Chapter 2

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.:Author's Note:.

Madeline at the top.

"Your Song" by Elton John.

***

Liam's POV:

Since my family had moved to Grave Town on a Wednesday, I had the rest of the week and the whole weekend to myself before I had to start school. I decided to spend those few days in my favorite part of the new house, the basement. I walked down the steps, flicking on the lights at the top, and almost smiled as my feet landed on the soft carpet as I reached the bottom.

Glancing around the recording studio, I felt a sense of comfort. My fingers ran over the dials on the soundboard as I glanced into the soundproof recording booth through the one-way glass. The entire room's theme was burgundy, my favorite color. It allowed my safe haven to be dark, just the way I liked it.

My dad was a booking agent for musicians. Since his boss had relocated him on such short notice, I received a recording studio from him as a gift. Papa knew that I loved making music, whether it was with instruments or just my voice. I was extremely grateful when he surprised me with this room after we had finished unpacking two days ago.

After taking in my fill of the now familiar room, I turned on the soundboard and pressed record. Entering the recording booth, I gently closed the door behind me before taking a seat at the keyboard. Once my microphone was set up, I started playing a song that I learned a few weeks ago. The memorized notes filled my head as I gently stroked the keys to match.

Once the intro was done, I started singing along with the music. "Your Song" by Elton John had to be one of the softest songs I had the liberty of learning. It was filled with so much passion, causing me to close my eyes as I sang the lyrics. I didn't have to look in the mirror to know that my face looked carefree as my fingers moved over the keys gracefully.

Since I didn't like doing anything in front of people, I was relieved to find that Paap used a one-way glass so that I wouldn't be able to tell if people were on the other side watching and listening to me. It helped to imagine that I was the only one in the room.

I opened my eyes with a soft smile as I came to the ending of the song. Just as I was about to get up so that I could stop recording, Papa's voice drifted into the booth.

"That was amazing, Lima Bean." He said, causing my eyes to widen in shock as a blush ran to my cheeks. I looked at myself in the mirror, not sure exactly where on the other side of the glass he was standing.

"Thank you, Papa. I learned it a few weeks ago." I mumbled as I scratched the back of my neck nervously. Was he listening to me the entire time?

"Well, I have the recording saved for you if you want to play it back. However, that will have to wait. There are some guests here to meet us."

I froze in fear as I looked in the mirror. Guests? I don't do well with guests.

"H-how many, Papa?" I whispered nervously as the anxiety crept up my spine.

"Just four, Lima Bean. I promise, they mean no harm." He tried to convince me, but that only caused me to stand up and pace the booth.

"Can I meet them another time?" I questioned desperately, not at all looking forward to meeting our four guests. What if they didn't like me? What if I made them uncomfortable? I had to admit, I was a pretty awkward soul and I didn't do well with new people.

If I was reacting this way to four new people, imagine what would happen if I went to school in two days.

"My little lamb, do you trust me?" It was my mother's voice that caused me to stop my pacing and look in the mirror once again. My face was now flushed and my eyes showed that I was definitely worried. I nodded my head, knowing that she was watching me because I felt like I would puke if I tried to speak.

"Then trust me when I say that these guests will not hurt you."

I bit my lip as the familiar itch surfaced in my fingertips. The cold sweat was appearing on the back of my neck as I nodded my head again. I tentatively turned off the keyboard before making my way to the booth's door. As I opened it, I was greeted by my mother's smiling face. Immediately, I walked into her arms and hugged her.

Just as I inhaled her scent, four other strong smells drifted up my nose. I froze as I glanced over my mother's shoulder to see four different pairs of eyes watching us, me in particular.

Lions. They were lion shifters!

Papa walked over to me and my mother, gently separating us so that we could look at our guests. I hid behind him, taking a peek at the lions through the space between his torso and arm. They were watching my meltdown in the recording booth the whole time!

The thought caused an embarrassing blush to fill my cheeks as I tightly gripped my father's loose shirt.

"Hello, Liam." The oldest looking lion said softly. I looked at him, noting that he had brown hair and green eyes. I could only tell he was older due to his laugh lines and the slight gray streaks in his hair. He was also very tall, causing me to take an involuntary step back although I was still hiding behind Papa.

"Hello, Sir." I whispered, hoping that he could hear me. I guess he did because he smiled, showing off two rows of perfectly white teeth. You're blinding me, Mr. Older Lion.

"These are my children, Madeline and Blake." He said while pointing to a girl and boy. Much like their father, Madeline and Blake had brown hair and green eyes. I waved shyly, causing them to do the same as they looked at me with small smiles.

"This is my best friend, Dimitri." Blake introduced the guy he was standing next to. Dimitri was just as tall as Blake and Mr. Older Lion. He had brown hair just like the rest of them too, but while their eyes were green, his own was brown. I waved to him also, which he returned with a smile.

"It's nice to meet all of y-you." I said truthfully as another blush invaded my cheeks. "I-I've never met lions before."

My mumbled confession caused the four guests to laugh lightly. I found myself being drawn to Blake's laughter in particular. It was deep and smooth and I noticed that I really enjoyed the sound of it. Unfortunately, it ceased, and Madeline was the first to respond.

"Well, Blake, Dimitri, and I have never met sheep shifters either, so I guess it's a first for all of us." She said with a comforting grin. I nodded before hesitantly stepping from behind my Papa. So far, the lions have done nothing to harm me, making me relax a bit. I still didn't wander too far from Papa's side though. I just wanted to get a good look at them.

"How about we continue this conversation in the living room?" Ma questioned. "I'm sure you all would love to have a seat."

Everyone except me nodded as I felt myself becoming nervous again. Almost immediately, three growls sounded in the room, directed at me. I squealed and hid behind Papa again as Mr. Older Lion calmed down the roaring lions. My heart raced as I peeked through the space again, watching as he held the three of them in firm grips. How can he do that with only two arms?

Once he did quiet the three, he looked at me and my parents apologetically.

"Sorry about them. Their lions enjoy the smell of fear." He explained. Can I lock myself in a room now?

I found it hard to believe that my parents weren't fearing the lions at all. In fact, they were pretty calm as they rubbed any part of my body they could touch, instantly calming me down.

"I know how it goes with lions." Papa said, waving his hand dismissively. "Fortunately, my wife and I have encountered many of them through our jobs. Unfortunately, Liam has not. It will take some getting used to for him."

My face could fry eggs with the way it heated up as all eyes looked at me. I stayed hidden behind Papa, not at all liking how Madeline's, Dimitri's, and Blake's eyes were dark with predatory intentions. Please stop looking at me.

"I'll take them upstairs to calm them down a bit." Mr. Older Lion said. I released a sigh of relief when they were finally out of the basement. Papa quickly turned around, causing me to bury my face in his chest as Ma rubbed my back soothingly. I shuddered, not sure where the sudden tears came from, soaking Papa's shirt.

"I can't g-go to school Monday." I mumbled nervously. There was no way I would be able to handle a school full of predators. I mean, look how I reacted with only three lions. Mr. Older Lion didn't count because he was nice and didn't look at me hungrily.

"I was thinking the same thing." Ma stated, causing me to pause before looking at her hopefully.

"A-are you saying that I don't have to?"

"I don't think it's a great idea." She said nervously while glancing at me and Papa. "Think about it, Jerald. If Liam responded to three predators like this, how do you think he'll respond to a school of them? I think we should continue with a homeschool teacher."

I wiped away the tears as I looked at Papa hopefully. He had a thoughtful look on his face as he looked at me. After some time, he sighed before nodding.

"You're most likely right, Angie. I think it would be best." He finally replied. I squealed as I hugged him tightly, causing him to laugh. Ma joined our embrace before we all calmed down. Thank God!

"Now, we just have to find a homeschool teacher on short notice." Ma said as we headed up the stairs. I walked behind them, not wanting to be the center of attention as we reached the top. We entered the living room, catching the attention of the four lions. Mr. Older Lion must've been scolding Blake, Madeline, and Dimitri if the way their eyes were downcast was any indication. I stayed behind Papa, making him unable to take a seat like Ma had.

"We're sorry." Blake was the first to speak. I was shocked to see that he was talking to me in particular. I moved Papa's arm a little just to widen the space I was peeking through so that I could see him properly. There was an apologetic smile on his face, just like his sister and best friend. They no longer looked hungry, and instead looked quite friendly. I found myself smiling as my cheeks turn red, looking down at their nice shoes.

"It's o-okay." I mumbled before reducing the space again. My action caused everyone to laugh and the blush to travel up to the tip of my ears. I'm not that funny.

"So, not to intrude or anything, but we overheard you guys talking about needing a homeschool teacher for Liam. As an apology, I would like to offer my services." Mr. Older Lion said. I should really find out his name, but no way was I going to ask him for it.

"Really?" Ma asked in surprise. "You must be a busy man! We don't want to take you away from your work."

Mr. Older Lion laughed before waving his hand dismissively. Much like Blake's, it was rich and smooth, letting me know exactly where he got it from.

"I didn't mean myself." Mr. Older Lion elaborated. "I meant that I can help you find the right teacher for him. I know many people who are looking for work and would love to homeschool your son."

My grip on Papa's shirt didn't loosen as I continued to listen to them talk. It was very nice of Mr. Older Lion to offer his services to my family. However, I couldn't help but feel like a bother. He didn't have to do that for us. I didn't let the thought bother me too much as I looked sideways at Ma. She was thinking it over, and I knew what her response would be as soon as the smile graced her lips.

Before she could respond, however, Blake spoke up.

"I can do it."

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