The mansion kitchen was unusually quiet.
Hazel stood in the center of it.
The stainless steel counters reflected soft yellow light from the ceiling lamps.
Earlier, she had sent all the maids away.
Every single one.
"I want to cook myself," she had said.
They looked shocked.
But obeyed.
Now the kitchen belonged to her.
Hazel opened the refrigerator slowly.
She was hungry.
Not pack ceremonial hungry.
Just normal human hungry.
Which was honestly confusing because her body was changing slowly.
Behind her, the kitchen door opened quietly.
She didn't turn.
She already knew who it was.
"You dismissed everyone," Ryan said calmly.
"Yes."
"Why?"
Hazel removed vegetables from the refrigerator.
"Because I want peace."
Silence followed.
Ryan walked slowly into the kitchen.
Not too close.
Not far.
Hazel started cutting vegetables carefully.
She was not bad at it.
Just inexperienced.
Ryan watched silently.
Then said:
"You are very particular about independence."
Hazel didn't look at him.
"Yes."
"Even inside my territory."
"Yes."
Pause.
Then Ryan spoke quietly.
"You are my mate."
The knife in Hazel's hand paused slightly.
Not because she was shocked.
But because something inside her chest tightened strangely.
She continued cutting vegetables.
"You like saying that," she said.
"Yes."
Silence.
Then Ryan added softly:
"You are blushing."
Hazel's cutting slowed.
"I am not."
Ryan stepped closer slowly.
Not touching.
Just standing behind her.
Close enough that she could feel his presence.
Close enough that the kitchen air felt heavier.
"Mmm," Ryan said quietly.
"You are stubborn when embarrassed."
Hazel frowned slightly.
"I am not embarrassed."
Ryan leaned slightly closer.
His voice dropped.
"Mate."
The word was said slowly.
Like testing her reaction.
Hazel's heart beat slightly faster.
She didn't move away.
But she didn't turn around either.
Ryan continued teasing quietly.
"You sent everyone away because you wanted to cook alone."
"Yes."
"Because you don't like being watched."
"Yes."
Silence.
Ryan's hand slowly moved — but stopped halfway before touching her shoulder.
Hazel noticed.
She didn't say anything.
But she did not move away either.
Outside the kitchen window—
Someone was watching.
Mila.
Her witch eyes were calm.
Careful.
Measuring.
Observing.
Inside the kitchen, Ryan spoke again softly.
"You are improving in pack adaptation."
Hazel scoffed slightly.
"Nick is a good teacher."
Ryan didn't respond immediately.
Then said quietly:
"Yes."
Silence stretched.
The vegetables were almost ready.
Hazel added oil to the pan and started cooking.
Ryan spoke again.
"You are allowing me closer today."
Hazel paused.
Then said quietly:
"Don't misunderstand."
Ryan's voice was low.
"I do not misunderstand anything about you."
The words were calm.
But heavy.
Hazel felt her chest tighten slightly again.
She hated how aware she was of him.
Behind the kitchen glass window—
Mila's eyes narrowed slightly.
Observing.
Thinking.
Planning quietly.
Inside the kitchen, Ryan finally stepped back slightly.
Giving her space.
But before leaving, he said softly:
"Mate."
Just once.
Hazel did not respond.
But her fingers tightened slightly around the cooking spoon.
Because she did not move away when he stood close earlier.
And that scared her more than she wanted to admit.