Mommy Wolf: Raise A Cub, Claimed By His Beast Daddy-Chapter 42: Godfather (IV)

"A mama bear? Hmm, I think I prefer to be a mama wolf," Sisi chuckled. "But thank you for thinking of me, Jojo. And you too, thank you so much... for returning, Marik."

Jojo jumped happily at Sisi’s praise. Not long after, his stomach growled, and he announced, "I’ll hunt breakfast! Wait for me, Sisi! Uncle!"

Without another word, Jojo dashed into the forest, leaving Marik and Sisi behind as they watched the wolf boy happily head off to hunt another hare.

Sisi rubbed the warm bear cloak around her shoulders as she watched Jojo disappear, then turned to the ever-silent Marik.

"Do you think it’ll be alright to leave him alone? We don’t know any predators lurking in the snow after all."

"It should be," Marik replied. "I haven’t detected any signs of predators around here. Their scent is usually much stronger in winter, since other smells are masked by the snow."

His eyes never left Jojo’s retreating figure, watching attentively to make sure the boy wouldn’t hurt himself while hunting. After a moment, he glanced at Sisi and added, "No need to be overly guarded. That boy has strong determination, which means he naturally has a strong survival instinct."

"Mm, you’re right. I worry about him too much sometimes, especially when he cries," Sisi admitted. She hesitated, then looked up at Marik. "Actually... when you left the cave last night, you were planning to leave us for good, weren’t you?"

Marik stiffened.

Crossing his arms, he replied, "I was just resting on that tree." He tilted his head slightly, gesturing toward a tall tree near the cave.

"Maybe," Sisi said softly, "but not for long. I can tell. Your body is still cold, and you haven’t even brushed the snow out of your hair."

She rose onto her toes and gently wiped the snow from Marik’s hair.

His body tensed again, but he slowly lowered his head, allowing her to do so.

She was the first person who had ever touched his head like this. As insignificant as it might sound, it was a big deal for an apex predator like Marik.

And yet... he didn’t dislike it.

Instinctively, he lowered his head even more. Perhaps he didn’t know what he wanted, or perhaps he did, but was too embarrassed to admit that he wanted her to keep going just a little longer as it was rare for Sisi to show a warm gesture towards him.

Once the snow over his head was gone, Marik straightened abruptly, standing tall and imposing once more, as if trying to reclaim his masculine composure.

"So," Sisi asked curiously, "what made you come back to us?"

She was now completely certain that Marik had left the night before, likely irritated by her repeated requests.

"I didn’t return out of pity," Marik said flatly. "I just know that you’re a weakling who pretends to be tough, while carrying a boy who hasn’t even grown proper claws and fangs yet. If I had left last night, both of you would have died sooner or later."

"So you came back because you were worried about us," Sisi stated plainly.

"Don’t make it sound like I care!" Marik snapped, his voice rising before he could stop himself. "I don’t. At least I don’t care about that little wolf. I just don’t want my savior to die like an idiot!"

Sisi stifled another laugh, much to his annoyance.

"Alright, I won’t push you further," she said gently. "But I’m glad you’re finally willing to be his godfather. Jojo really needs someone other than me."

"I have nothing better to do if I’m staying here for a while anyway," Marik muttered. "Teaching him some life skills won’t hurt. Besides, he’s a fast learner. He doesn’t have sharp claws yet, but he already learned how to cut the bear pelt after watching me do it once."

"Then do you think he’ll be a good beastman in the future, even without his real father?" Sisi asked.

It was one of the biggest worries in her heart. Since she didn’t know what had become of Jojo’s father, she wanted to be sure Jojo would grow up properly even with a different kind of family.

"He will," Marik replied without hesitation.

In his heart, Marik knew Jojo was far better off under his guidance—or anyone else’s—than his real father’s.

Jojo’s father was a harbinger of calamity, someone who would bring nothing but ruin and bad influence.

In fact, Marik had already begun thinking about how to teach Jojo to live like a normal beastman without ever letting him discover his true identity as the Dawn Star, or awaken his strange power anytime soon.

"Then I’m relieved," Sisi said softly.

Marik watched as Jojo attempted to hunt a hare that darted across the snow-covered land at blinding speed.

Jojo had shifted into his wolf form, his white coat blending perfectly with the snow which was a great advantage for a hunter, but his short limbs proved to be a disadvantage. He stumbled repeatedly, occasionally tumbling headfirst into the snow.

Marik watched patiently at first. Then he clicked his tongue.

"Why are you chasing it like a blind wolf? You’re being toyed with by a stupid hare! It has longer legs than you!" he barked as he strode toward Jojo.

Jojo shook himself free of the snow on his face, and looked up at Uncle Marik, who looked thoroughly irritated.

Pouting, Jojo protested, "Don’t blame me, Uncle! It’s my first hunt in the snow! It’s really hard!"

"Of course it is," Marik snapped. "Because you’re chasing it like you’re chasing a butterfly! If you keep this up, you’ll miss a step and fall into a river or lake!"

Jojo paled instantly.

Rivers were deadly cold in winter. He could die if he fell in, and worse, Sisi couldn’t swim. Knowing her, she would still try to save him... and end up drowning herself.

The thought alone terrified him.

Determined not to let anything bad happen to Sisi, Jojo sat still and listened obediently to Uncle Marik’s scolding.

Watching the scene, Sisi blinked in surprise.

’Has Jojo always been this obedient?’ she wondered. ’Maybe I should be a bit firmer with him in the future.’