Mommy Wolf: Raise A Cub, Claimed By His Beast Daddy-Chapter 78: Tiger Escape (I)

If only he could turn back time, he would have done something other than simply killing Kael. Maybe he could have spent years trying to find a way to separate Kael and Jojo, or at least waited until Jojo was a bit older before confronting the Dusk Star.

Countless scenarios ran through his mind whenever he thought of the innocent wolf cub. After getting to know the boy, he understood that Jojo deserved a good childhood, despite being born as the Dawn Star.

But there was no turning back time, and no medicine for regret.

Marik’s chest tightened as tears slipped from the corners of his eyes and blended into the snow.

"I’m sorry, Sisi. I didn’t know things would turn out this way. I shouldn’t have asked you to save me back then," Marik said. "I should’ve died that day, so I wouldn’t have known about Jojo, and I wouldn’t have known about you... my savior."

Seeing how genuinely broken Marik was, Sisi felt a pang of sadness as well.

Despite wearing a cold face, she wasn’t heartless.

She might not agree with what Marik had done, but she also couldn’t erase his presence from their lives.

"I can’t forgive you for hurting Jojo," Sisi said quietly, "But I also can’t deny that you became a good godfather to him. You protected him, taught him how to hunt, and acted as a father figure while his real father was away."

"In this twisted fate between us, you’ve done more than I ever expected," she continued. "So this is the last help I can give you, Marik."

Sisi glanced around and noticed a hare burrowing near a tree. She summoned her vines, which swiftly wrapped around the animal and strangled it, then delivered it to her hand.

She tossed the hare onto Marik’s chest. "Get up and leave before Kael notices something wrong. I put the eagle beastmen to sleep with Titin mushroom powder. They’ll be out cold for another four to five hours."

Marik slowly sat up, staring at the hare, then at Sisi. "I-I can’t leave. You’ll be dead if that cursed bastard finds out you freed me."

"Do you think he won’t kill me even if you stay?" Sisi snorted. "He already told me I’d face the same punishment as you because he thought we were lovers. I’ll be skinned, and my head will be hung at the gates of his kingdom as an example with yours. He said it’s an act of mercy."

"Then I can’t leave alone!" Marik protested. "Sisi, I know you still hate me for hurting Jojo, but... we have no other choice."

He tore into the hare with his teeth, eating quickly to regain his strength. Once he could stand, he grabbed Sisi’s wrist. "Let’s run away together. I’ll take you to Jing Forest, Kael won’t be able to track us there."

"I’m not leaving without Jojo," Sisi said firmly, yanking her hand free. "And you know we can’t bring him with us. Kael would recognize Jojo by his scent and track us down again."

"But you’ll die!"

"And so what?" Sisi stepped back, ensuring Marik couldn’t grab her again. "I left the farm where I lived because of Jojo, and I’ll stay because of him until he no longer needs me."

"What do you think will happen to him if you’re executed?" Marik shot back. "Do you think Jojo will just smile and forget you? Sisi, you’re like a mother to him!"

"We’ll see when that time comes," Sisi replied calmly.

"Sisi... I can’t leave you alone. You’ve saved my life twice now. How am I supposed to repay you?" Marik asked. He desperately wanted to escape with her, but he knew her too well.

She wouldn’t leave as long as Jojo stayed.

"My decision is final," Sisi said. "I won’t leave. And don’t say you’ll die here with me. You were right earlier, you shouldn’t have been entangled with me and Jojo. So if you want to repay me, I have one request: leave Roc Forest and never come back. That is the only thing I want from you."

"This is too much, Sisi. W-What if we try another way to take Jojo without Kael knowing?" Marik suggested. "We can find a way."

"That’s impossible, and you know it," Sisi smiled faintly. "Before you go, may I ask you one question?"

Marik clenched his teeth. His chest felt tighter than ever, tears streaming down his face, but he nodded.

"Have you ever thought about killing Jojo?"

"..."

Marik closed his eyes, then nodded.

"But I changed my mind when you asked me to become his godfather," he said quickly. "I truly came to think of him as my son! You changed me, Sisi—for the better."

"That’s good," Sisi said softly. "Then live your life in peace. Let go of your grudge against Kael, you can’t defeat him anyway. You said Jing Forest has good weather. Why not settle there and find a mate? I’m sure you’d be a good father to your own cubs someday."

"I—"

Marik wanted to say that the only possible mate in his heart was Sisi. She had filled every crevices inside his heart, and it was impossible to just let go.

But confessing now would be foolish, when separation was inevitable.

"I’ll never forget you, Sisi. Not in this lifetime."

"Please forget me," Sisi chuckled. "I’d feel bad for your future mate. Now go, before it’s too late."

Marik took one last look at her, then steeled himself and ran in the opposite direction. He was slower than before, still wounded and weak from the battle the night before.

But adrenaline drove him east, toward Jing Forest, and he didn’t dare look back.

Because if he did, he knew his resolve would crumble when seeing Sisi’s face again.

Sisi watched him disappear, a thin smile still on her face.

"At least Jojo won’t have to witness his favorite uncle’s gruesome death," she murmured. "I’d call that a win-win situation."