POLAR BEAR ARC CHAPTER 35

Every researcher at the station knew that during mating, the massive male polar bear could potentially harm the relatively smaller female polar bear. This wasn't just a matter of size disparity; there was also the issue of mating duration.

Typically, the larger and more aggressive the animal, the shorter the mating duration. However, polar bears defied this expectation, with an average mating duration of about half an hour. There was even a case where a pair of mating polar bears was observed on a secluded snowy peak, and the session lasted over sixty minutes. Clearly, the duration varied from bear to bear.

Dominant male polar bears often repeatedly court the female, increasing the chances of successful fertilization. During this period, the female is at risk of being injured from being pinned down, and the male also faces the danger of injury. The male polar bear's reproductive organ is different from that of humans; it contains a fragile bone that can be over ten centimeters long. With increasing environmental pollution and changes, the risk of this bone fracturing during mating has significantly increased, especially for less robust bears.

Of course, males who can last for over sixty minutes are less likely to suffer fractures. Once a male bear is reasonably sure that the female is likely to be pregnant, he leaves her and moves on to seek other potential mates, possibly encountering three to five different females in one breeding season. There's no emotional attachment or protection involved in these encounters.

In this context, Otis's behavior was unusual. Even after he had sought release with the little bear, he remained calm and still wanted to be affectionate. Perhaps it was because, in Otis's heart, even without this unfamiliar restlessness, he was still deeply attached to and cared for the little bear. This seemed unrelated to the breeding season.

On that snowy night, Otis didn't sleep a wink. Despite having found some temporary relief, spring was here, and the entire breeding season awaited him.

The reason for his early pre-season restlessness might be his good physical condition—like humans, teenage boys can develop at different rates depending on their genes and environment. Otis's genes must have been quite strong, and so were Alexander's. The good food and nurturing environment made him appear larger than other cubs his age, not just due to fat but also because of superior bone structure.

While humans might not see much difference between polar bears, the bears themselves were very aware of each other's strength and appearance. For example, Qiao Qixi thought Otis was incredibly handsome, unmatched by any other polar bear in the Arctic. Similarly, Otis found the little bear he had picked up to be the most adorable, and he wouldn't want anyone else but him.

Ever the optimist, Qiao Qixi quickly forgot about what happened the night before. After all, it was just a normal biological issue that came with being an animal, and it wasn't Otis's fault.

When he woke up, he saw Otis awake as well, gazing at him gently. Little did he know, Otis had been tormented by his first surge of restlessness and hadn't slept at all.

With no grudges in his heart, the little bear nudged Otis's chin and even considered snuggling back into his arms for a cozy nap. After all, he wasn't old enough to be looking for a mate, so why bother getting up to move?

But after half an hour of hiding from his conscience in Otis's arms, Qiao Qixi finally decided to get up. He stretched, yawned, and shook his head. The snow was still falling, and the wind was strong.

Determined to help Otis find a mate, the little bear set out with purpose. Otis shook the snow off his fur, and with a few snowflakes clinging to his lashes, he looked unexpectedly gentle—so much so that Qiao Qixi couldn't help but admire him a dozen times over.

The two of them continued their journey toward the snowy mountains. Like them, many other adult polar bears were also on the move, though few were as focused as Otis, who headed straight for the mountain peak instead of roaming around to showcase his charms.

This was a strange behavior—how could he reproduce without finding a mate first?

In this busy season at the research station, much effort was put into tracking and studying these animals during their most mysterious and crucial times. Aerial photography and land-based cameras were no longer sufficient; researchers needed to carry their equipment into the field themselves to capture high-quality footage.

This year, the most sought-after subjects were undoubtedly Otis and Alexander. For such an impressive and handsome polar bear, there was so much that people wanted to learn about him, and many human hopes rested on him.

For example, they wished that Otis, who was so fond of cubs, would become a father this year and have his own offspring. But there was also a concern: if Otis had his biological cubs, would he still treat Alexander the same?

This was a very real question. Having followed this affectionate polar bear duo for so long, the last thing people wanted to see was them parting ways.

The decision over which team would track and film Otis's spring journey sparked fierce competition within the research station. Everyone knew this was a rare and valuable opportunity.

In the end, the decision was made by drawing lots. A fortunate team won the chance to document Otis's spring journey, and barring any unforeseen circumstances, they would also capture footage of the adorable third wheel, Alexander.

Expectations for this mission were sky-high.

"Little Rock" (the camera) would also be brought along. Filming wild animals is no easy task, requiring a variety of equipment. Besides the technical challenges, it's also dangerous work. The wildlife photographers who make it to the field are all highly skilled, physically fit, and mentally resilient. Their extraordinary images speak for themselves.

The teams that didn't get the chance to follow Otis didn't relax either. They prepared enthusiastically, ready to track their assigned animals with full dedication. The breeding season wasn't just for polar bears—there were other animals to document as well, such as the elusive Arctic wolves and the endearing, whimpering Arctic foxes.

The lucky team quickly descended near their target. Soon after, colleagues began asking whether they had spotted Otis and Alexander and whether they were still together.

The team leader responded, "We just landed. According to the tracker, they're still together."

Another team member, who had landed earlier, said, "We've been here for half a day. You're lucky to have a tracker—we haven't seen any signs of the wolf pack yet."

The team leader chuckled, "Good luck."

Photographing wolf packs is particularly challenging. The leader guessed that his dear colleagues were likely camped out on a high point, waiting for the wolves to pass by.

In contrast, polar bears, the unchallenged rulers of the ice, seemed unbothered by human presence, making people feel both dismissed and grateful. Fearless as they were, polar bears only disliked being disturbed during breeding; otherwise, they were quite laid back.

The filming team approached cautiously, not wanting to risk getting too close despite the bears' indifference. Through their long lenses, they spotted Otis and Alexander moving slowly forward, with Alexander's little yellow bucket standing out prominently. The sight brought a smile to the photographer's face: "Oh, Alexander's little yellow bucket sure is sturdy."

The two bears appeared leisurely and comfortable as they walked through the snow, a stark contrast to the heavily bundled photographers with their woolen hats and gloves. Some photographers, in pursuit of better control, even braved the cold without gloves—an act of considerable courage.

After capturing some long-distance shots, the team prepared to take closer ones, focusing on the pair resting. The interactions between Otis and Alexander were always unique, and the entire research station knew they liked to cuddle together while sleeping, even in the sweltering heat of summer.

Eight hours later, the entire team was covertly positioned nearby.

The team leader recorded an audio log: "Following Otis and Alexander for the eighth hour. They've chosen a sheltered spot and seem to be preparing to sleep."

After a moment's thought, he added, "Before sleeping, Alexander overturned his little yellow bucket on the snow and gave it a few taps. That bucket sure is sturdy. Oh, and Otis is using his massive body to shield Alexander from the wind and snow. Such affection."

The team leader had filmed many heartwarming scenes over the years, but there was something about these two bears that always lifted his spirits.

The rest of the team quietly chatted and joked about the sleeping bears. One even suggested, "How about we sneak in at night and steal Alexander's bucket? What do you think?"

Another team member, Ben, quickly shook his head, "Bad idea. I'm scared Otis will give me a good smack."

El, another team member, grinned excitedly, "Hey, we're so close to Alexander. Isn't this amazing?"

No one disagreed with that sentiment; they all nodded in agreement.

Soon, the team leader called them over the radio. His tone was urgent, so the team quickly geared up and headed to the equipment.

When they arrived, they understood the reason for the leader's urgency.

At that moment, it wasn't just their preconceptions being challenged—Alexander's world was about to be turned upside down.

Two minutes earlier, Qiao Qixi had bid goodnight to all his little friends, including his sturdy little yellow bucket, and then found a comfortable spot in Otis's arms.

He closed his eyes to sleep.

Otis, too, had finished saying goodnight to the little bear. He licked his paws but didn't seem ready to sleep; he was neither tired nor at ease.

This unpleasant mood and excess energy left Otis unconcerned about the nearby humans spying on him.

Normally, unless he sensed danger, a relaxed polar bear might even curiously approach a filming crew. Scaring them off would take nothing more than tossing a snowball.

Noticing Otis's irregular breathing, the little bear twitched his ears, a dreadful thought crossing his mind: Could it be? Oh no.

Could Otis be up to no good again?

The little bear stiffened, waiting in anxious anticipation for two minutes before confirming his suspicion. He felt a sharp pain in his ears—Otis was nibbling them with intense, torturous bites.

His poor ears, taking turns being nibbled.

"Ugh..." The little bear let out a soft, dissatisfied protest.

But it was no use.

Soon, his face and neck were also subjected to several bites.

As Otis's breathing grew more labored, the little bear's anxiety peaked.

Without thinking, he bolted upright and dashed away.

No, no, no, no, no! He wasn't about to become Otis's tool again. He was out of here!

Polar bears have a natural instinct to chase anything that runs away from them. But when Otis grabbed Qiao Qixi by the scruff and pinned him down, it wasn't just instinct—it was the deep affection he had for this little bear, an affection that defied the norm.

Feeling the pain at the back of his neck, Qiao Qixi realized a massive figure was looming over him.

Just as he expected, the tragedy from two nights ago was happening all over again.

But this time, Otis didn't bother with any preliminaries. He immediately sought release with the little bear.

Qiao Qixi was stunned. Oh no!

What on earth was happening?

Two nights ago, he had vowed that if this ever happened again, he would leave and never look back.

But now, pinned down in the snow by Otis, he couldn't bring himself to bite Otis's forearm as he had initially planned.

Qiao Qixi knew that his bite would draw blood, but he couldn't do it. Instead, he could only let out a few frustrated whines.

Even though he disliked this, he couldn't bring himself to blame Otis. After all, Otis wasn't human and didn't know any better.

But he still couldn't understand why Otis would choose to rub against a companion with whom he shared everything, day and night.

Didn't polar bears have standards?

In reality, even for two polar bears in the mating season, it wasn't easy for them to pair up. The male had to be attracted to the female, and the female had to reciprocate for them to take the next step.

So... if you think about it, Otis might actually find him attractive?

Qiao Qixi's eyes widened as he was stunned by the conclusion he had just reached.

He gulped, feeling a mix of disbelief and confusion. Could it really be possible? Or was Otis simply seeking peace?

With uncertainty in his heart, the little bear reluctantly remained still.

The strong Otis, completely enveloping the still-maturing little bear, grew more and more intense in his actions.

Unlike the rougher fur of an adult polar bear, the little bear's fur was soft and fluffy, well-maintained.

The closeness allowed Qiao Qixi to clearly imagine what was happening. After all, he had seen it before, and now it was even easier to picture.

Shame!

The heat contrasted sharply with the cold Arctic air, making him feel as if his back was about to melt.

If he were a block of ice, Otis would be the fire, slowly melting him away.

Even though Qiao Qixi knew Otis wouldn't hurt him, he couldn't help but tremble in this situation.

"Whimper..." In the face of fear, the little bear let out a weak cry to show his submission to the powerful Otis.

The soft sound broke the stillness of the snowy night, like a feather landing in Otis's heart.

Otis, who cared deeply for him, hadn't lost his mind. To soothe the little bear, he became gentler, not wanting to scare him.

But this only made the ordeal last longer.

In the end, Qiao Qixi gritted his teeth and decided that no matter how "aggressive" Otis became, he wouldn't make another sound.

He just wanted it to be over.

Nearby, the people filming could only see Otis's back as he sought release, completely shielding the little bear from view.

They could only tell that Otis's "target" was Alexander, but how was that possible?

Alexander wasn't just a male polar bear; he was only two and a half years old, far from reaching maturity. There was no way he could be Otis's mate.

Even if Otis was experiencing restlessness and Alexander happened to be nearby, it was impossible for them to have any romantic feelings for each other.

The normal reaction would be for Otis to leave on his own, not eating or drinking as he searched for a female, releasing his pent-up energy during the breeding season.

Yet now, what everyone had believed to be a great friendship between these two bears seemed to be more than just friendship.

At least, it wasn't just friendship for Otis.

Qiao Qixi had no idea how long it took, but his limbs, pressed into the snow, were starting to go numb. His body ached from holding one position for so long.

Finally, the weight on his back began to ease as Otis calmed down.

"..."

He felt dirty, not just his fur. Qiao Qixi swore he'd take a good bath in the snow later.

Once it was over, the atmosphere that had made Qiao Qixi tremble was gone. Otis's gaze softened, losing the earlier dominance.

He immediately lowered his head to gently lick Qiao Qixi's face, his entire massive form radiating affection.

It was almost overwhelming.

Already suspicious of Otis's behavior, Qiao Qixi was stunned when he met Otis's loving gaze. His heart skipped a beat.

Could it be that Otis...

That look made him feel as though he was being loved.

Of course, Qiao Qixi always knew Otis loved him, but he hadn't realized it might be a romantic kind of love.

Qiao Qixi was dumbfounded for a good half minute before he regained the ability to think.

No, it couldn't be.

How could a polar bear love another polar bear?

Qiao Qixi wasn't talking about friendship; he was referring to love with a hint of desire.

Polar bear desires only emerged during the breeding season, yet it seemed that Otis's feelings weren't driven by the season.

The arrival of the breeding season only made him act out in a certain way. But when the naïve little bear finally understood, he realized that Otis's indulgence wasn't out of fatherly love, nor was it simple friendship.

It was an inexplicable form of adoration.

This realization left Qiao Qixi in a state of utter confusion. If it were true... it was too unbelievable.

Could Otis feel love?

If it were any other polar bear, Qiao Qixi would be skeptical. But knowing Otis, Qiao Qixi had to admit that Otis was highly intelligent.

If Otis were human, he'd undoubtedly be a heartthrob.

Otis had a rich emotional life and a great capacity for expression. It was entirely possible that he could experience love.

"..." But Qiao Qixi was still shocked. From the moment he became a polar bear, he had resigned himself to a life of solitude, without love.

After all, even if he weren't a polar bear, there was still a chance he might never find love.

Romance wasn't a necessity.

But after nearly a year as a polar bear, this unexpected issue of love had appeared out of nowhere.

What do you do when a male polar bear has a crush on you, and you're also a male polar bear—and underage at that?

With this revelation weighing on his mind, Qiao Qixi became lost in his thoughts, his head filled with the truth he had just uncovered.

Meanwhile, Otis continued to gently groom the little bear's fur, his movements tender and careful. Every half minute or so, he would lift his head to look at the little bear's face.

Although he couldn't speak, his eyes said everything.

Can polar bears feel love?

At least, Otis seemed to. But his love was something that could never be expressed in words, nor could it ever be scientifically proven.

Yet it was love.

Revised ✔