Page 18 of V for Vindictive

Okay, so he was super hot.

It wasn’t that I was thirsty for every dude who entered my field of vision, but most of the ones I’d met lately were quite literally gorgeous. Nothing like the high school boys I’d been around my entire life. Every guy was mysteriously attractive and appealing to my inexperienced eyes. All for different reasons. All with their own unique, impossibly alluring qualities. The cream of the crop.

Shit. I’m a thirsty bitch.

Still, this new stranger’s gentle brown eyes which slanted towards his eyebrows and perfect smile were a welcomed change to all the sarcastic male types parading around me lately. I knew better than to trust a first impression, though.

Sloan’s partner fixed her cleavage, which was ample and out of her shirt in a way that would make any person salivate. The woman knew how to draw the eyes. Her tight corset top shifted as she moved, and I stood stupidly frozen to the spot while she made her way over with the new stranger in tow.

Motioning to the handsome man beside her, the purple vixen greeted both Sloan and I with another gorgeous smile. “This is Sungho, the Shifter who found the vampire coven here. All of this area is his pack’s territory.”

When I spared a moment, I was absolutely obsessed with K-Dramas and their complex stories. Thanks to such a random obsession, I recognized his name as one I’d heard in a few Korean series I did manage to watch. It gave me an odd sense of excitement.

Not that it should matter. Humans weren’t the only roaming species, so racism wasn’t the same in our supernatural world. But it still existed. It was evident the Organization saw themselves as superior and created institutions here to perpetuate that culture, then categorized other creatures as bottom-dwellers and dangerous. After learning what I had about the Organization and their diabolical dive into genetic mutation, I no longer trusted anything I’d been taught over the course of my eighteen years. I’d been socialized by the very people who played God and ordered my parents’ deaths.

My entire life was a lie.

I eyed the Shifter with interest, who sported a form-fitting t-shirt and pair of jeans. Casual wear. Not exactly what I’d expect, but I’d discarded preconceived notions about this world a long time ago. Besides, Shifters needed to remove their clothes before turning into whatever beast they were.

If he had a pack, one might assume he was a wolf, but I didn’t know for sure anymore. I hadn’t read up on all the types of animals and beasties in the Shifter category, so I’d likely be wrong if I tried to assume anything.

My gaze slid from his face, down his body, then back up again. The muscles in his torso flexed as if he was under attack, but his eyes never strayed from mine.

Maybe I make him uncomfortable?

“Sungho?”

The strange man with obsidian eyes and a body lean with muscle crossed his arms, finally giving way to a soft, greeting smile. “You must be the girl everyone’s talking about.”

Oh, great. My reputation proceeds me.

“Can’t really say you’re wrong, but I’m curious what sort of things are being said in the Shifter circle,” I commented dryly, stealing a look at Sloan.

As expected, the other Hunter was devoid of emotion outside of courteous welcome. Not that I expected anything less from my older predecessor. Sloan played well with others.

Phillip would’ve been tossing out sarcastic commentary about Sungho’s lackluster appearance or boyishly good looks. He’d be breaking down who the newcomer was and what he could be coaxed into, or what he was capable of. Or maybe he’d be grinning like he was full of secrets.

Sloan, however, greeted Sungho with nothing but civility and respect. “Your help is greatly appreciated.”

“Our interests align is all,” Sungho remarked, eyes staying with me. “The sooner we get rid of these pests, the better it is for my pack.”

Kris giggled and sighed before offering me an exaggerated roll of her eyes. I couldn’t help but smile, having missed the woman’s eccentric presenceafter nothing but testosterone-toting dudes and their opinions for the last few months.

“You said there were nearly fifteen, including whoever leads them?”

The Shifter’s demeanor changed in an instant, and his smile disappeared. “That’s our guess, but nothing’s been confirmed.”

Sloan nodded. “Then that’s where we’ll start. Is your pack joining us, or will it be just you?”

Kris had a hand on her weapon, eyes scouting the area for any unwelcomed listeners.

Sungho stole a look at me once more, his square jaw tautening before he answered Sloan. “Just me. As you might suspect, the rest of my pack isn’t very happy we’re working with Hunters.”

Go figure.

“No need to explain,” Sloan responded, smiling. “We are grateful their alpha could be spared.”

So, he was the alpha. That explained his aura.

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