Mommy Wolf: Raise A Cub, Claimed By His Beast Daddy-Chapter 18: Dusk Star

Kael stared at the full moon as he lay defenseless near a hill, his enemies’ corpses scattered around him. He had lost all his strength after massacring the tiger beastmen who wanted to hunt both him and Jojo.

It had been an unfair one-versus-ten fight, but he came out victorious in the end. Though he wasn’t sure if he had delivered the deathblow to the leader of the tiger pack. He had at least severely injured him, so it would only take a few days, or maybe a week, before that bastard succumbed to his wounds.

At the very least, Kael was certain that none of them would be able to harm Jojo anymore.

A proud smile tugged at his lips as he recalled the battle, but it didn’t last long. His thoughts wandered back to his son.

He had thrown Jojo off the hill because that was the only way to ensure his survival.

Naturally, Jojo had a strong body, just like him, so a mere fall wouldn’t kill him. But Kael was still worried, what if Jojo encountered another beastman while escaping?

After all, Jojo was only four years old. He hadn’t learned how to fight yet. In fact, he had only learned to hunt two days ago, when he proudly caught a squirrel.

"Jo... Jo..." Kael whispered his son’s name, the boy he painstakingly raised for four years with love and care. He was terrified of Jojo’s fate, but he found solace in knowing one thing: Jojo was still alive.

He could feel the bond between them, and with the curse they both bore, neither of them would die as long as the other lived.

But that bond cut both ways. If one died, the other would instantly follow.

That was why Kael clung desperately to life—because his death would drag Jojo with him.

I cannot die.

Kael repeated the words in his heart again and again, but he could feel his life slipping away. His breaths grew faint, and the moon above him blurred more with each passing second.

I cannot die.

He repeated it again, even as his eyes slowly closed. He fought to stay conscious, repeating it one last time before darkness swallowed him.

I cannot die.

"Yes, you cannot die."

Kael gasped as a voice suddenly whispered in his ear. When he opened his eyes again, he saw a reflection of himself hovering above him like a mirror.

It looked identical; long dark hair, slightly tanned skin, and a pair of black wolf ears.

But the eyes...

Kael’s eyes were dark as obsidian, while the reflection’s were crimson, glowing with a suppressive, malevolent aura. One glance was enough for Kael to know that this thing meant no good.

The reflection smiled and said, "You cannot die, Dusk Star. If you die, the Dawn Star will die as well." 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

Dusk Star and Dawn Star.

Kael hated hearing the names of their curse. It was the root of their suffering and isolation. Without that curse, they could’ve lived safely in a pack, and Jojo could have had a normal childhood instead of growing up in constant danger.

The wicked smile on the reflection’s face widened after witnessing Kael’s anger.

"You should know you’re standing at death’s door. The only way to save yourself is to accept the curse."

"I will... never..." Kael forced out, refusing with what little strength he had left.

"Then will you die, and drag that boy with you?" the reflection asked. His red eyes gleamed as he continued, "Why reject me, Kael? I am the curse born from your wretched heart. I am your sin—your shadow—following you since birth, and lingering until your death. Why not embrace me? Only then will you tap into the power you’ve suppressed for so long."

Kael knew the cost of accepting the curse. Yet he was too weak to truly reject it now.

Sensing victory, the reflection whispered even darker temptations, hoping to break him completely.

"Yes, understand yourself, Kael. You are powerless without me. You cannot protect that boy. Your death will be his end. Succumb to despair. Close your eyes forever, and never again see the light that could save you."

Kael struggled to keep his eyes open. He refused to let this monster take over, not when he feared it would one day harm Jojo.

But as the reflection continued whispering one bleak reality after another, Kael’s eyelids grew heavier.

"Accept me, and become a lone wolf for the rest of your life. You will gain unimaginable power. But in exchange, you will never recognize your fated mate. Her scent will disgust you. Her smile will unsettle you. You will feel the urge to kill her. You will die alone, in anguish."

On the brink of death, Kael found no reason to refuse anymore. He would do anything, absolutely anything, to survive and protect Jojo.

As for his fated mate?

He had always been a lone wolf, shunned since he was a cub. He never intended to seek his mate. He hated everyone except Jojo. He trusted no one. Whether he could recognize his fated mate or not hardly mattered.

But then, as his vision dimmed, the reflection disappeared, replaced by the figure of a woman. Her face was blurry, but she had a dazzling smile akin to a sun, and her violet eyes held a clarity that soothed the icy rage in his heart.

Kael felt a sudden urge to reach out. He lifted his hand with what strength he had left, trying to touch her, but she faded like mist, as if to show he would never find her in this life.

He felt foolish.

He had let himself weaken.

He had been blinded by warmth he never should have craved, the warmth of the woman fated for him.

’It doesn’t matter if I die alone, as long as Jojo lives,’ Kael thought.

And so he made the most painful decision of his life.

He opened his mouth, using his final breath to seal his vow and accept the curse.

"I am Kael, the Dusk Star."