Page 14 of Swipe Right on the Alpha
“The famous Aiden Reynolds,” the man said, his grin widening as he looked between them. “About time our alpha brought you around.”
Dylan made a warning sound low in his throat that Aiden might have imagined. “Aiden, this is Theo. My oldest friend and biggest pain in my ass.”
“Alpha?” Aiden questioned, shaking Theo’s offered hand.
“Figure of speech,” Theo said smoothly, though his eyes danced with amusement. “Dylan’s always been our fearless leader. Come in, everyone’s dying to meet you.”
The interior of the house was impressive—open concept with high ceilings, modern furnishings mixed with natural elements,and massive windows overlooking the property. A group of people were gathered in the great room, conversation pausing as Aiden and Dylan entered.
“Everyone, this is Aiden,” Dylan announced, his hand resting possessively at the small of Aiden’s back. “Aiden, meet the pa—the crew.”
Introductions came quickly: Elena and her partner Sofia, a striking couple who moved with unusual grace; Marcus, a mountain of a man with friendly eyes who squeezed Aiden’s hand just firmly enough to make a point; Liam, younger than the others with an easy smile; and Nora, whose sharp gaze seemed to assess Aiden with unnerving thoroughness.
“We’ve heard so much about you,” Elena said, her accent hinting at Eastern European origins.
“All good things, I hope,” Aiden replied with his practiced social smile.
“Mostly how you smell,” Theo called from where he was arranging drinks, earning another warning look from Dylan.
“How I… smell?” Aiden repeated, confused.
“He means your cologne,” Dylan said quickly. “I mentioned liking it.”
The group exchanged glances that Aiden couldn’t interpret, an undercurrent of communication happening beneath the surface. He’d experienced similar moments with Dylan—references or jokes that seemed to have double meanings, terminology that felt significant in ways he didn’t understand.
“Drinks!” Theo announced, saving the moment from awkwardness. “Aiden, what’s your poison?”
The gathering relaxed as alcohol flowed and conversations broke into smaller groups. Aiden found himself surprisingly comfortable despite being the newcomer. Dylan’s friends were welcoming if slightly odd—they all seemed to have inside jokes about the moon, referred to people as having different “scents,”and occasionally used terms like “territory” and “pack” in contexts that didn’t quite make sense.
Theo appointed himself Aiden’s personal guide, pulling him aside while Dylan was deep in conversation with Marcus about something involving property boundaries.
“So, influencer man,” Theo said, refilling Aiden’s glass with expensive whiskey. “How are you finding our Dylan? Still think he’s just an outdoorsy weirdo?”
Aiden nearly choked on his drink. “He told you about that?”
Theo’s laugh was genuine. “He tells us everything. Well, almost everything. Some details he keeps private, thank god.”
“He’s… not what I expected when I downloaded that app,” Aiden admitted. “In the best possible way.”
“LunaLove has a knack for matching the right people,” Theo said with a strange emphasis. “Even when one of them doesn’t fully understand what they’re signing up for.”
Before Aiden could question the cryptic statement, Theo changed subjects. “So what’s the deal with your job? Dylan explained it, but he’s technologically challenged. You record your life and people… pay you for it?”
“Oversimplified, but essentially,” Aiden said, grateful for the familiar topic. “I share dating stories, lifestyle content, sponsored products. I built an audience that companies want to reach.”
“And Dylan? Is he content too?” Theo’s casual tone didn’t quite mask the importance of the question.
Aiden considered carefully before answering. “He’s part of my life, so he’s mentioned. But not in detail. Some things are private.”
Theo studied him with unexpected seriousness. “Good answer. He’s protective of his privacy. Has to be, given… everything.”
“Given what?” Aiden pressed, sensing an opening.
Theo’s expression shifted to something more guarded. “His position. Responsibilities. Family expectations.”
It was another non-answer in a growing collection. Before Aiden could push further, Dylan appeared at his side, hand immediately finding its place at the small of Aiden’s back in what was becoming a familiar gesture.
“Everything okay here?” Dylan asked, his tone light but eyes watchful.
