The kitchen was quiet except for the soft sound of cooking oil on the pan.
Hazel was about to flip the vegetables when suddenly—
Ryan reached beside her and gently took the wooden spoon from her hand.
Hazel froze slightly.
"Hey—"
"Let me," Ryan said quietly.
She frowned.
"You don't cook."
"I can cook."
Hazel scoffed softly.
"Alpha ego."
Ryan ignored the comment.
He stirred the food slowly.
Carefully.
Not rushing.
Not showing off.
Just making sure the heat was right.
Hazel watched him silently.
The kitchen light reflected slightly in his dark eyes.
After a moment Ryan added seasoning.
Not too much.
Not too little.
Perfect balance.
Hazel blinked slightly.
"You are surprisingly good at this," she said.
Ryan answered calmly.
"Demon bloodline remembers survival skills."
Hazel didn't respond.
She felt something strange watching him cook for her.
Not romantic yet.
Not fully emotional.
Just… warm.
Uncomfortable warmth.
Ryan finished cooking and transferred the food onto a plate.
He placed it gently on the table near her.
"Eat," he said.
Hazel hesitated slightly.
Then sat down.
She tasted the food.
Paused.
Then said quietly:
"It's good."
Ryan nodded once.
Silence returned.
Hazel ate slowly.
Ryan stood near the counter watching her eat.
Not staring aggressively.
Just observing.
Like he wanted to make sure she was okay.
Then suddenly—
Ryan's eyes darkened slightly.
Liam's voice entered his mind.
"Alpha."
Pack mind-link.
Ryan responded silently.
"Speak."
Liam's voice was serious.
"Devourer pressure is increasing inside territory."
Ryan's expression did not change.
Hazel noticed.
Because his aura shifted slightly.
"What is it?" she asked.
Ryan did not answer immediately.
Inside his mind, Liam continued.
"It is psychological pressure."
"No physical manifestation yet."
"But pack members are feeling watched."
Ryan's eyes narrowed slightly.
Hazel spoke again.
"Ryan."
He looked at her.
"Yes?"
"You are thinking about something dangerous."
Silence.
Ryan spoke slowly.
"The Devourer is testing territory stability."
Hazel frowned.
"Testing?"
"Yes."
"How?"
Ryan answered quietly.
"Fear projection."
Hazel blinked.
"What does that mean?"
Ryan placed his hands slowly on the kitchen counter.
"It means he is trying to make my pack feel hunted without attacking."
Hazel's jaw tightened.
"Psychological war."
"Yes."
Silence followed.
Then Ryan added softly:
"Do not leave the mansion alone tonight."
Hazel scoffed.
"I am not your prisoner."
Ryan nodded.
"I know."
Pause.
Then he said quietly:
"But the Devourer is trying to break you mentally before attacking physically."
Hazel's fingers tightened slightly around the spoon.
Outside the mansion—
Wind moved strangely across the pack territory.
Pack members walking outside suddenly felt uncomfortable.
Like something was watching from the dark horizon.
Inside the kitchen—
Hazel finished eating.
She stood slowly.
Ryan did not move closer.
But he said quietly:
"You are stronger than the pressure you feel."
Hazel didn't answer.
Because she was not sure she believed him.
But she did not move away when he stood near her earlier.
And that thought alone was already dangerous.