Born to Slay the Apocalypse

My parents had always been biased, and to them, forming a connection with the Ice Wolf pack was beyond their wildest dreams. So they agreed on my behalf without a second thought.

A month later, Briar and I both got married on the same day.

Briar wore a wedding gown adorned with jewels, riding in an elegant carriage pulled by white horses, with wagon after wagon of luxurious gifts following behind her. Meanwhile, I only had a simple dress and a few pitiful trunks of belongings.

Before leaving home, Briar smiled sweetly and said, "Oh, Lyra, a day like this should be mine. Enjoy struggling in the wilderness with your crippled husband."

I said nothing and calmly climbed into my wedding carriage. She thought that giving birth to a son would secure her position as crown princess, but Damien's family was ruthless. To them, women were nothing more than breeding tools.

Compared to Damien's magnificent palace, Rowan Hunter's home was quite simple. Ribbons hung from the bed frame, and a plate of sweet cakes sat on the table.

I was hungry and had just reached for some nuts from a bowl when I heard wooden wheels rolling across the floor.

A handsome man lifted my wedding veil, his amber eyes gleaming with amusement. "Well, well, caught a little thief."

Rowan was strikingly handsome. I'd heard his mother was from the snow fox clan, and he had inherited her beauty and the Wolf King's strength.

Unfortunately, he had somehow injured his leg and earned the Wolf King's scorn. His moods were unpredictable, and in my previous life, no beastwoman would marry him until the day I died.

I wondered if he could… perform his husbandly duties.

"Admiring the view?"

He leaned closer, his warm breath against my bare skin, carrying the scent of pine and herbs. Moonlight streamed through the windows. Neither of us slept that night.

The next morning, I was dragged from bed early to meet the Wolf King. Rowan and I waited outside for ages before being summoned.

When we entered, Briar was bashfully receiving a fertility pendant from the Wolf King. All I got was a plain silver bracelet. I took it without comment.

The Wolf King sat on his throne as he said, "I expect you both to produce heirs soon and strengthen our pack."

Damien and Briar quickly agreed, while Rowan and I said nothing.

The Wolf King's expression hardened. "Rowie, now that you're married, it's time you went to your lands. You leave today."

Rowan's lands were in the remote northeast. Being banished on the first day after the wedding showed just how much the Wolf King truly despised this son.

As we left the palace, Damien and Briar stepped into our path on purpose. Damien smirked as he said, "You two are a perfect match. I just wonder, with my brother's bad leg, how he'll manage in bed..."

Briar giggled and added, "Lyra, I hear Rowan's lands are barren. Once you go, we'll never see each other again.

"But don't worry, okay? When I have exciting news, you'll be the first to know." I could hear the venom in their voices.

"You and the crown prince seem perfectly suited, too," I replied icily. What a perfect pair of scumbags.

"What's the point of talking to them? Let's go." Rowan snorted coldly and wheeled forward. I hurried to catch up.

Once we left the throne room, Rowan's expression darkened. He yanked the silver bracelet from my wrist and hurled it into a ditch.

"Don't accept his gifts." His sudden move caught me off guard, and I took a step back. He raised an eyebrow.

"What? Are you upset? Well, tough luck. You married a worthless cripple."

"I'm not upset." I shook my head and pressed my hand to my lower back. "I'm just sore."

He went utterly still. Realizing what I meant, his face flushed red, and he quickly wheeled away. I stared at his retreating figure thoughtfully.

How could someone with a bad leg have that much stamina? Was Rowan the moody cripple everyone thought he was?