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.”

that you mention it,” Nancy began, smirking triumphantly as she lay her head on Tyler’s shoulder. “I’m perfectly

only just said this when everyone else started to shower her with shameless flattery. “Nancy and Tyler

league. She’s just dragging her self-worth through the mud by settling

liked best. He had been drawn to her beauty since she walked through the door earlier, and Nancy, for all she was worth, suddenly felt

to choose men that complement their 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

into his seat casually and replied, “I just retired from the army, so I’m still looking for a

you’re unemployed,” Nancy

don’t know why Serena has to stoop so low. Must be some serious self-esteem issues

ice princess herself is just

at the seams. “Hey, kid, if you need a job,

“Being a guard

crowd,

into the private dining room and asked in a voice that cut above the others’ rambunctious laughter. “What’s so funny, guys? Did

and said, “We were talking about how Serena’s boyfriend should become a security guard at my fiancé’s company!” She had only managed to get

one side of Noah’s face was swollen, Emory asked, “What’s up with your face? Did you get beaten

in Kingsley’s direction. “Some rabid dog attacked me on the way here, but I’m fine.” He would rather bury himself alive than have anyone here

for him to take a seat as she asked