Chapter 21.

STACY.

A few weeks later…

The clock on the office wall ticks loudly, each second a reminder that time is running out. I lean back in my chair, staring at the eviction notice on my desk. Our landlord has been clear—if we don’t come up with the rent by the end of the day, we’re out.

I sigh heavily. “Where am I going to get the money, Lizzy?”

Lizzy, sitting across from me, taps her nails anxiously on the desk. “Stacy, we don’t have many options. Maybe... maybe you should ask Alpha Daniel for help?”

I shake my head immediately. “No. I can’t. If I go to him for help, he’ll think I’m giving him false hope, and I’m not ready for that. I don’t want to lead him on.”

Lizzy sighs, looking just as stressed as I feel. “Then what are we going to do? The landlord’s not bluffing, Stacy. He’ll kick us out tonight.”

Before I can answer, the office phone rings. Lizzy quickly picks it up, her expression tightening as she speaks to whoever’s on the other end. “Yes... okay, I’ll let her know and get