Mommy Wolf: Raise A Cub, Claimed By His Beast Daddy-Chapter 31: Search Party (II)

"My son," Kael replied calmly. He looked as solemn as always, but the moment he mentioned his son, a dull ache spread in his chest, and he clenched the hands hidden behind his back.

All the beastmen gathered before him wore expressions of shock.

Their king had never spoken of having a child, so everyone assumed he had not mated yet.

But if he already had a son... then where was his fated mate?

Did she die?

Beastmen worshipped strength by nature. Since their Beast King was immensely powerful, many young female wolves had been attempting to flatter him, hoping to become his mate, or at least his concubine, it didn’t matter either way as the target was always to stay on his bed.

After all, it wasn’t uncommon for an Alpha to have one fated mate and numerous concubines to sire strong offspring for the pack’s prosperity.

But Kael had shown interest in no one.

He carried out his duties as king, conquered and expanded territory, then lived in seclusion.

So upon hearing that he had a son, everyone concluded he must already have a fated mate.

The young female wolves who overheard began scheming immediately.

It was widely known that a wolf whose mate had died would either drown in sorrow and follow their beloved to the grave, or indulge in pleasure to numb the pain.

Since their Beast King was still alive, he must be... itching and planning to take concubines soon!

Kael neither knew nor cared what his subjects were imagining.

His focus was solely on Jojo’s whereabouts and bring him to his side as soon as possible.

"He is about four years old, around this height—" Kael measured the distance between his hand to the ground to show Jojo’s size. "—with distinct, shiny white fur in his wolf form. In beastman form, he has the same bright white hair, ears, and tail."

"And where should we start searching, My King?" Jeanne asked.

"We were separated on a hill south of here. I searched the entire area thoroughly, but he was nowhere to be found. I suspect he is heading somewhere else," Kael answered. "We will form four search parties and search in every direction. This is an urgent mission; it has begun to snow. I don’t want my son to—"

Kael stopped himself.

He didn’t dare say ’freeze to death’. Speaking those words felt like turning them into a prophecy.

Instead, he divided the flying squirrel and eagle beastmen into four teams and ordered them to begin immediately.

Kael watched as the search parties disappeared into the distance, his hands clenching tightly.

The snowfall grew heavier, and soon the entire Roc Forest would be blanketed in white.

’Stay safe, son...’

**

"Sisi, look, it’s snowing!" Jojo announced as he returned from his morning hunt.

He had caught a hare preparing its winter burrow, an easy hunt. Jojo imagined how convenient winter would be, as hares tended to stay in their dens to avoid the cold.

Sisi looked up and saw the snow falling at an increasingly heavy pace. It wouldn’t take long for the whole forest to be covered.

Or worse, a snowstorm might strike at any moment.

Sisi had never been fond of snow.

Yes, it was beautiful for those who lived comfortably. For people with warm houses and smoking chimneys, those who could afford thick padded jackets and play in the snow, or a beastman like Jojo, whose thick fur protected him from the cold.

But for Sisi?

The orphanage had never had enough firewood. So, Children aged three and above had to gather in the main hall to share the warmth of a small chimney.

But that chimney wasn’t hot enough to warm such a big room, so everyone simply huddled together, trying to fight the cold.

Sisi spent years enduring winter like that until she was finally adopted at ten.

On the Piker farm, she spent every day taking care of Mrs. Piker and doing endless chores.

Even if smoke billowed from the chimney, she rarely had time to warm herself.

And once Mrs. Piker died... she had to endure Mr. Piker’s inhumane torture, barely clinging to life.

There was no smile on Sisi’s lips now, only a furrowed brow full of concern.

She had gathered enough dry wood to last a while. After moving around the forest, she finally found a suitable cave. With her power, she could close the entrance with vines and leaves to trap the heat while creating ventilation so the bonfire smoke wouldn’t suffocate them.

She had prepared well.

But maintaining food was still difficult.

Jojo, young as he was, could hunt every day.

Sisi had foraged before winter and gathered fruits, mushrooms, and vegetables that would last as long as they were stored in a cold place.

’Everything is prepared. We should be able to survive this winter just fine. So why am I still uneasy?’ Sisi wondered.

She turned her head and noticed Marik lounging lazily on a tree branch. Unfazed by the cold, as expected.

’Marik promised not to hunt Jojo or me. I shouldn’t be afraid of predators. Besides, he also vowed to protect me to repay his life debt...’

"Sisi! Sisi!"

Sisi snapped out of her thoughts and looked down at Jojo. She smiled as she picked up the hare he dropped at her feet.

"This hare is quite big. Your hunting skills are getting better, Jojo."

"Mm! When I grow up, I’ll hunt a bull for you!"

"A bull?" Sisi raised an eyebrow. "Can you hunt a bull alone?"

"My Daddy can hunt a bull alone, so I can do it too!" Jojo declared proudly.

Sisi chuckled. "Then I’ll be waiting for that day."

Though, deep inside, she doubted Jojo would still stay by her side when he was old enough to hunt a bull.

He would likely find his mate and leave the nest.

But that was fine.

A mother’s duty ended when her child was strong enough to stand on his own.