that were facing down. He had an aggrieved expression reminding Liam of the expression on the bunny. His eyes were teary as he walked in front of Liam slowly, he looked at Liam like saying 'look I'm not a rabbit'.
"Oh sorry! I didn't know you were a shifter, my bad. I'm William by the way, you can just call me Liam." Liam grinned at the kid, he instantly liked the innocent boy and decided to make a friend.
"I- l am M-michail." The boy said as he stuttered a little, Liam could tell he was an omega. They were usually rather shy and introverted. The boy seemed a little pleasantly surprised by Liam's smiling.
"Michail I'm a little lost. Can you show me the way to the hall?" Liam asked smilingly, he wasn't really lost his grandfather had just given him a locater magic tool but he was looking for a reason to talk. He has become more extroverted after coming to this world but he has never made friends before so he was kinda at a loss.
"The h-hall?" Michail looked a little freaked out by the thought his ears standing at alert.
"It's fine if you don't want to, I can look around." Liam said feeling kinda sad, his first attempt at making a friend ending in failure.
"N-no I c-can take you t-there." Michael waved his hand hurriedly, his stutter getting worse. He looked genuine making Liam happy.
"Okay then, you guide the way. I'm here with my Grandfather by the way..." Liam dragged Michail's arm as he started talking. Michail looked at him with his big glossy eyes and nodded seriously.
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"Well we're back! Thanks Michail." Liam said as he searched in his head thinking how he should ask Michail to continue staying here.
"Liam, can I ask you something?" Michail looked at him, his face like he had finally made a serious decision.
"Sure!"
"Are w-we friends now?" He asked quietly as he looked at Liam like he would cry if he said no.
Liam nearly laughed, he had forgotten that they were still kids and he didn't need to think and plan before talking.
"Of course, we are." Liam said grinning brightly, Michail whose eyes had turned teary after his silence also smiled and giggled. They both looked at each other and laughed stupidly.
"There you are kid. I've been looking for you all over, where were you?" His Grandfather's gruff voice came from behind him giving Liam deja vu.
"Looks like you found Michail, Maddox this is my adopted son. Isn't he adorable?" Maddox's friend appeared from behind him and picked up Michail who squeaked in shock.
"Yes he is quite cute, not better then our Liam. But since when do you have a son and aren't you a dog, why is he a rabbit?"
"I've told you many times, I'm a wolf not a dog. And I just adopted him a while ago. He was caught by the same jerks as today, I freed him before." His friend replied gruffly and soothed Michail by patting his head ,who looked like a literal deer in headlights.
"Same thing wolf or dog. Why did you free him only to torture him? Poor kid!" Liam yawned as he saw them bickering, Michail was already asleep on his dad's shoulders. Liam looked around bored and saw a small sign in front.
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