Chapter 81: Texting Inbetween Cooking

Michael’s POV

I was in a better mood when I returned to my condo.

Lunch with Emerald had been enjoyable, and I had spent considerably more time with her than I had originally planned. I didn’t regret it.

Apparently, Draxen had been waiting for the opportunity to comment.

"You enjoyed yourself."

I ignored him and continued toward my study.

"You know I’m right."

"I am not discussing Emerald with you."

"You didn’t even let me finish."

"I know exactly where you’re going with this, and I’m not interested."

Draxen laughed. I stopped at the entrance of my study and looked down at my phone when it began to ring.

It was Alaric.

I slid my finger across the screen to answer. "What’s happened?"

"I have an update on the shapeshifter situation."

My attention was immediately brought back to the matter. "Go ahead."

"We’ve been following some of the families we discussed during the meeting. There has been more movement since then."

"What kind?"

"Suspicious activity around several of them. Nothing that would be enough on its own, but when we compare the reports, the pattern is becoming harder to dismiss."

I walked into my study and sat down. "How many families?"

"Several. Different locations, different circles, but there are similarities in the behaviour we’ve been observing."

"Are you seeing the same pattern we discussed?"

"Yes."

That was what I expected.

Our theory from the meeting had been that the shapeshifters were beginning to infiltrate wealthy and influential families, with the intention of taking control of the wealth, businesses and connections those families already possessed.

The information Alaric was giving me suggested that they weren’t simply considering it. They were putting it into motion.

"What makes you certain the activity is connected?" I asked.

"We compared reports from different teams. Some of the movements overlap, and we’ve also recorded behavioural changes in a few individuals who had no history of acting as they have recently. We have observations from people inside those circles, as well as surveillance from outside."

"And you believe this is forming a network?"

"A small one, yes. It isn’t fully established yet, but it appears to be developing."

I was silent for a moment. This was enough confirmation for me. "Send me everything."

"I already did."

I quickly settled into my seat and opened my laptop.

"The reports and the recordings are in the folder I sent. Go through them when you can," he said.

"I will."

There was a brief pause, then Alaric’s voice changed. "So, how is your relationship with Miss Hugo going?"

I frowned. "Why are you asking such questions? Did I tell you we have a relationship?"

He laughed. "If you didn’t have other thoughts or plans for Miss Hugo, you wouldn’t have reacted that way."

I frowned, wondering what he was going on about. Regardless of my thoughts, he continued, clearly amused.

"Besides, a professor and student relationship is still a relationship."

I leaned back in my chair. Alaric knew exactly what he was doing.

"Are you finished?" I asked.

"For now," he replied.

"Good."

"Go through those files," he said.

"I will," I agreed and ended the call.

I looked at the laptop in front of me for a moment before opening the folder Alaric had sent.

Most of the material consisted of written reports. Dates, locations, names and observations had been documented by the people monitoring the families.

I read through them carefully. The individual reports weren’t enough to prove anything on their own. But the similarities were difficult to ignore.

Several people had noticed sudden changes in the behaviour of certain family members. Some had begun attending meetings they previously avoided. Others had developed unusual interests in business dealings that had never concerned them before.

Then I opened the video files. They were short clips recorded during meetings and public gatherings.

One showed a wealthy businessman behaving in a manner completely inconsistent with the personality described in earlier reports.

Another showed a woman during a family meeting. Her responses were unusually aggressive, and she appeared far more interested in gaining control of a particular business decision than anyone had expected.

I watched another. Then another. By the time I reached the final clip, the pattern was clear enough.

The meeting in Los Angeles was no longer based on speculation. We had been right. The shapeshifters were moving.

I closed the final video and immediately called Alaric back. "I’ve gone through the files," I said to him as soon as the call connected.

"And?"

"We need to move now."

There was no hesitation in his response. "I agree."

"We should conduct a sweep and dismantle this network before it grows any larger."

"That was my thought as well."

"We cannot allow them to establish themselves inside more families."

"We won’t."

I glanced at the reports still open on my screen. "Send word to the Alpha King."

"Actually, I was thinking the same thing."

I wasn’t surprise that Alaric had the similar thoughts as me. This was one of the reasons we get along quite well.

"Go ahead. And inform the remaining five Primogens."

"Don’t worry, I will handle it," he assured me.

"Keep me updated."

"I will."

I ended the call, leaned back in my chair, and let out a slow breath. Then my eyes drifted toward the window.

I hadn’t noticed how late it had become.

The city outside was already dark, the lights from the buildings scattered across the distance.

I needed to make dinner, and my stomach reminded me. I closed the laptop, picked up my phone and stood.

I wasn’t ordering takeout tonight.

I walked out of the study and headed toward the kitchen, already trying to decide what I could make quickly.

---

I walked into the kitchen and opened the refrigerator.

There wasn’t much left, but there was enough for dinner.

After looking through what I had, I decided on a creamy white bean and kale soup. I would have it with some rice.

It was simple enough to prepare, and I wasn’t in the mood to spend another hour in the kitchen.

I placed everything I needed on the counter and began preparing the ingredients.

The kale took the most attention, so I washed it thoroughly before chopping it into smaller pieces.

I had just finished when my phone chimed from the counter.

I glanced toward it but didn’t pick it up. My hands were still wet, and there was no reason to stop what I was doing just to check a message.

I wiped my hands, moved on to the remaining ingredients, and only picked up my phone after I had finished washing and chopping everything.

It was Emerald.

I opened the message.

"Hi! Sorry for only checking in now. Did you get home safely?"

A smile appeared on my face. I typed my response.

"Yes. I got home safely."

I placed the phone back on the counter and returned to what I was doing.

The beans went into the pot, followed by the other ingredients. I started preparing the base for the soup while keeping an eye on the rice cooking beside it.

Another chime came from my phone. I ignored it. I wanted to finish the cooking preparation before touching the phone again.

Once everything was ready and both pots were on the stove, I finally picked it up. Emerald had replied.

"I’m relieved. Are you busy?"

I frowned slightly at the question before typing back.

"Why are you asking?"

I put the phone down and turned my attention back to the soup. A few minutes later, another chime sounded.

I continued stirring.

It wasn’t until I had adjusted the heat and checked the rice that I finally picked up the phone again.

Her message made me smile.

"You’re taking so long to respond. I hope I’m not disturbing you."

I replied immediately this time.

"You’re not a distraction. I’m making dinner in the kitchen."

I placed the phone back on the counter. It chimed almost immediately. I sighed quietly. Emerald was certainly getting comfortable with me.

I picked up the phone again and read her message.

"What are you making?"

I typed my answer.

"Creamy white bean and kale soup. I’m making rice as well."

I put the phone down and returned to the stove. The soup needed my attention, and I was cooking two things at once.

Another chime came from the counter. I didn’t check it. I stirred the soup, tasted it, adjusted the seasoning slightly, then checked the rice.

By the time I was satisfied with both dishes, the kitchen smelled considerably better than it had when I walked in.

I turned off the stove and began plating my dinner. Once everything was ready, I carried my plate to the dining table.

I then returned to the kitchen for my phone, opened the refrigerator and took out a bottle of water. I grabbed a glass as well before returning to the dining table.

I poured myself some water and finally checked my phone. Emerald had sent another message.

"When you’re done cooking, take a picture of what you made and send it to me."

I stared at the message for a moment, then let out a quiet chuckle. She really was getting comfortable.

I took a picture of the two dishes in front of me with my phone. After checking that it had come out properly, I sent it to her.

I placed the phone beside my plate, still smiling, then picked up my fork and started eating.