Page 6 of Swipe Right on the Alpha
Dylan couldn’t help but smile, though he kept his lips carefully closed to hide his slightly too-sharp teeth. “Like I said, full of surprises.”
“I’d like to discover more of those surprises,” Aiden said, his usual confidence returning as he straightened his rumpled shirt. “Maybe somewhere that’s not a restaurant parking lot?”
“I’d like that,” Dylan replied, forcing himself to step back though every instinct screamed to stay close. “I have a place outside the city. Maybe you could come for dinner this weekend?”
“Your mysterious forest cabin?” Aiden’s eyes sparkled with interest. “Sounds either wonderfully romantic or the start of a horror movie.”
“I promise not to eat you,” Dylan said, then immediately winced at the unfortunate phrasing.At least not in the way you’re thinking.
Aiden laughed, the sound bright in the quiet parking lot. “Don’t make promises you can’t keep, Mountain Man.” He opened his car door but paused before getting in. “For the record, this is the first date in years I’m actually excited to tell my followers about… even if I might leave out exactly how good you are with your hands.”
The possessive satisfaction that surged through Dylan at those words was almost overwhelming. He watched as Aiden drove away, only returning to his own vehicle when the taillights disappeared from view.
As he slid into the driver’s seat, his phone buzzed with a text:
AIDEN: Thanks for dinner. And the… dessert. Looking forward to seeing your natural habitat, Wildlife Manager.
Dylan smiled, allowing himself a moment of hope before reality crashed back in. He was an alpha werewolf who had just inadvertently started dating a human with no knowledge of the supernatural world. A human who shared his life online with hundreds of thousands of followers.
And his wolf had already decided this human was his mate.
What could possibly go wrong?
Chapter 4
“Remind me again why I agreed to drive forty minutes into the wilderness to meet a man I’ve only had one date with?” Aiden muttered into his phone camera as he navigated his compact car along the increasingly narrow road. “This is literally how every true crime podcast starts.”
He’d been documenting the journey for his Instagram stories, maintaining a running commentary that was equal parts excited and nervous. His followers were going wild—the mysterious “Mountain Man Dylan” had become something of a sensation after Aiden’s carefully edited recap of their first date.
Without the parking lot makeout session details, of course,Aiden thought, remembering how Dylan’s hands had felt gripping his ass, how that unexpected growl had sent shivers down his spine. Some things were still private… for now.
The GPS announced his arrival as the road opened to reveal a clearing with a surprisingly stylish cabin. Not the rustic shack Aiden had imagined, but a modern interpretation with large windows, a wraparound porch, and thoughtful landscaping that blended with the surrounding forest.
“Update: Mountain Man apparently has excellent taste in architecture,” Aiden informed his viewers as he parked beside Dylan’s rugged SUV. “Also, I’ve shared my location with three separate people and have pepper spray in my pocket, so if this is a trap, it’s a very poorly planned one.”
He did one quick mirror check—his burgundy button-up was still crisp despite the drive, hair artfully tousled, designer jeans hugging all the right places—before grabbing the bottle of wine he’d brought and heading to the door.
Before he could knock, the door swung open to reveal Dylan, and Aiden momentarily forgot how to breathe.
Gone was the awkwardly dressed man from the restaurant. This Dylan wore a simple black henley that clung to his muscular torso like a second skin, dark jeans that hung perfectly from narrow hips, and bare feet that somehow made the whole picture even more appealing. His dark hair was slightly damp, as if he’d recently showered, and his smile was warm if slightly nervous.
“You found it,” Dylan said, stepping back to let Aiden enter.
“Your directions were surprisingly precise for someone who works in ‘wildlife management,’” Aiden teased, hoping his sudden spike in attraction wasn’t completely obvious. “Nice place. Not at all what I expected.”
Dylan’s home was open and airy, with high ceilings and a wall of windows overlooking the forest. The décor was minimal but tasteful—comfortable-looking furniture, a few striking landscape photographs, and an impressive stone fireplace currently crackling with a welcoming fire.
“What were you expecting? Animal pelts and hunting trophies?” Dylan asked with a hint of amusement.
“Maybe a few more flannel shirts hanging from antlers,” Aiden admitted, handing over the wine. “Though I’m a little disappointed by the lack of taxidermy.”
Dylan’s smile widened. “Sorry to disappoint. The stuffed bear is at the cleaners.”
The joke—unexpected from the usually serious man—delighted Aiden. “He jokes! Mark the calendar.”
A delicious aroma wafted from the kitchen area, and Aiden noticed the beautifully set table visible through an archway. “Something smells amazing.”
“I made shepherd’s pie,” Dylan said, looking suddenly uncertain. “I should have asked if you had dietary restrictions.”
