Page 2 of Claimed By the Alien Warlord

“Yeah, I can tell.” I glance around at the peeling wallpaper and the flickering fluorescent light. “So... do I have the job or not?”

He leans forward, steepling his fingers like a Bond villain. “I’ll keep your name in consideration. I’m still at the accepting applications stage. Bye.”

I stand, my chair scraping loudly against the floor. “Right. Thanks for the... chat.”

He doesn’t respond, already flipping through a stack of papers like I’ve ceased to exist.

Back in the dining area, Boris and Barfbag are leaning on the counter, grinning like they’ve been waiting for me.

“Sooo,” Boris drawls, “how’d it go? You gonna be slinging fries with us?”

Barfbag snickers. “Yeah, you and us, the dream team.”

“Keep dreaming.” I head for the door, my stomach sinking.

“Aw, come on,” Boris calls after me. “Don’t be like that. We’re just messing with you.”

“Yeah,” Barfbag adds. “It’s not like you lost arealjob or anything.”

I don’t look back, but their laughter follows me out the door.

, The POS groans to life, and I steer it toward Dauber’s Pharmacy, the engine hiccuping like it’s mocking my bad luck. I park in the small lot, the gravel crunching under my boots as I head inside. The bell dings above the door, and Jeffry Dauber looks up from behind the counter, his gentle smile easing some of the tension in my shoulders.

“Reily,” he says warmly. “How’s your mother holding up?”

“Hanging in there.” I lean on the counter, forcing a smile. “She’s tough.”

“That she is.” He turns and starts pulling the meds from the shelf behind him, the labels a blur of complicated names and dosages. “Got everything ready for you. Just give me a sec.”

I nod, pulling out my wallet and flipping it open to the debit card that’s seen better days. Jeffry rings up the order, and I swipe the card, holding my breath.

Declined.

I blink at the machine, then swipe again.

Declined.

Jeffry clears his throat gently. “It’s okay, Reily. Happens to the best of us.”

I pull out my phone and check my account balance, my stomach sinking as I see the number staring back at me—lower than it should be, thanks to the interest on that payday loan I took out last month. My throat tightens, and I swallow hard.

“Hey,” I say, forcing my voice to stay steady. “Which of these can she skip? Just for a week or so? I’ll get the rest next time.”

Jeffry’s brow furrows, and he shakes his head. “Reily, these are all important. Your mother needs them.”

“I know, but—” My voice cracks, and I press my lips together, willing myself not to cry in front of him. “I just... I can’t do it all right now.”

Jeffry’s expression softens, and he pushes the bag of meds toward me. “Take them. We’ll settle up next time.”

I shake my head, my hands trembling as I push the bag back. “No, I can’t. I know you’re struggling too. I’ve seen the notices about the chains moving in. I can’t do that to you.”

“Reily,” he says, his voice firm but kind. “You’re good for it. I know you are. Your mother needs these, and I’m not going to let her go without because of a temporary hiccup.”

“But—”

“No buts.” He tucks the bag into my hands and gives me a reassuring smile. “Take care of your mother. That’s what matters.”

I clutch the bag, my vision blurring as tears spill over. “Thanks, Jeffry. I... I won’t forget this.”

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