The Established Siblings of the Pack

Serena glowered at Nancy icily as a murderous look registered on her features.

Meanwhile, Kingsley reached for her hand under the table and regarded Nancy impassively as he pointed out, “With a face like yours, it’s no wonder you try to put Serena down.”

“Excuse me?” Nancy shrieked. She grimaced menacingly at him and demanded, “Who the hell are you to speak to me that way?”

“He came as Serena’s plus-one, didn’t he? Maybe he’s her boyfriend.”

The guests had all brought along their own plus-ones, so they naturally overlooked Kingsley’s presence at first, especially while he was plainly-dressed.

Emory assessed Kingsley contemptuously and drawled, “Of course he’s her boyfriend. Will you look at the cheap counterfeits he’s wearing? He and Serena-the-orphan are a perfect match, if you ask me!”

Once again, everyone laughed in disdain. Nancy, in particular, was on a vicarious thrill when she saw that Serena was being made fun of. The crows’ feet near the ends of her eyes crinkled as she beamed. This was finally her chance to trounce Serena.

“Who would’ve thought you’d find yourself a boyfriend, Serena? I ought to go out and see if pigs are flying,” she mocked, clutching onto Tyler’s arm. “But I must say you have horrible taste in men. Why would you go out with someone dirt poor like him? I mean, there’s nothing wrong with being poor, but what’s with all that fake-nouveau riche get-up? I’m embarrassed for you!”

Serena stared at her witheringly. “I can date whoever I want, so keep your nose out of my business.”

her head on Tyler’s shoulder. “I’m perfectly happy with this

shower her with shameless flattery. “Nancy and Tyler are

her boyfriend’s league. She’s just dragging

part of her body to the next as if deciding which he liked best. He had been drawn to her beauty since she walked

worth. Surely you wouldn’t want to be saddled with some pathetic deadbeat guy forever, knowing that he would never be able to make something of himself.” He had as good as told her that she ought to be with someone like him. Then, he glanced at Kingsley with a demoralizing air and asked, “What line of work are you in, anyway? Bet you can’t even afford to buy Serena

replied, “I just retired from the army, so I’m still

unemployed,” Nancy concluded

why Serena has to stoop so low. Must be some

the ice princess

at the seams. “Hey, kid, if you need a job, our company’s still hiring security. Sure, the pay isn’t much, but at least you wouldn’t have to get

Nancy squealed in amusement. “Being a guard dog is better than

that she could finally walk all over Serena, and satisfaction swelled up in her. The crowd, on the other hand, were

a voice that cut above the others’ rambunctious laughter. “What’s so funny, guys? Did I miss anything? I could hear the lot of you laughing from

as she caught her breath and said, “We were talking about how Serena’s boyfriend should become a security guard

Emory asked, “What’s up with your face? Did

way here, but I’m fine.” He would rather bury himself alive

to take a seat as she asked enthusiastically, “You used to like Serena,