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.”

as she lay her head on

shameless flattery. “Nancy and Tyler are the real deal here. Look at how perfect they look

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

glowing from all the praises, but he was secretly appraising Serena, his gaze flickering from one part of her body to the next as if deciding which he liked best. He

for women 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 to be with someone like him. Then, he glanced at Kingsley with a demoralizing air and asked, “What line of

replied, “I just retired from the army, so

you’re unemployed,” Nancy

has to stoop so low. Must be some serious self-esteem issues

that the ice princess herself

so inflated that it was a wonder at all he did not burst at the seams. “Hey, kid, if you need a job, our company’s still hiring security. Sure, the pay isn’t much, but at

a guard dog

her. The crowd, on the other hand, were picking

and asked in a voice that cut above the others’ rambunctious laughter. “What’s so funny, guys? Did I miss

about how Serena’s boyfriend should become a security guard at my fiancé’s company!” She had only

was swollen, Emory asked, “What’s up with

way here, but I’m fine.” He would rather bury himself alive than have anyone here find out he

a seat as she asked enthusiastically,