Page 19 of Swipe Right on the Alpha
“Let him handle this,” Theo said, his features already beginning to shift back toward fully human. “We need to talk anyway. I believe I owe you an ‘I told you so’ about paying attention.”
Chapter 11
Back at the cabin, Aiden sat at the kitchen island while Theo prepared coffee with surprising domesticity given his still slightly pointed ears and elongated canines.
“So,” Aiden said when the silence became unbearable. “Werewolves are real.”
Theo snorted, sliding a mug across the counter. “Among other things, yes. Welcome to the supernatural world, Aiden. It’s been here all along, just hidden in plain sight.”
“Other things? Like what the app mentioned—vampires, witches?”
“LunaLove,” Theo groaned. “I still can’t believe you downloaded it accidentally. It’s supposed to have verification protocols to prevent humans from accessing it unless invited by a supernatural being.”
“It asked some weird questions,” Aiden recalled. “I thought it was just quirky branding.”
“It’s legitimate supernatural matchmaking,” Theo explained, leaning against the counter. “Created by a coven of witches for cross-species dating. Highly effective, as you and Dylan are proving.”
Aiden took a long sip of coffee, buying time to organize his thoughts. “So when Dylan and I matched with 99.8% compatibility…”
“The highest I’ve ever seen,” Theo confirmed. “It means you’re legitimate mates in the werewolf sense. Fated partners.Which is why those assholes showed up claiming territorial rights. Unmated humans with mate potential are rare and valuable.”
“I’m feeling very objectified right now,” Aiden muttered.
“Not an object—a prize,” Theo corrected. “Though Dylan would kill me for putting it that way. He’s been trying to figure out how to tell you for weeks. He was terrified you’d run screaming.”
“I’m still processing the ‘not running screaming’ part,” Aiden admitted. “So all the weird stuff—the full moon restlessness, the enhanced senses, the territorial behavior—”
“All wolf traits,” Theo confirmed. “We’re not the Hollywood version. We don’t transform only during the full moon, though our wolves are strongest then. We can shift at will, partially or fully. We age slower than humans, heal faster, and yes, silver actually does hurt like a bitch.”
“And the pack is…?”
“Family, but more. A bonded group under an alpha’s protection and leadership. Dylan inherited the position when his father died five years ago. He’s responsible for everyone in Silverwood territory—about thirty wolves total, though you’ve only met the inner circle.”
Aiden’s head was spinning with information. “And I’m supposedly his mate? Like, werewolf married?”
Theo’s expression grew more serious. “Potential mate. The bond isn’t completed yet. That’s a whole process involving—” he hesitated. “Well, certain intimate aspects I’ll let Dylan explain. But it’s significant. Werewolves mate for life.”
The weight of that statement hung in the air between them. Aiden struggled to reconcile the mythology suddenly made real with the man he’d been dating—the Dylan who cooked him breakfast, who listened attentively to his stories, who held him with such care afterward.
“He’s still the same person,” Theo said quietly, as if reading Aiden’s thoughts. “Just with some extra… features.”
Before Aiden could respond, the front door opened and Dylan entered—fully human now, though his movements carried the same intense energy Aiden had observed in his transformed state. He stopped just inside the doorway, eyes finding Aiden’s with an expression of such vulnerability it made Aiden’s chest ache.
“They’re gone,” Dylan said, still not moving closer. “For now.”
Theo looked between them and quietly excused himself. “I’ll check the perimeter,” he said, slipping past Dylan and out the door.
For a long moment after Theo’s departure, neither of them spoke. Dylan remained by the door as if uncertain of his welcome, while Aiden stayed perched on the bar stool, fingers wrapped around his coffee mug.
“So,” Aiden finally broke the silence. “Werewolf.”
Dylan nodded once, tension visible in every line of his body. “Yes.”
“Were you ever going to tell me?”
“Tomorrow,” Dylan said immediately. “I had it all planned. Dinner, careful explanation, demonstration if you wanted. Not… whatever this was.”
“A territory dispute over me, apparently,” Aiden said, unable to keep a hint of disbelief from his voice. “Theo explained some of it.”
