Keep Your Lies—I’m Done Loving You

On the day of my marking ceremony, I don't receive flow ers or a mate's embrace. Instead, I receive news that my boyfriend, Liam Hagerty, was caught in a snowstorm and his body was never found. I lose the man I love, and the pup in my belly loses its father. The grief nearly destroys me, but everyone keeps saying, "Aurora, stay strong-at l east for the pup." On the day of the funeral, Liam's twin br other, Jasper Hagerty, returns from the border patrol wit h his mate. Every time I see Jasper's face-the exact sam e face as Liam's-my heart aches all over again. Then on e night, I accidentally overhear a conversation betweeen my mother-in-law-the old Luna-and Jasper."Liam, you have to go through with this. Your brother died saving y ou, and your sister-in-law's been through so much. Let h er give birth and have something to rely on. Then, you ca n host your marking ceremony with Aurora." Silence follo ws. Then "Jasper" speaks. "But what about Aurora? She's carrying my pup..." His mother sighs. "Aurora is strong an d considerate. Shell understand." Jasper says in resignat ion, "Alright, Mom. I'll do as you say." That's when I realize Liam never died. The man I thought was my brother-in-l aw, Jasper, is just Liam putting on an act. Heartbroken b eyond words, I call my older brother, Axel Maddox. "Axel, I want to come home. Liam is already dead, so there's ino reason for me to stay here anymore."