Page 8 of Swipe Right on the Alpha (Fur Real Love #1)
“Should influencers date their followers? Hard no from me, but let me know your thoughts in the comments!” Aiden finished his weekly Q&A session with a practiced smile before ending the Instagram live.
The moment the camera stopped recording, he dropped the cheerful expression, rubbing his temples against the headache brewing there.
Three sponsorship deadlines, two pending brand collaboration negotiations, and an inbox full of unanswered messages had him questioning his career choices this morning.
His phone pinged with a text, and Aiden felt the tension instantly ease when he saw Dylan’s name.
DYLAN: Still good for tonight? Theo is unreasonably excited to meet you.
Aiden smiled, warmth replacing his earlier stress.
In the month they’d been dating, Dylan had mentioned his friend Theo often but seemed strangely reluctant to introduce Aiden to his social circle.
Tonight would be the first time Aiden was meeting any of Dylan’s “pack” as he sometimes oddly referred to his friends.
AIDEN: Wouldn’t miss it. Should I bring anything?
DYLAN: Just yourself. Theo’s handling the food. He’s showing off.
AIDEN: Should I be intimidated?
DYLAN: He’s harmless. Mostly. Just ignore any embarrassing stories.
AIDEN: Now I’m DEFINITELY asking for embarrassing stories.
Dylan’s response was delayed enough that Aiden had already started getting ready when it came through.
DYLAN: Just remember they’re important to me. And a little… different.
The cryptic warning was typical Dylan—hints of something unusual without clear explanation.
Over the past month, Aiden had compiled a mental list of Dylan’s peculiarities: the restlessness during the full moon, the occasional too-quick movements, his uncanny ability to hear or smell things beyond normal range, and the intense possessiveness that emerged during intimate moments.
At this point, I’m half-convinced he really is some kind of supernatural creature, Aiden thought with amusement as he selected his outfit—premium dark jeans, a forest green button-up that Dylan had once said brought out his eyes, and fashionable but comfortable shoes suitable for a casual barbecue.
Mason appeared in his doorway, leaning against the frame with arms crossed. “Another night with Mountain Man?”
“Meeting his friends this time,” Aiden replied, running product through his hair. “Apparently it’s a big deal.”
“You’ve been seeing this guy for what, a month? And he’s just now introducing you to his friends?” Mason’s tone held clear skepticism. “Red flag, dude.”
“Says the man whose last boyfriend didn’t know your last name for six weeks,” Aiden countered. “Dylan’s just private. His friends are like family to him.”
“And you’re… what? Actually into him? Like, relationship into him?” Mason’s surprise was understandable—Aiden’s dating history since becoming an influencer had been deliberately casual.
Aiden paused, considering the question seriously. “Yeah,” he admitted finally. “I think I am.”
“Wow.” Mason looked genuinely shocked. “And the content angle? Your followers are already creating conspiracy theories about why you’re being so secretive about him.”
It was true. Aiden’s oblique references to “Mountain Man” without detailed stories or photos had his audience in a frenzy of speculation. His engagement numbers were actually up, the mystery driving interest in ways his previous oversharing never had.
“Some things are private,” Aiden said simply. “This feels… different. Important.”
Mason studied him for a moment before nodding. “Good for you, man. Just… be careful, okay? You still don’t know much about this guy.”
More than you think, Aiden thought, remembering Dylan’s body pressed against his, the whispered confessions in the dark, the way he seemed to truly see Aiden beyond the carefully constructed online persona. But also less than I should.