Mommy Wolf: Raise A Cub, Claimed By His Beast Daddy-Chapter 54: Eagle Envoys

Marik couldn’t fall asleep that night.

He was far too excited to even close his eyes, so he sat at the entrance of the cave instead, blocking it with his body to preserve as much warmth as possible for the sleeping Sisi and Jojo.

He tossed another log onto the fire to keep the embers from dying as the cold wind began to blow harder.

It was an especially cold winter night, even though spring was already nearing, yet Marik didn’t feel cold at all.

He stole many glances at Sisi, who was hugging Jojo in his beast cub form to preserve warmth. She pulled the bear-pelt blanket they had made earlier higher as the cold wind brushed against her shoulder. Seeing her shiver made Marik even more determined to bring them to Jing Forest once spring arrived.

Winter in Jing Forest wasn’t nearly as harsh, and the summers weren’t as scorching as those in Roc Forest. The beastman-eating plants there weren’t as enormous or dangerous, nor were the beastmen and animals as hostile.

They could settle there.

"Yes... just the three of us. You, me, and Jojo," Marik muttered as he stared at Sisi. "I can leave behind my grudge against the Dusk Star, and Jojo will grow up never knowing he was cursed at birth. It’s a perfect fresh start for all of us, Sisi."

Never in a million years had it crossed his mind that he would ever put down his grudge against Kael, not after witnessing his mother’s death.

But now, he truly had no other wish.

He turned his gaze to the moon, thinking of the Moon Goddess—the deity worshipped by all beastmen.

"Goddess, is this your way of compensating me for everything?" Marik murmured. "Do you wish for me to abandon the path of revenge and simply settle down... with a wonderful woman and a boy we can call our son?"

For the first time in many years, his heart felt warm.

So warm that he almost wanted to rip it out, just to check whether his once cold, dead heart had begun to beat again because Sisi and Jojo were by his side.

Fate was truly twisted, forcing him to bear a lifetime of hatred toward Jojo’s father, only to have him raise the man’s son.

But he didn’t hate the idea. Not anymore, not after getting to know Jojo.

A thin smile crossed the tiger beastman’s face as he nodded to himself. "Spring should come in about a week. I should start preparing. Sisi won’t have the stamina that Jojo and I do... It’s also a long journey. Maybe I should carry them both on my back instead..."

As Marik planned ahead, something caught his attention.

Three birds were circling high above the cave. They were far away, sometimes even blocking the moon as they passed, but with his sharp eyesight, Marik quickly recognized them as eagles flying in a coordinated pattern.

It didn’t take long for him to realize they weren’t ordinary animals.

Their movements were too precise and too disciplined.

Beastmen.

Marik narrowed his eyes. Nothing good ever came from eagle beastmen appearing uninvited. They were sky predators, and although he was confident they couldn’t touch Sisi or Jojo, their presence filled him with unease.

Stepping out of the cave, Marik moved into the clearing and shouted toward the sky, "Come down and talk! What do you want?!"

After a moment, the eagles descended, perching on a tree not far from him before shifting into their beastman forms.

Just as he suspected, three eagle beastmen. Judging by their physiques, they were likely soldiers.

Before they could speak, Marik cut them off sharply. "If you want to talk, then come down here. Perching up there makes it look like you’re looking down on me."

"O-oh, yes!" The three eagle beastmen quickly leaped down, landing in front of him. They showed no hostility, and Marik responded in a kind—though he remained on guard–manner.

Since his family was resting inside the cave, he didn’t want to alert them. It was better if he faced these three eagle beastmen all by himself.

"We apologize for disturbing your family, Brother Tiger," one of the eagle beastmen said. "We are envoys sent by our king."

"What business does your king have with me and my family?" Marik replied arrogantly. "I don’t recall this part of Roc Forest being under anyone’s rule."

Marik had the right to be arrogant. If not for the cursed Dusk and Dawn Stars, Marik could have claimed a throne himself with sheer strength alone. He feared no king.

"Our king has no ill intentions," another eagle beastman quickly added. "He received our report about your... unique family—a tiger, a wolf cub, and a female human. He wishes to visit. Perhaps even recruit you into our kingdom, so you may live a more stable life. Isn’t that good news?"

The eagle beastmen were polite because their instincts screamed danger. Marik’s aura radiated a strength none of them could contend with. They had only ever felt something similar once—when standing before their Beast King.

Thus, they tread carefully.

"I’m not interested in joining any kingdom," Marik said coldly. "We’ll be leaving Roc Forest for good in a week. Don’t bother us again. You may leave."

The eagle beastmen exchanged helpless looks.

"We... cannot do that, Brother Tiger," one of them said carefully. "Our mission is not only to deliver the message, but also to watch over your family. Our Beast King is already on his way to check on you and your family. He won’t take long to arrive."

Marik clicked his tongue. "And who exactly is this king of yours? I’ve lived my entire life in Roc Forest and never heard of any so-called Beast King." 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

"Our king was crowned only six months ago," the eagle beastman replied proudly. "He is expanding his domain, you would have learned of him eventually. But if you wish to know his name..."

He paused, then declared with pride:

"Kael, the Beast King of Roc Forest."