The Established Siblings of the Pack

At that moment, Paige rose from her seat and declared, “My butler wears Gustav all the time. One look is all it takes for me to tell if these belts are fakes.”

Having said that, she opened one of the boxes and took out the belt coiled inside, then examined it carefully. A minute later, she put the belt back into the box and swept her gaze over the others at the table, then enunciated, “I’m sure it’s the real thing.”

Nancy grimaced as she bit out through gritted teeth, “You’re best friends with Serena, so who’s to say you aren’t covering for her lies?”

“Are you questioning me right now?” Paige countered icily, her expression turning grim. She was the second young lady of the Tanner Family and a major in the Seavale Military District; a deathly hush fell upon the room the moment she zoned in murderously on Nancy, and no one dared breathe.

“I… I’m not,” Nancy said shakily, so terrified that she nearly wet her pants.

Everyone else turned rigid in their seats as though bracing for an oncoming storm.

“Okay, that’s enough. Throwing tantrums is quite unbecoming for a young lady,” Kingsley cajoled.

At once, the tension in the room seemed to shatter and fall away, and Paige replied obligingly, “Fine.” The last thing she wanted was to go against her grandfather and the man who held the Order of the Northern Draken.

Upon seeing this, the others at the table blanched. They wondered frantically who Kingsley was and why Paige, a young lady of nobility, was so obedient toward him. Swallowing convulsively, they started to think about the way they had treated him with contempt and hurled snide remarks at him for the entire evening. No ordinary fella would be invited to stay with the Tanners’ for a night. He must be someone important! If he took any offense to how we treated him tonight, then we’re all as good as dead!

Presently, Kingsley turned his dark brown eyes on Nancy and ordered coolly, “You, come over here and get down on your knees. I want to hear you personally apologize to Serena for what you said to her tonight.”

“I…” Nancy was trembling like a chihuahua at this point. Out of desperation, she turned to Emory for help as she urged, “Emory, say something! You have to help me.”

Emory’s mouth was dry as he countered sullenly, “How am I supposed to help you when I’m in need of divine saving myself?”

He was sorely regretting his behavior earlier, and he shuddered at the consequences that would befall him if his cover as a spy was blown.

“Divine saving is right. The three of you aren’t getting out of this,” Kingsley said with a devious smirk tugging on his lips. “Come on, get down on your knees in front of Serena before my patience runs out.”

Nancy turned to look at the others in mute despair, but those who had been flattering her enthusiastically just moments ago dared not even meet her gaze now. Someone even whispered meekly, “Just get down on your knees, Nancy, or we’ll all be done for.”

to lose if she didn’t compromise, and without another word,

joined her and knelt down next

just now. I shouldn’t have picked on you or Serena,” Nancy sobbed, her breath hitching in her throat. “C-Can you ever forgive

muttered trepidatiously, “I’m sorry.

imperiously, Serena pointed out apathetically, “No need to apologize; forgiving the both of you was not

figures at his feet. “I’m afraid Serena finds your apology displeasing. Now, how should we go about rectifying this?” He slowly rose to grab one of the belts off the table, then uncoiled the leather in his hand, feeling its weight nestled in his palms. He appraised the length and sturdiness of it, then smiled as he drawled, “You know, Miss Tanner, I happen to be a huge fan of the Serpent Whip you use, so I’m thinking of

you going to do?” Noah asked frightfully when he heard this, though he could already imagine how miserable

were holding their breaths, “Each one of you gets a belt as a gift

themselves to disobey him. Moving stiffly toward that end of the table, each of the guests took a belt and uncoiled it in their

with these two ignorant fools here, then you may leave. If you refuse to strike them, then you’ll have to get on your knees and receive

on the shocking suggestion. About half a minute later, the sound of a cracking

as cold beads of

the ball rolling, the rest of the dinner guests joined in

of them spared Noah or Nancy any mercy. They stood red-eyed behind the two figures kneeling on the ground, taking turns with the corporal punishment. In truth, they couldn’t care less about their long-time friendship or their shared memories from their

didn’t take long for the back of Nancy’s dress to be whipped to shreds, revealing a whole lot of

up from his seat and walked up to where Emory was, then asked, “You’re Emory, aren’t

he demanded, “What do

in clipped tones. “Hand the carrier over right

don’t know what you’re talking about!”

the back of his collar and chuckled darkly. “My, my, where are you rushing off to, Emory? Or should

syllables of his real name

to waste his breath on the guy, Kingsley grabbed a belt and tied Emory up, then threw him on the

to her feet and announced, “I’ve seen enough.

from each of you, and nothing less. Got it?” With that, he turned his attention to

make sure these people here carry out their work.” A sadistic giggle escaped her as she said this. “I’ll be heading for the Solaris Military District after this, so