The Three Bears: Part Two (complete)

Not long after the storm ends, my best friend comes to pick me up at the ranger’s station. She knew I went on the trip, but when she saw my ex at a cafe, she realized something was amiss. After getting him to confess and punching him in the gut, she came to get me.

Despite my original reservations about staying in a cabin in the woods, I end up having a nice time thanks to Novikov, Yuan, and Luis. They make getting abandoned in the middle of the woods fun, rather than the horror story it could have been.

I get each of their phone numbers, and we start a group chat. Luis and I trade recipes, and he teaches me his secret biscuit recipe. Novikov and I read Truth in Excess together and discuss the latest stories at length. Yuan is a little quiet, claiming he doesn’t care much for the phone, but he responds monosyllabically when I talk to him.

I spend my time going to and from work talking to them, since I have nothing better to do on the bus. I’m in the middle of lamenting this to them when Novikov replies with a thinking emoji.

“What’s that for?” I ask.

“We hire more people during the summer and fall.” Novikov answers. “If you wanted, you could come work here for that time. Then during winter, you could go back home.”

“She’s scared of the woods, remember?” Luis retorts.

Novikov sends a blue heart emoji. “If all she did was run the front desk for us, it would be a huge help. She wouldn’t have to go outside if she didn’t want to.”

“Where would she stay? It’s gotta be a five hour drive for her to get here,” Yuan pitches in at long last.

Novikov sends another blue heart. “We could give her one of the cabins to stay in. If she ever gets scared, she could room with us again, like during the storm.”

That lovely storm. It sure did do me a favor. It got me out of the thick of the woods and into their lovely home. For those two mornings I was there, I was surrounded by shirtless, good-looking men. They were each alluring in their own way, and I had many a romance novel fantasy about them. I couldn’t choose just one; if I could, I would take all three like the greedy brat I am.

“You showed off too much when she was here,” Luis replies. “Both of you!”

“What do you mean both of us?” Novikov answers.

“You did it too, Luis. Don’t act like you didn’t show off a little,” Yuan retorts.

“I did not!”

I send a row of hearts to them. “Let me think about the offer. If all I did was office work and I didn’t have to go out into nature, it could be a possibility. Besides, I could use the change. The breakup has been wreaking havoc.”

“Is he still being a baby?” Yuan asks.

My ex was the one to abandon me in the woods, but he acted like he had no choice in the matter. He’s been trying to apologize and hang out with me again since, but I’m not having it. Breaking up with him was the best thing to happen to me in a long time. I’m not going back to that mess even at gunpoint.

My retail job offers little stimuli, and I could basically do the job in my sleep. So while at work that day, I ponder the park rangers’ offer. Go and work with them at the station and be able to blow off some much-needed steam in the woods. I would have friends this time, and I won’t be left with a suitcase full of lingerie. I threw away all those stupid lacy panties as soon as I got home.

That evening as I ride the bus home, I send the rangers a message. “You know what? If it’s possible, I’d like that summer and fall job in the office.”

“Really?” Yuan is the first to respond.

Novikov sends a row of blue hearts. “I can start preparing!”

“You sure, Mari? You aren’t going to hate it too much, are you?” Luis asked.

I send a row of pink hearts. “I’m excited to see the three of you. It’s been months and I’m wanting a nice change.”

I start making plans with my best friend, who is also my roommate. We find someone who can rent my room for the six months I’d be gone. We pack up my things. and what I don’t take we can fit in the hall closet of the apartment. She drives me down there, intending to stay a few days, but she ends up having to drop me off and head back due to an issue with her mom.

“Goldilocks! Welcome back.” Yuan greets me first with a big hug. He smells good, and his stubble has gotten a bit bushier.

“Thanks for having me! I’m excited to begin working here. Where do I start?”

Yuan smiles. “Tomorrow, eager beaver. We got the things you sent ahead all set up at the cabin. I’ll take you there and let you rest. Luis has already filled the fridge for you.”

I’m given a cabin much closer to the station than cabin thirteen had been. I won’t be near the lake, or see that white monster like I had before. The cabin is a little nicer too, with a bigger bathroom and a newer bed. The boxes I sent ahead are stacked very neatly against the wall by the bedroom door.

“We’ll come by later tonight. Luis wants to make dinner, and Novikov has some fancy vodka from home or something.” Yuan sighs, crossing his arms. “Make yourself at home. It’s yours for as long as you want it.”

I can’t shake the urge bubbling up inside me, the same one I had months ago when we first met. I want to kiss him, especially after all the conversations we had. I’d feel the same way about Novikov and Luis if I were with them. I’d want to kiss them and hold them and feel their big, manly hands on me.

“Your face is getting red.” Yuan lifts an eyebrow.

“It’s warm!” My voice cracks. 

Yuan taps the AC controls. “Easy fix.” He steps out the door. “I’ll give you a call when we’re heading over.”

“OK, bye.” I cover my face in embarrassment. This is bad. I don’t know if it’s pent-up desire or what, but all I’ve been able to think about lately is kissing and holding the rangers. I want to taste Luis’ perfect lips while Novikov’s hand knead my hips, while Yuan’s rough beard rubs against my bare breasts.

Oh lord, I’m doing it again! These guys are my friends. I’m not some sexual deviant. I decide that I should take care of a few things before I meet with them. I unpack some boxes, looking for the unassuming tackle box with a lock I kept. Inside are a few tools, or toys to be more accurate. I can work out that sexual frustration with a vibrator, just to make sure I’m well-behaved when the rangers come to visit.

The phone rings just as I’m getting out of the shower. “Hey!” Novikov sounds excited. “We’re just shutting down the station and getting the radio. We’ll be over shortly.”

“OK, great, I’m so excited to see all of you again.” 

“Luis and I were jealous Yuan got to see you when you got here,” he chuckles. “Well, you’ve been warned. We’re on our way.”

“Just gotta get dressed, see you soon.” I hang up the phone, then quickly slip into something comfortable. Right as I walk out of the bedroom, there is a knock on the door. I unlock the deadbolt and swing the door open. Novikov scoops me up off the ground, hugging me and beaming. 

“Really?” Yuan scoffs as he comes in.

Luis looks a bit jealous as he stands in the doorway. “Novikov, put her down! You could have scared her.” 

“Sorry,” Novikov sets me down. “I didn’t scare you too bad, did I?”

I shake my head, still giggling as I hug Luis. “I’m just as happy to see both of you.” I help Luis take supplies into the kitchen, while Novikov places a bottle in the freezer. Yuan takes off his boots and gets comfortable on the sofa.

“Dinner will be a little bit,” Luis replies. “So if you want, you could play cards or something.”

“Sounds good to me. I think I have a pack in my room, let me go get them.” I go back into my bedroom, and that nagging voice pops up again. I try to shake it off, but the idea has been planted. I shuffle the cards as I walk out.

“Who’s up for strip poker?” I ask teasingly.

Yuan gets a big smile on his face. “I’m game if you are.”

Novikov takes off his glasses. “Is that really a before-dinner game?” 

“It’s an anytime game,” Yuan laughs.

“I was only saying it for a reaction. I didn’t expect you to be all-in for it.” I start dealing the cards. “Just regular poker is fine.”

“He only wants to play strip poker because he’s good at poker,” Novikov sniffs.

“We could always play spin the bottle, or truth or dare.” Yuan continues to tease, but part of me feels like he has that evil little voice in the back of his mind too.

Novikov takes his cards and looks them over. “Why not seven minutes in heaven, while we’re still in high school?”

“Yuan, stop being a perv,” Luis scolds from the kitchen.

“She started it.” Yuan winks at me. “Right, Goldilocks?”

I smile at him, but don’t reply. We play a few rounds of poker before Luis calls us for dinner, which is a Brazilian dish called Galinhada. He makes a vegetarian version just for Yuan. I have three helpings of it before I feel overstuffed. Then the four of us retire to the living room, and I’m sandwiched between Novikov and Luis on the sofa. 

I must have fallen asleep mid-conversation, because when I wake up, I’m tucked into bed. I get up to go to the bathroom, and see that the front door to the cabin is wide open.

I consider running back into the bedroom and locking the door until daylight, but I’m frozen to the spot. As I look through the door, I see something wrap around the frame. A figure steps into the cabin, and looks around before its eyes fall on me.

I seize up in terror as it stares at me - and then I see the pale markings on the face, almost like a mask around the eyes and mouth. My eyes adjust further to the dark, and I can see the figure almost looks like a bear. 

“What are you doing? Close the door!” I hear Yuan’s voice, but the bear staring at me doesn’t move. Suddenly, a panda steps out from behind it, and looks directly at me.

“Oh, fuck.”

“What’s going on?” Novikov asks from the rear.

“She’s awake,” the panda murmurs.

`The white bear I saw all those months ago walks into the doorway. He falls to all fours when he sees me standing there. 

“What do we do?” the spectacled bear asks.

“Maybe she thinks she’s dreaming,” the panda murmurs.

I take a breath and dart my eyes between the three. “What’s going on?”

The panda waves his paw before his face. “You’re dreaming. Go back to bed and question none of this in the morning.”

I shake my head slowly. “No.” I point at them. “This is real. What’s going on?”

“We’re fairies.”

“Stop that! I know your voices!” I point at the panda. “Yuan.” The polar bear. “Novikov.” The spectacled bear. “And you’re Luis. Are you three the boogeymen the hunter was freaking out about?”

“Not boogeymen,” Luis grumbles.

“We’re werebears,” Yuan says. “So calling us fairies isn’t too far-fetched.”

I stare at them hard, taking in the moment in genuine disbelief. All this time I’ve been reading Truth in Excess and never really taking it seriously, but all the time asking ‘what if’. Now, three mythical monsters are standing in the doorway of my cabin, and I’m trying to process as best I can.

“Werebears?” My voice comes out faint and airy. “You mean like the wolves?”

“Basically.” Yuan steps into the room. While he does look like a panda, the proportions are more humanoid than a bear should be. The forelimbs are longer and end in large, paw-like hands. The legs are longer too, but still jointed like a bear’s.

“Why are you here like this?” I ask. “Are you going to eat me?”

“I’m vegetarian,” Yuan scoffs. “Ask those two, they may be interested.”

Both Luis and Novikov have been silent throughout this. Novikov is too tall to stand on his hind legs in the cabin, so he is still on all fours. Luis looks terrified, as if I’ll start screaming at any second.

“We were out patrolling,” Yuan replies. “That hunter and his buddies keep coming into the woods to hunt, even with that last warning we gave him. They’ve been causing all sorts of trouble, so we’ve been on high alert for those assholes. Luis got worried because he thought he saw someone near your cabin, so we came to check up on you.”

I am still a bit groggy so I’m not taking in things like I should. “Did you find anything?”

“Not yet, but we’re sure there’s something out there.” Yuan huffs. “Novikov, let’s you and I head back out. Luis, take care of her.”

“Why me?” Luis gasps.

“Because I said so.”

Yuan closes the door, leaving me alone with Luis. He looks down before his soft brown eyes lock with mine. “You don’t have to be scared.”

“I’m not. Just confused.” I take a seat on the sofa and hold my head between my hands. “It’s weird, and I’m not awake enough to freak out over it.” I’m not exactly scared. I should panic, right? I should freak out that the three guys I have feelings for are literal bears. They’re not bears, exactly - they’re still them. One one hand I want to degrade into a panic attack, and on the other hand I want Luis to stay and hold me and talk to me about this. I take deep breaths, in through the nose and out through the mouth, to keep myself calm as I slowly wake up. 

Luis comes closer. “We aren’t going to hurt you. We all really like you. That’s why we were so excited to have you come and work here.”

“Werebears,” I chuckle under my breath.

Luis comes to a stop, keeping his distance. He’s obviously feeling lousy about the situation and has no idea how to make it better, but that’s a little helpful in a strange way. “How about I make you some coffee? Maybe it’ll help.”

“That sounds nice.” I sit on the sofa, going over all the cryptid stories I happily ingested alongside my cheesy romance novels. Is it so bad the two have blended together? Of course, someone might find that incredibly weird, but maybe that’s the way I need to think through this to keep from flipping out.

When Luis comes back, he’s in human form, wearing only shorts. “Sorry. We don’t exactly transform with...” He shakes his head. “Never mind. Here’s the coffee.”

“Thank you.” I take the mug, then pat the seat beside me. “Sit down with me. It’s OK. I’m freaked out, but I’m not scared of you.”

“You sure?” Luis cautiously sits down.

I nod and sip at the piping hot coffee. After a period of silence, I set the mug down and turn to Luis. He has his head down, and he’s fidgeting with his hands. I lean in, pressing a soft kiss to his cheek.

“What are you-” he yelps in surprise. As he turns his head, I capture his lips. He quiets and leans into the kiss. 

As I pull back, I look into his eyes. “I trust you. Big bear, baby bear, I don’t care. I know you’re Luis and I could never be scared of you.”

Luis and I kiss again as I move closer to him. “I can’t believe you kissed me first,” he chuckles shyly. “I figured you’d do that to Novikov and Yuan before you ever kissed me.”

Now that I’ve started kissing him, I can’t stop myself. It feels comforting. If I can kiss him, then I don’t have to worry. The way I feel for him trumps any anxiety I had about the werebear thing. “I like all three of you. I can’t pick a favorite.”

“We all do too.” His voice is growing more strained the more I kiss him. “Mari, that feels too good. You should stop.” 

I giggle as my lips trail down his chest. “What if I don’t want to?” 

Luis grabs my shoulders, but I can’t tell if he’s going to push or pull. “They could come back at any second.”

I sit up again, looking into his eyes as I tuck my hair behind my ear. “OK, we’ll wait for them.”

I kiss him again just as the doors open. Yuan snickers. “We aren’t interrupting anything, are we?”

“No, I was just telling Luis how much I couldn’t wait for you two to get back.” I stand, greeting Yuan at the door. I kiss him, feeling the fur on his face against my skin. I stand on tiptoe to meet Novikov, pulling him down towards me and giving him a kiss as well.

“Did you get her drunk?” Yuan scoffs to Luis.

“Just coffee, I promise!” He yelps.

Yuan picks me up and carries me off to bed. He tucks me in and gives me a harsh glare. “Get some sleep. You’re not right in the head.”

“I’m not drunk or crazy.” I sit back up. “I kissed Luis because I wanted him to know I trust him, even if I am freaked out about this whole werebear thing. Same to you and Novikov. I like all three of you - a lot, in fact. The bear thing changes nothing.”

“Well, it should,” Yuan huffs. “You hate animals. You shouldn’t be so happy to kiss us, let alone like us.”

I sit up in bed. “You aren’t animals though. You’re men.”

“Half-right,” Novikov murmurs.

I smirk. “Twice as much as my ex was.”

Yuan moves to throw the blanket over me. “OK, that’s enough out of you.”

I grab him, pulling him down and kissing him. He trips up and falls onto the bed, squashing me and causing me to burst out laughing.

“The hell are you doing? You really are crazy!” Yuan kisses me again, ripping away the blanket so there’s nothing between us.

I feel the bed dip and, looking over, I see Novikov climbing in to join us. I meet his kiss while Yuan’s hands go up under my clothes. The roughness of his paws and the softness of his fur makes me shiver. Luis comes into the room, watching from the doorway with a shy expression. He slowly moves in, getting onto the bed and watching as Yuan strips off my clothes. I’m laid out naked before them, just like in my dream.

I cover my breasts with my hands and look up at them shyly. “Not the way I expected my night to go,” I chuckle.

“Nor us.” Novikov kisses my neck while Luis kisses my belly and ribs.

Yuan watches for a moment before joining in. He pulls me close, resting me on his chest and belly while Novikov and Luis kiss every inch of my skin. It’s almost overwhelming having so many hands on me at once. Yuan whispers to me, filling my thoughts with his deep voice and delicious words. 

“You’re hogging her,” Novikov teases. “If we’re going to take turns, then take your turn or let her go to another.”

Yuan wraps his arm around my chest. “Can’t we all have fun together? Fine then, Goldilocks. Which one do you want?”

I’m aching and in need already. I’m not sure how I’m supposed to choose between them. I decide to stay with Yuan. 

“I’ve been excited ever since you mentioned strip poker,” he snarls to me. “I’m going to take my time enjoying you.”

“I hope so. I’ve been daydreaming about the three of you for so long.” I wrap my legs around his waist. “I sure hope you were thinking about me.”

“Every chance I got, Goldilocks.”

He lays me down while the others watch, his powerful body pressing down on mine. Inside me, he’s thick and stout, stretching me more than anything. He snarls and moans in my ear, moving slowly at first. His fur is soft against me, and he feels good to cling around. His movements become rough and hard, pounding me into the mattress as my voice sings out. 

Then I take Luis, feeling I may need to warm up before I go to Novikov. Luis is nervous, almost trembling as I kiss him.

“I’ll be gentle,” I tease.

“It isn’t that,” he laughs timidly. “I really want this. I want you. I’m just, well, not experienced is all.”

“Like I said, I’ll be gentle.” I lay him down onto the bed and straddle his hips. “I want you too, Luis. You’re so beautiful.” I trail my fingertips down his chest and take his cock in my hand. He’s already hard, but I want him to feel pampered. 

I lean down, kissing him and easing down on him, using my hands as leverage. He’s quite long, hitting all the way back inside me. I take my time before I start to bounce on his lap. His eyes are hazy, but he never takes them off of me. His hands roam my body before taking hold of mine. His back arches at the end, nearly bucking me off. I’m not sure how I have the energy for all this, but I feel excited to sample each one of them.

Novikov is eagerly waiting for me. As I crawl across the bed to him, he pulls me tenderly into his arms. 

“Hi,” I whisper to him.

“Hi,” he laughs nervously. “Is it OK?”

“Of course it is.” I stroke my hand over his cheek. “I want you just as much as the others.”

His kiss is shaky from excitement, and his hands can’t seem to find a place to settle. 

“Take your time. No rush,” I coo.

“I know. I can’t help it. I’ve been wanting this, and you’re so beautiful.” He looks me in the eyes. “Do you trust me?”

I grin up at him. “I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t, Novikov. I’m yours now. What would you like?” 

He bends me over the bed, leaning over top of me as he moves into position. Sure enough, he’s like Luis and Yuan combined. I’m glad I had warmed up before taking him. He thrusts into me, biting the back of my neck as he presses forward. His strong hands dig into my hips, pulling me back and lifting me so my toes don’t touch the ground. I cry out into the bed, gasping for breath as I feel the ultimate peak approaching. I topple from it, falling down, down, down, until suddenly it’s morning.

I wake up in a furry nest. The three bears are all sleeping soundly around me. My body is sore, but in the best possible way I can describe. I melt back into my nest of furs, relaxing as the sound of light morning rain filters through the cabin.  

Yuan yawns and stretches, sitting up slowly from the bed. “Fuck, it’s raining.” He shoves Novikov. “Wake up! We need to go into work.”

Luis stirs before snuggling back down into the bed. “Can’t we sleep in?”

“It’s raining. I’m sure we already have a ton of problems waiting for us. Get up! And good morning to you,” he says sweetly to me. “Not often I get to wake up to such a welcoming sight.”

“Good morning.” I kiss each one of them as they get up. They rush from the cabin, but Yuan hangs back and smirks at me. “See you at work, Goldilocks.”

“Oh, that’s right!” I take a quick shower and get dressed heading to the ranger’s station. Luis is sitting at the radio while Novikov is rushing from the back.

The phone rings, and Luis glances back at me. “First duty, take care of that phone!”

I answer the phone. “The Hearthway Nature Reserve and cabin site, how can I help you?”

“Good job, Goldilocks,” Yuan chuckles. “Looks like we’ve got a downed tree near the Hollow. Novikov and I are taking care of it, so if you want breakfast, you’ll have to go get it yourself.”

“Just be careful and come back safe.” 

“Now that we have a honeypot like you to come home to, why would I be a fool and do anything else?”

“Don’t be gross to Mari,” Novikov scowls before Yuan hangs up.

I walk over to Luis and kiss his cheek. “I’m going to go fetch breakfast. I’ll be right back.”

By the time I get back, Novikov and Yuan are pulling up in the truck. The four of us share breakfast while Novikov goes over how to do the cabin rentals, and Luis instructs me on protocols for safety and the phone. Yuan teaches me how to use the radio for emergencies.

Afterwards, they head back out to deal with what the rain has caused. “We’ll see you at the cabin,” Novikov says with a grin.

“Can’t wait.” Everything is just right.