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"What can we get you ladies today?"

Cindy smiled. "Can I get a prey menu, please?"

He blinked, as they always did when she went somewhere new. She was decked out today, wearing a t-shirt with a prey heart on it in addition to her beloved pendant. Still, people still seemed to see the taur first and the prey second.

The waiter looked at her friend, and opened his mouth. "Pred, definitely," the wolfess said firmly.

He nodded and took Cindy's menu to go get the right one. She looked over at Bethany with a grin. "At least the staff hasn't kicked us out."

The wolfess snorted. "Yeah, I'm sorry about that. My family goes there all the time, I forgot they only did meat."

Cindy smiled as she accepted the menu from the waiter. "And that I don't eat meat."

Bethany coughed. "Hard to forget that, Cinds."

Cindy smiled sheepishly. "I don't mean to be-"

"It's not that, it's...forget it. Anything you like?"

Cindy looked at her curiously, then looked at the menu. "Yeah, they've got a pretty good selection."

They perused the menus in silence for a moment. Bethany made a strange noise,and Cindy opened her mouth to ask if her friend was ok, when the waiter came back. "Decide, ladies?"

Cindy smiled. "I'll take the 5lb soy platter, please."

He nodded and looked at Bethany. The wolfess glanced at Cindy for a second and then softly said, "Fox, medium portion."

He glanced at Cindy, then nodded and wrote it down. He slipped off and Cindy grinned at her friend. "You weren't worried about offending me, were you?"

Bethany licked her muzzle. "No, I...I know you're not squeamish about seeing me eat."

Cindy grinned wider. "Still, fox. Is my Mom right to worry?"

The wolfess looked away. "You're my friend, Cinds."

She reached across the table and grabbed her friend's hand. "Beth, I'm teasing you."

Beth muttered something under her breath that sounded like "damn straight."

Cindy blinked and felt a little flutter in her chests. "Bethany, is there something you want to tell me?"

The wolfess squeezed her hand and sighed. "Look, it's..." She swallowed and blew out a breath. "Your mom may be right to worry about me."

Cindy's hearts stuttered. "Really?"

The wolfess looked at her, face embarrassed. "You're prey, I'm not sure you'd understand."

"Try me."

Bethany sighed. "You...two years ago, when I hugged you goodbye before camp, you smelled and looked and carried yourself like any other taur. You had a little weird vibe, but you seemed like an alpha predator mostly. And then two months later, you come back from camp," she swallowed, hesitating. "You come back from camp, and you're absolutely, unmistakably prey. I don't know if it's just that you don't eat meat, or if it's just that you're...all you, all the time, but..."

She pulled her hand away and rubbed her eyes. "God, Cindy, you don't even understand, you can't anymore. You smell...amazing."

Cindy blushed. "Um..."

Bethany gave her a tired smile. "And I just...you're my best friend, and yeah we have a go at it at camp, but...you haven't slipped since that first year. And when we're home...when we're home you take prey precautions around me and it makes me feel like shit cause you're my friend, but...but it's really good that you do, because God, I want to eat you so fucking bad."

Cindy's mouth worked for a second. "I...wow. I'm flattered?"

Bethany sighed as their food arrived. "Sorry, I know that's...weird."

Cindy grinned. "It's...I mean I think maybe we don't tell Mom about that? She'd never let you near me again."

The wolfess groaned. "God, yeah. She looks at me...well, she looks at me like I'm a threat."

"I mean," Cindy said with a grin as she picked up a soy tender and took a bite, closing her eyes as she enjoyed it a moment, "aren't you? What would you do if, say, I walked into a green zone with you?"

Bethany shivered. "Maybe don't do that."

The foxtaur licked her muzzle. "Come on, Beth. Humor me."

The wolfess stared at her. "You really wanna do this?"

Cindy picked up another piece of soy protein and nodded. "I'm intrigued."

Bethany shivered. "I'd...I'd want to use just my body. Hamstring you." She took a bite of her steak, breathing hard. "Those...those hindquarters just beg for it. Just sink my teeth in and go to town. I know I couldn't eat all of you, but...I'd gorge myself on what I could manage. Get a service to take you home. Carve you up and eat you over a period of days, maybe just eat it right off you when the smell drives me nuts. Every bite of you, just for me."

Cindy stared at her, mouth hanging open. "You...wow."

Bethany shrugged and took a harsh bite of her steak, then glared at it. "I eat fox as often as I can get it, but it's not...it doesn't taste like you smell."

"You really want to eat me that bad?"

"Yeah, it's...it's a shit show."

Cindy took a deep breath and grabbed a bite of her food. This was...she was going to have to do something with this.

~~~~~

Cindy knocked on the door of her friend's apartment, hearts pounding. She heard footsteps inside and tried to calm her nerves. The door opened and Beth stuck her head out...and froze.

The foxtaur swallowed and stepped back a little, showing off that she was nude except for a bow around her neck, her pendant, and a little purse.

"Happy birthday?"

Bethany's eye twitched. "That's not fucking funny, Cindy."

"It's not a joke. I'm 18, you're 18 today. And I want to give you something special. Me."

Bethany's breathing turned harsh and she pressed her forehead into the door frame. "Go home, Cindy. Please. Please don't offer me this. I can't...you're my oldest friend."

Cindy put her hands on her forehips, pouting. "You are ruining the moment."

Bethany let out a strangled laugh. "God, Cindy. Why are you doing this to me?"

Cindy sighed. "Ok, do you have your phone on you?"

"What does that-"

"Look up PreySafe."

Bethany took a deep breath and pulled out her phone. She typed for a moment and then waited. She frowned and read what was on the screen, and then her eyes widened. "What...what is this?"

"Old human technology from way back before they went extinct. They were down for eating people, but they were squeamish about the finality of it. Someone rediscovered it about ten years ago. It's...I mean, a lot of late human tech is basically magic, but the end result is that you eat me, and then you press," she pulled out a little box with a button out of her purse, "this, and poof, no harm done."

Bethany stared at the box hungrily. "God, that's...that's so fucking wrong. Why have I never heard of this? I...wouldn't prey be all over this?"

Cindy took a deep breath. "I mean aside from the unnaturalness...they're...kind of expensive."

Bethany looked at her carefully. "How expensive."

"You don't want to know."

"Cindy, how did you pay for this?"

The foxtaur sighed. "I...may no longer have a college fund."

Bethany stared at her in silence. "There was $120,000 in your college fund, Cindy."

"And now there's not."

"Holy shit, Cindy!"

"Look, it was worth it, ok? You can have your best friend and eat her too."

Bethany shuddered, hand reaching for the box reflexively. "Assume...assume we can get past the fact that that makes you some kind of...meat factory. How do we...how do we know it works?"

Cindy licked her lips. "I, um, may have cut off my forearm to test it."

Bethany stared at her. "You're shitting me."

She sighed and pulled out her phone. She pulled up a video and held it up for Bethany to see. It showed Cindy using her field knife to amputate her forearm, her medic experience obvious in her technique. Then she picked up the box and pressed the button. Before Bethany's shocked eyes, the video showed her arm shimmering and reappearing.

"Believe me now?"

Bethany made a stunned noise. She reached out and grabbed Cindy and jerked her inside. The foxtaur shivered, grinning, as her friend hauled her into the house and slammed the door. She was prepared for her friend to fall on her ravenously. She was not prepared for Bethany to grab her face and pull her into a passionate kiss. She shivered and after a stunned moment kissed her back.

Bethany broke away and shoved herself back, breathing hard. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, I-"

Cindy reached out and grabbed her friend's shoulders. "Bethany, maybe you need to be completely honest with me."

The wolfess stared at her, breathing harshly. "It's...I think this is...I mean it sounds stupid to call it, but...I think...I know, I have a massive prey crush on you."

Cindy licked her muzzle. "Is...I don't know that one?"

Bethany looked away. "Preds...aren't supposed to talk about it. You don't develop feelings for food."

"But what does that mean? I mean, I know what a pred crush is, but...you're acting like this is something different."

The wolfess ran her hands through her hair and made a frustrated noise. "If...sometimes the urges get mixed up. Especially when you...care...for the prey."

"Oh. So...you, uh, want to-"

"Kiss you. Hold you. Eat you." The wolfess chuckled dryly. "Eat you."

Cindy stared at her friend. "So...wow. Um..."

Bethany shivered. "More than you signed up for, huh?"

"No! No, I...I'm just..." she stepped forward and gently pulled Bethany in for a kiss. The wolfess shuddered as Cindy explored her mouth and then pulled back. "I mean...you were my first pred crush, you know?"

Bethany shivered again. "Really?"

Cindy nodded. "I don't know if that's...I never...I assumed...I want you to have me."

Bethany swallowed hard. "Even if it's weird and wrong."

The foxtaur smiled shyly. "I don't think it's wrong. And...I mean...I have a safety button, so...it's not like you're killing me..."

Bethany licked her muzzle. "It's still...it's still perverse."

Cindy laughed softly, and held up the box. "So is this. Besides, I'm a taurbodied prey, it doesn't get much weirder than that. And you...you were there for me and accepting of me when I came out, the least I can do is return the favor."

Her friend reached out and ran her hands over her arms. "Just like that. You come over to give me a meal and find out that I want...that I want all of you...and you're just ok with that?"

Cindy smiled and leaned down, gently kissing the side of Bethany's muzzle. "It was never going to be uncomplicated between us, Beth. I knew the moment I was sure the button worked that this was going to be different. I'm ok with seeing where this goes."

Bethany stepped forward and buried her face in Cindy's neck, inhaling deeply. She grabbed her friend's hand and lifted it up, running her nose down her arm. Cindy shivered, staring at the wolfess, her hearts pounding.

Bethany looked up at her, pupils wide. "Last chance to back out," she whispered.

"All yours," Cindy said with a smile.

Bethany snarled and buried her fangs into Cindy's forearm. The foxtaur gasped and winced as the predator worried at her arm and ripped a chunk out of it. Bethany moaned and swallowed.

"Oh my God, Cindy," she whispered, licking her muzzle.

Cindy blushed. "Good?"

"You taste amazing." She ripped another chunk off, drawing a squeak from Cindy. The foxtaur swallowed, staring at the holes in her arm with a shiver. Her prey instincts were at war with themselves, half of her screaming that she needed to run, half of her ecstatic. She breathed slowly, smiling at Bethany encouragingly as the wolfess licked the bite marks slowly, sensuously.

"God," Bethany whispered, shaking. "I never want to eat anything else."

Cindy blushed harder. "You...mentioned wanting to eat my hindquarters?"

The wolfess moaned. "Y-Yeah. Come with me."

She took her friend by the hand and led her back through the apartment. Cindy shivered when they went into Bethany's bedroom. Like the rest of the wolfess' apartment, it was neat and tidy. Even the bed was made. The sheets and blankets were the color of old blood, and it occurred to Cindy that Bethany had brought other prey to bed. "Beth-"

"Shhh," she whispered softly. She gently pushed Cindy back against the bed and the foxtaur crawled backwards onto it. Bethany pushed her down and climbed up to sit next to her. She began running her hands over her friend's flanks, touching and exploring. "You're so beautiful," Bethany whispered.

Cindy shivered and stared at her friend as the wolfess leaned down and licked her hindquarters, tasting her. She gasped as a hand settled between her hind legs, touching her most intimate spot. "Is this ok?"

"Y-Yeah," Cindy whispered. A thumb stroked over her clit and she whimpered, closing her eyes. Bethany continued to pet her and rub her face on her, licking her in places, sniffing deeply.

"If you want me to stop anything, say so, ok?"

Cindy's breath was short as skilled fingers explored her. "I will, I promise."

"Good," Bethany said softly. She licked Cindy's hindquarters and then gently, almost meditatively, she sank her fangs into it. Cindy squeaked and covered her mouth as Bethany bit off a chunk of her. She propped herself up on an elbow and watched as her oldest friend swallowed another mouthful of her and then bit her again. She winced and shivered, torn between the discomfort of being eaten and the feelings Beth was raising between her legs. Coupled with seeing her oldest crush bend down and take another bite out of her, she was almost uncomfortably aroused.

"F-Fuck, Beth," she whispered.

The wolfess fingers stilled and she looked up at her, muzzle tinted red. "Too much?"

Cindy swallowed and shook her head. "N-No, just...intense..."

Bethany smiled lazily and took another bite out of her, making Cindy grit her teeth and pant. The wolfess swallowed, and Cindy watched the chunk of herself slide down her throat. "You're being eaten, Cinds." She licked the bites and then bit her again, making Cindy shudder and gasp. "You're food right now. Delicious, amazing meat."

Cindy swallowed hard. "God, that's...God."

Bethany slid a finger into her and she squealed, backs arching, The wolfess laid her head on her flank, stroking her slowly, a dreamy smile on her face. "Does that excite you, preygirl?"

Cindy whimpered and nodded.

"Good," she whispered. She turned her head and bit her again. She lifted her head, licking her muzzle slowly as she swallowed. "I like that you're excited to feed me."

Cindy closed her eyes, panting. The contrast between the blossoming pleasure between her legs and the pain from her arm and flank was weird, exhilarating. Her hand twitched, her arm starting to move, and then she stopped.

"Were you going to play with your breasts?" Bethany asked softly, her voice amused.

The foxtaur flushed. "Y-Yeah."

"Do it. Show me that you're enjoying this."

The note of command made Cindy's head spin, and she reached up and tweaked her nipple, shivering and letting out a breathy moan. Bethany suddenly bit hard into her flank, worrying at it. She bit her lip and shook silently as Bethany tore a chunk out of her roughly and gulped it down.

"Why so quiet?" Bethany murmured, licking the new gap in her flesh.

"I...I thought p-prey w-were s-supposed to b-be quiet," Cindy said.

Bethany whuffed with laughter and pressed her finger deeper into Cindy, stroking her inner walls. Cindy's eyes shot wide and she let out a keening gasp. "You're being eaten, Cinds. I am," she licked her and then snapped her fangs into her, tearing off another hunk, making Cindy groan gutterally, "fucking eating you. Doesn't it hurt?"

Cindy let out a little whine. "Y-Yes, b-but-"

"But?" The wolfess licked the front of her back thigh and then bit deep into it. Cindy yelped as the sharp fangs tore a chunk out of her, maiming her. "But what?"

Cindy took a steadying breath. "Wouldn't...d-doesn't it m-make you un-uncomfortable?"

Bethany laughed again and nuzzled her flank. "That's the perverse part, Cindy. The fact that it hurts and you're letting it happen? Best part of the meal."

Cindy blushed and smiled shakily, gritting her teeth around a yelp as Bethany took a big bite of her flank. "You...you like that you're hurting me?"

The wolfess paused and sat up, licking her muzzle. "Too weird?"

Cindy stared at her friend, muzzle red in the soft light. "N-No, I just...This is so d-different f-from wh-what I expected."

Bethany stroked her gently. "Is it bad?"

"No," she said softly. "It's...it's kinda hot, knowing you're getting off on eating me."

The wolfess grinned and twisted her finger, making Cindy groan. "You have no idea how much."

Cindy inhaled deeply through her nose. "I can smell it," she admitted softly.

Bethany chuckled and leaned down, taking another bite out of her flank, and Cindy squeaked. "The neighbors can probably smell it," she said with a grin. "You want another finger?"

Cindy nodded, biting her lip. Bethany pushed a second finger into her and began scissoring them, making Cindy buck sharply. As the wolfess stroked and teased her, she nuzzled into her and took another bite, then another. Cindy's eyes were squeezed shut as her friend ate her like any other cut of meat, panting and fisting her hands in the sheets. She felt something rising, making her feel flushed and shaky inside.

"B-Beth..." she panted, face screwing up. "Beth I f-feel w-weird..."

Bethany licked her wounds a moment. "Weird how, b-Cinds?"

"I...I...h-hot and sh-shaky and m-my stomach is t-twisting..."

Bethany went still. "Cindy...have you ever had an orgasm?"

Cindy shuddered. "N-No? I-I've n-never b-been w-with anyone..."

Bethany sucked in a breath. "You're a virgin?"

Cindy giggled, the weird feelings starting to abate a little with the cessation of the teasing at her privates. "I w-was."

The wolfess' fingers withdrew and Cindy gasped. "B-Beth, wha-"

Her eyes went round and she let out a yell of shock as a tongue hit her privates. "O-Oh G-G-God! H-Holy f-fuck!"

Bethany chuckled softly into her, nuzzling and licking her steadily. The feelings that had started to subside came roaring back and she clutched at the bedsheets, shaking. "B-Beth, I...ugh, B-Beth p-please..."

Beth pulled back, licking her muzzle. "What, b-Cindy?"

Cindy flushed, shaking. "B-Bite m-me. Bite me there."

The wolfess sucked in a gasp. "I...Cindy, I don't...I want you to get off properly-"

"P-Please?"

Bethany licked her long and slow. "I...want to, but...you've never-"

"God, please!"

Bethany shuddered and leaned in, her jaws closing. Cindy shrieked, backs bowing, eyes staring out of her head. "O-Oh, G-God," she whispered.

The wolfess took a deep breath and jerked her head back, making Cindy gasp. The welter of feelings in her stomach exploded and she twitched and shook panting, eyes rolling back in her head. She came down and started trembling, shaking from the rush. She jumped when Bethany crawled up next to her.

"Hey." Bethany said softly, rubbing her arms. "How are you doing?"

Cindy stared at her, blinking slowly. "Th-That...ex-explosion...th-that's an or-orgasm?"

Bethany grinned. "Don't you masturbate?"

The foxtaur licked her muzzle, shaking her head slowly. "It's, um, uncomfortable to t-try and r-reach."

Her friend laughed softly. "Finally, the hidden downside to being a taur is revealed."

Cindy blushed. "Y-Yeah," she said softly. She took a deep breath and fumbled in her purse.

Bethany intercepted her hand and plucked the box from it. "What're you doing?"

Cindy blinked. "I...I was..."

The wolfess stroked her face. "I'm still hungry, b-Cindy."

She cocked her head. "Y-You keep stumbling over my name, Beth."

Bethany blushed. "Sorry."

"No, it's...what is it? That you're trying not to say?"

Bethany coughed. "It's nothing."

Cindy smiled. "Come on. You're eating me. You just...you just gave me my first orgasm. And you can't tell me, what?"

The wolfess sighed. "I keep wanting to call you baby."

Cindy grinned shyly. "Then do it. Why not?"

The wolfess leaned in and kissed her and Cindy gagged and pulled back. "OK, ew. No kissing me when you've got...me, on your mouth."

Bethany laughed. "You got it, baby. Now," she traced a finger down Cindy's front, "what should I eat next?"

Cindy shivered. "You've had some arm, some ass, some flank, some...um...filet..."

The wolfess leaned down and licked her nipple, making Cindy gasp. "Mmm...maybe some breast?"

Cindy licked her muzzle and nodded. "That sounds-"

There was a loud chime from her purse and Cindy winced. "Shit, that's Mom, I gotta-"

Bethany nodded. "No, totally."

She pulled out her phone and thumbed on the screen. "Shit, she wants me to call."

Cindy tapped the icon to call her Mom and waited. "Hey, mom...wait mama, slow down...I don't...I'm at Bethany's mama...at her apartment..." Her eyes widened. "Wait, Mr. Ellis the bank manager? The bank manager called you? Why..."

She closed her eyes and gritted her teeth. "Yes, mama, I did...I needed the mon...he what!?"

She pushed up on her damaged arm, wincing. "Mama, he had no right to...I don't care if you're a co-signer on the accou..." she shivered, "Mama, what did he tell..."

"Mama, I can explain...look, it's not...it's for protection! No, it's not a sex toy!" She curled her lips back in a silent snarl. "Yes, that is what it doe...yes, I have it with me. At Bethany's apartmen...Mama! You do not talk about Bethany that way! No, she didn't 'con me into it'! No, it was my idea!"

"No, I will not...Well, I guess Daddy was right, I'm just mewling meat begging to be eaten! Well, what do you expect me to say when you say shit like that!? I have every right to be angry! Look, mama, I'm about fucking done with this conversation. I will say fuck if I want to, I am 18 goddamn years old. I'll be by later for my things. Goodbye, Mama."

She hung up the phone and collapsed back, breathing hard. Bethany stared at her for a long moment, and then leaned over and hit the button. Cindy yelped and gritted her teeth as her wounds shimmered like water and filled in. "Damn, sweetie, warn me, that thing hurts!"

Bethany snuggled up to her. "Sweetie?"

Cindy blushed. "It just slipped out, I can-"

"No, baby, I like the sound of that," Bethany said softly. She planted a kiss on Cindy's cheek, and then smiled. "Hang on, I'm going to go clean up. I have the urge to kiss you senseless."

Cindy smiled. "Sounds good to me."

~~~~~

Bethany pulled up outside Cindy's house and put the car in park. Cindy frowned and touched her arm. "Bethany, isn't that your Mom's car?"

The wolfess stared at it wide-eyed. "Fuck."

Cindy bit her lip. "You can still stay out here if you want."

Bethany shook her head, gulping nervously. "No, if Mom's here, it's better to get all the shit out of the way at once."

They clambered out of the car and walked up to the door hand in hand. Cindy paused and took a deep breath, then opened the door and walked in.

"Cindy?"

"I'm just here for some clothes, Mama," she called out flatly.

"Cindy, you come in this kitchen and talk to me right now."

Cindy ignored her and stalked into her bedroom. She grabbed her saddlebags and a suitcase, filling the former with her medical gear that she couldn't afford to replace, and the latter with an assortment of shirts and bras. She grabbed her phone charger, and a couple of other essentials, and then rejoined Bethany at the door to her room. They linked hands and started to leave, but Mrs. Lawson was waiting for them in the entryway.

Cindy swallowed and clutched Bethany's hand tighter. "I'm leaving, Mama. Move."

"You're not going anywhere until we have a talk," Mrs. Lawson said flatly.

Cindy started forward only to be pulled back by Bethany. "Baby, we have to do this at some point."

Mrs. Lawson's muzzle pulled back in a snarl. "Baby?"

Cindy glared at her, and then let out a slow breath. "Fine."

She backed up down the hall and led Bethany to the kitchen. She hesitated in the doorway at seeing Bethany's mom sitting at the table, and Bethany clutched her hand tightly. As they stepped into the kitchen, Bethany's mom looked at their joined hands, eyes narrowing. A moment later, Mrs. Lawson walked into the kitchen and leaned against the table, crossing her arms and glaring at them.

"Explain."

Cindy gritted her teeth. "You've already made up your mind. What's to explain?"

Mrs. Lawson sucked in air sharply. "You bought a regeneration tool. You blew your entire college fund on it. And then you ran straight to a predator with it."

Cindy raised her chin. "I would think you would be happy that I found a way to be myself without dying."

Mrs. Lawson snorted. "Found a way to cheapen yourself, you mean."

Bethany let out a burbling growl. "She is not cheap."

"You shut up, predslut-"

"You will not talk about her that way!" Cindy snapped.

"Can't you see she's using you!? And you went and made it so she can just treat you like a walking pantry!"

"I love her!" Bethany snarled.

"Oh, do you."

They all stopped and looked at Bethany's mom. The wolfess had her arms crossed and her eyes narrowed. "You look at...that...and see something you can love?"

Mrs. Lawson gritted her teeth. "My daughter is not a thing."

"You called my daughter a predslut," the wolfess said flatly. She looked back at Bethany calmly. "Well?"

Bethany swallowed. "Yes. I love her."

The wolfess nodded slowly. "May I see it? The regenerator?"

Cindy reached into her purse and pulled it out, tossing it on the table. "Keep it, if you want." Bethany made a noise and Cindy squeezed her hand, smiling acidly at the two older women. "They only cost eighty grand. The extra thirty was for the lifetime warranty. Smash it, burn it, grind it into powder, I'll have another one in my hands in two days."

The wolfess glared at her silently, and then picked it up. She turned it over in her hands for a moment. She looked up at Bethany coldly. "And you just...went along with this."

Bethany took a deep breath. "Yes, I did. And I will continue to do so. Because it lets me have a close, full relationship with her without worrying about losing her."

Her mom tossed the box on the table and sat back, lips curling in disgust. "She's prey, Bethany. The only close, full relationship you're supposed to have with her isn't one she walks away from."

"Maybe that's how it used to be, but that," she said, pointing at the regenerator, "changes the game. I wouldn't...I wouldn't be able to..." she closed her eyes. "Let's just say that I am acutely aware that Cindy is prey, and am unwilling to lose her. That box makes that happen, so I am all for it."

The wolfess stood up calmly, locking eyes with her daughter. "You're cut off."

Bethany sucked in a breath. "You can't do that. My trust vested today."

Her mom's eyes narrowed. "Oh, I know. But that's all you're getting, understand? The credit cards are gone. We will no longer pay your rent, your car payment, any tuition that you may have been looking at, nothing. You leave her, we'll talk. Until then, you're on your own."

Bethany swallowed. "F-Fine."

Cindy hesitated. "Beth...sweetie..."

Bethany squeezed her hand and smiled at her. "Don't you start. We'll be fine."

Cindy blushed at the 'we' and nodded, falling silent.

The older wolfess swept out of the room without another word.

They stood there in silence for a long moment, and then Cindy looked at Mrs. Lawson. "Anything else?"

The vixen stared at her and took a deep breath. "Cindy, this is wrong. And you know it."

Cindy cocked her head. "You know how long I've wanted Bethany to eat me? As long as I've known her. Ten years, mama. Now, I would happily have done this the traditional way," she raised her voice over her mother's gasp, "yes, I absolutely would have let her kill me. But Bethany wouldn't do it, because she loves me. So I found a way for us both to have what we want. And I'm not ashamed of that."

She stepped forward and scooped the box off the table and put it back in her purse. "We're going now, Mama."

They stalked out of the house without another word, hand in hand.

~~~~~

Cindy was snuggled down on the couch next to Bethany, just enjoying the cuddling.She knew they were going to have to go out, get jobs, start living in the world again. Well, she was going to have to get a job. Bethany's trust was startlingly sizeable, and if she was careful, she could live on it for years. But for the last week, they'd just been enjoying exploring each other, settling into living together.

There was a knock at the door and Cindy frowned. "Are we expecting-"

Bethany shook her head. "No." She disentangled herself and walked over to the door. She opened it and peered out. "Can I help you?"

"Is Doc here?"

Cindy blinked and scrambled off the couch. "Renata?"

The coyote peered into the apartment around Bethany. "Hey, Doc."

She walked over to the door and stood beside Bethany. "What are you doing here?"

Renata grinned. "Well...your mom called me..."

Cindy put her head in her hands. "Oh, God."

"She seemed to think...well, she seemed to think that you were...shacking up with a predator, and..." Renata coughed into her hand. "She seems to think you have a regenerator."

Cindy took a deep breath and put her arm around Bethany's waist. "True, on both counts. So what, I'm out of the league? Come to tell me not to show my face around any more now that I'm a fucking predbanger with a snack button?"

Renata raised her hands. "Whoa, whoa, slow down, Doc. No-one's saying that."

Cindy took a shuddering breath. "Sorry, just...our parents didn't take it well."

The coyote grinned. "Story of your life, huh Doc?"

Bethany cleared her throat. "Would you, um, like to come in?"

Renata looked at her carefully. "Will I walk back out?"

Cindy snorted. "Beth can keep her tongue in her mouth, Nat. You're safe here."

Renata nodded and took a deep breath. "Ok, then it would be my pleasure."

They stepped back and let her in, then closed the door. Cindy and Bethany took their spot on the couch back, leaving Renata to take a chair. She perched on the edge of the chair, looking around curiously.

"So...why did you come?" Cindy said softly.

Renata looked at her calmly. "Partly to find out if it was true. Partly to see how you are."

Cindy took Beth's hand. "It's true. And I'm happy. We're happy."

"Good," Renata said with a smile. "What made you think you were going to get kicked out?"

Cindy shrugged, looking down at her lap. "I mean...part of being good prey is...dying. And I've circumvented that. I just worry the others will think I'm cheating."

Renata pursed her lips. "Oh, some will. The main thing is, most of us would do it too, if we could."

Cindy blinked. "You...but...the Prey League is all about...well..."

"Accepting death? Making that sacrifice willingly and happily?"

"Um, yeah."

Renata laughed softly. "Nah, Doc. The Prey League is about being prey. That's normally fatal, so...there's a lot of talk about that."

Cindy shivered. "So no-one's going to hate me?"

"I mean, I wouldn't let most preds find out. They tend to give more of a shit about it for some reason. But honestly, the League has been pushing for more widely available regen since it was rediscovered."

Cindy smiled, letting out a relieved sigh. "And the fact that I'm dating a predator?"

Renata grinned. "That might raise some eyebrows, but it's not like it doesn't happen now and again." She hesitated and then looked embarrassed for the first time since Cindy had met her. "Can...can I see it?"

Cindy grinned and scooched off the couch, walking into the bedroom. She came back with the little box, holding it out to Renata. The coyote grinned sheepishly. "No, I mean...can I see it?"

Bethany cleared her throat. "You, uh, want to watch me-"

Renata coughed. "I mean...not if it's weird, or anything..."

The wolfess reached out and took Cindy's hand, pulling her back with a hungry grin. "As long as you're not squeamish. I, um, tend to enjoy her a lot."

Cindy blushed and bit her lip, holding her arm out. Bethany locked eyes with Renata and leaned forward. The coyote stared, twitching, as the wolfess sank her fangs into Cindy's forearm. Cindy hissed as she twisted her head and jerked, ripping a chunk off. Renata gulped as she watched the wolfess savor it for a moment, then swallow, eyes drifting closed. Bethany licked the wound leisurely and then opened her mouth again, leaning in.

"Sweetie," Cindy said softly. Bethany froze, fangs touching Cindy's arm. She looked up at Renata and the coyote slipped out of the chair and stood behind it at the sight of the wide pupils and deep hunger.

"D-Don't mind m-me," Renata said softly.

Bethany growled low in her throat and took another bite, drawing a gasp from Cindy. The foxtaur blushed as she watched her lover savor the chunk of her. "S-Sorry, um, it looks like we're, ah! Um, not stopping til she's done."

The coyote swallowed as she watched Bethany lick Cindy's fingers. "She, um, wasn't kidding about enjoying you."

Cindy bit her lip as Bethany bit down on her fingers one at a time, the soft crunching sound filling the living room. "Yeah, I, ow! I'm her f-favorite food."

Renata looked a little green at the sound. "I can tell. How are you just..." she shuddered at the sound of Cindy's hand bones being crushed, "standing there? Doesn't that hurt?"

"I mean, yeah?" Cindy said with a wince as Bethany snipped off her hand and swallowed it. "But...I mean, I've always dreamed about being ea-ah!-eaten. I knew it," she paused, gritting her teeth as Bethany ripped a bit out of her forearm, "would hurt, but honestly it's, ow! Not as bad as you would think. B-Besides, y-you watched me c-collapse my own l-lung."

"True," she said softly. Renata shivered as Bethany growled softly and tugged on Cindy's arm. The foxtaur blushed and knelt down to give her lover easier access to her arm. Renata took a deep breath and looked away. "I, ah, I didn't realize..."

Cindy giggled, ending in a gasp. "How intimate it was? Y-Yeah, sorry. I s-swear I j-just meant for her to t-take a bite."

There was chewing and slurping sounds for a minute as Renata tried to look anywhere but at the lovers. She jumped at the sound of a loud crunch and Cindy squeaked. "Jeez, s-sweetie, going for the whole thing?"

Renata glanced over and blinked, staring as Bethany sucked on her cracked bones. She shuddered and hurriedly looked away again. "Wow, she, um...really...uh..."

"Every b-bite of me," Cindy said softly, and Renata could hear the pride and happiness in her voice. "She enjoys every b-bite of me, d-down to the m-marrow in m-my b-bones."

The slurping stopped and there was a few moments where the only sound in the room was Cindy's measured breathing contrasted with Bethany's soft, almost growls and murrs.

"You back, sweetie?"

There was a soft chuckle. "Y-Yeah."

Renata risked glancing over and saw Bethany sitting back, eyes closed, a dreamy smile on her face. Her muzzle was tinted red and she was licking her fingers. Cindy was holding her denuded and cracked forearm bones, twisting them carefully. She looked at Renata and grinned apologetically. "You, uh, might want to keep looking away."

The coyote nodded and focused on the wall. There was a wet, crunching pop that sent a shiver up Renata's spine, simultaneous with a soft hiss from Cindy. "There we go."

She looked back and saw the source of the pop immediately. Cindy had removed the cracked bones, leaving a stump just under her elbow. The foxtaur held up the box in her remaining hand. "And now, the magic happens."

She pressed the button and a shimmer appeared at the end of her stump, like light reflecting off water. Cindy gritted her teeth and closed her eyes as the shimmer swept downward slowly, leaving new arm in its wake. A minute later it passed beyond the tips of her fingers and faded out. Cindy sagged, blowing out a shaky breath. "Would you believe that's the shittiest part?"

Renata stared at her new arm in silence, mouth hanging open. "Wow," she whispered. "Um, can...can anyone use it?"

Cindy shook her head. "Keyed to my genetic code, sorry."

The coyote tried to suppress a wince of disappointment and only partially succeeded. "How, um...how much was it?"

Cindy took a deep breath. "You really don't want to know."

"Ballpark it for me."

"I emptied my college fund," Cindy said quietly. Renata cocked an eyebrow. "I had enough to pay for medical school."

The coyote shivered. "So, not in my lifetime, huh?"

"Actually," Bethany said into the silence, "I checked into it after Cindy showed up with hers."

Cindy frowned. "You didn't tell me that."

Bethany smiled as she sat up. "Turns out my baby has really expensive tastes. She went for the top of the line, indestructible, mil-spec, field portable, environmentally powered, closest to human specs as she could get model. With a lifetime no questions asked warranty that cost half as much as the damn regenerator."

Cindy pouted. "It was the highest recommended, best rated, guaranteed model."

"Yeah, the original top dog," Bethany said with a laugh, reaching out to stroke Cindy's shoulder. She looked at Renata with a smaller smile. "Turns out there's a very reliable model on the market, one that has a few drawbacks and two very big upsides. The drawbacks are that you have to plug it into the wall, it's the size of a large suitcase, it ships from the other side of the world, it's about as durable as any home appliance, and it takes three times as long to regenerate."

Renata cocked her head. "What's the upside?"

"It's about two grand, and you can reset it to different people."

The coyote jerked as though she'd been punched in the gut. "I, ah...um..."

Bethany stood up with a smile. "I'll write the website down for you, shall I?"

Renata nodded emphatically.

~~~~~

Cindy stared at the Prey League building nervously. Bethany stepped up next to her and put an arm around her, gently squeezing her. "I cannot believe you did this."

The foxtaur let out a breathy chuckle. "I cannot believe you are so much better at research than I am. Come on, help me get them inside."

They walked in, Bethany pulling a furniture dolly behind her. Renata was manning the counter, a fact that Cindy had been sure to check on when deciding when to bring them up. The coyote grinned and stood up, leaning on the counter. "Hey, Doc! Finally decide to come out of hiding?"

Cindy nodded. "I came to bribe you into giving me a job."

Renata snorted with laughter. "Doc, you have any idea how hard it is to keep staff here? Amazingly, we'll bribe you with a paycheck."

Cindy grinned. "In that case, I'd like to make a charitable donation."

The coyote rolled her eyes and stepped out from behind the counter, walking around to look at the dolly. "Whatcha got?'

The foxtaur put a hand on the cases. "Five household regeneration units."

Renata froze, eyes going wide. "You...what..."

Cindy put an arm around her shoulder. "There are private rooms here, yeah? For pred/prey couples that can't do it at home. I figure we can offer the option to...not tap out."

"H-How..."

"I only spent almost all of my college fund. I had enough left to do something nice for my chapter."

Renata stroked them longingly. "How...are they easy to use?"

Cindy nodded. "Put a finger in the DNA sampler, wait for the ping, when you're ready to come back, press the big blue button."

The coyote swallowed heavily. "When can you have them set up?"

Cindy smiled. "Just point me to the rooms where you want them."

Renata licked her lips. "You, uh, know your way around pretty well. Get the back five?"

"Sure. You wanna come help?"

The coyote shook her head. "I, uh, need to call my boyfriend."

Cindy blinked. "He's-"

"Been dying to get a taste of me for about five years now. I was just...never ready to make that jump."

The foxtaur grinned. "Well, then, congrats."

She nodded and wandered away, looking dazed.

Bethany leaned on the cases. "You are going to make a lot of people very happy, baby."

She grinned and leaned over, kissing her girlfriend. "Come on, help me set these up."

Twenty minutes later, she had them set up, humming softly. Renata poked her head into the room, looking at the regen unit hungrily. She walked up to Cindy with a clipboard.

"Hey, Doc? Do me a favor and sign everywhere you see an 'x', ok?"

Cindy frowned and accepted the board, flipping through it and signing her name a dozen times. "What's-"

The coyote smiled. "Congratulations, you are now gainfully employed. Ten bucks an hour, thirty hours a week, general staff."

Cindy grinned back. "Thank you. When do I-"

Renata grabbed her arm and pulled her out of the room. She stumbled on nearly running into a bear outside. "You start right now. Watch the counter, ok?"

Cindy watched as the bear picked Renata up and carried her into the room, slamming the door behind them. She heard a soft "ping" and then a guttural scream that made her blush to the roots of her hair. She shivered and retreated to the counter.

Five minutes later, Bethany stepped up and leaned on the other side of the counter. "So, your friend didn't waste any time."

Cindy shook her head, grinning. "Nope."

Bethany leaned in and kissed her softly. "It's making me hungry."

The foxtaur shivered and smiled. "I'm at work, sweetie."

Bethany chuckled. "She hired you on the spot to watch the desk, huh?"

"Yep."

The wolfess snickered as the sound of a breathy, "fuck!" wafted up from the back of the building. "Ok, I'm going to get a cup of coffee. Text me when you know if she expects you to work a full shift, baby."

Cindy smiled and played on her phone for a little bit. Middle of a Wednesday wasn't a high traffic time, so she had the place mostly to herself. She tried not to listen to the sounds coming from deep in the building, but with her excellent hearing it was hard not to.

About an hour later, she heard a door open and the clicking of footsteps. She looked up and smiled as Renata and her bearfriend came out into the lobby. The coyote was dressed just in her underwear, which was bloodstained all over. She was under the much larger guy's arm, leaning against him contentedly. Cindy blinked as she realized she recognized him.

"Hi, Karl."

He leaned on the counter, rubbing Renata's back. "I understand I have you to thank for the most anticipated meal of my life?"

She blushed. "I just supplied the hardware."

He grinned and held out a massive hand. "Thank you."

She shook it gently. "No problem, man. If I could put one on every street corner, I would."

He nodded slowly. "Where did you get it, anyway?"

She reached into her purse and pulled out one of the company's business cards. She'd asked for a stack of them when she placed her order, and the company had been ecstatic to oblige. She handed it to him and he smiled.

"Thanks," he said. He leaned down and sniffed Renata's neck, licking her gently. She shivered and closed her eyes. "I think I know what someone is getting for her birthday."

The coyote squeaked and he chuckled and gave her a gentle squeeze before walking off with a wave. She stood there, breathing hard, eyes closed. She licked her muzzle and opened her eyes, looking at Cindy slightly drunkenly.

"Holy fuck," she said softly.

Cindy grinned. "What happened to your clothes?"

"Couldn't get them off fast enough, so he ripped them off me," she said with a shy grin.

The foxtaur laughed. "I think that might have happened our first time too, if I hadn't shown up naked. How...how was it?"

Renata but her hands on her belly, fingers splayed. "He...his muzzle was inside me. He ate my guts out of me." She looked up at Cindy wonderingly. "God, it hurt, but..."

Cindy nodded. "Yeah. 'But.'"

~~~~~

Cindy hummed softly as she sat at the counter. They'd had to hire a couple more people since word had gotten out that there were regenerators here, and the center was open 24/7 now. She was working the afternoon shift, and it had been surprisingly slow today.

"Excuse me," came a soft voice.

She looked over the counter to find a small mouse, maybe 11 years old, staring up at her. He was naggingly familiar, but she couldn't place him. He stared at her in wonder and she smiled.

"How can I help you?"

He blinked. "You're...you're Doc Lawson!"

She cocked her head. "Yeah? I'm sorry, you look familiar, but-"

He shook his head. "We've never met. You pulled an arrow out of my sister Sadie at your first camp."

She snapped her fingers. "Right! How is Sadie?"

He grinned. "She made it to 16, just like she wanted to, one year older than the national average for mice. Then she put on a really pretty dress and walked into the green zone on her 16th birthday."

Cindy grinned. "Good for her. So, what brings you out to the center today?"

He took a deep breath and leaned on the counter. "Is...is it true you have regenerators here?"

She nodded, smiling. "Five of them."

He grinned excitedly. "Excuse me." He dashed out the door as she watched, eyebrows raised. A moment later, he came in, pulling a shy looking cat boy by the hand.

The cat boy looked around nervously, until his eyes fell on her. He stared at her wide-eyed. "You're a taur."

She smirked. "Yep."

He hesitated. "And you're volunteering here?"

She laughed. "I work here, kid."

The mouse squeezed his hand. "That's Doc Lawson, Steven."

Steven blinked slowly. "You're...prey?"

She grinned and leaned across the counter, holding out her arm. "Yup. Here, smell."

Steven took a hesitant sniff of her wrist...and then the mouse crowded around him and took a longer, more thorough smell. She grinned as it clicked.

"See," she said softly, pulling her wrist back carefully from the mouse, who blushed and looked away. "Anyone can be prey, Steven."

He swallowed and stepped up to the counter, lowering his voice. "Does...does it hurt?"

She nodded. "But with the right person, it's fucking magic. When my girlfriend starts eating me, I never want her to stop."

He blushed and glanced at his friend. "You won't-"

"I won't tell anyone, kiddo. A mouse and a cat go into a dining room? People will make their own assumptions." She stood up and put up an away sign. "Come on, I'll show you where it's at."

She led the way back to a dining room, reaching up to flip the little flag over to occupied. The boys slipped around her into the room. There was a bed, a regen unit, and nothing else. She nodded at the unit. "Stick your finger in the hole, you'll feel a little sting, the machine will ping, and the word 'ready' will appear on the screen. Once you hear the ping, it's safe to eat."

Steven stepped forward toward the device and Cindy cleared her throat. "Word of advice?"

He looked back at her.

"Close the door, strip, and get your clothes out of the splash zone before you put your finger in the scanner." She nodded at the mouse, sniffing at Steven's neck and twitching eagerly. "Once they hear the dinner bell, it's hard to hold them back."

Steven blushed. "Um, point taken."

She closed the door and listened with a grin to the rapid sound of cloth rustling. A moment later there was a "ping" followed immediately by a shout of surprise. She grinned and walked back towards the counter.

A couple hours later, she looked up to see the mouse and cat walking out, both of them looking dazed. The mouse's face was stained red. She grinned. "Hey, kid."

They looked over at her and she mimed wiping her face. "You may want to, uh..."

The mouse blinked. "Oops. Um, is there a bathroom?"

She pointed. "Down that hall, first door on the left."

He hugged Steven and went to wash off his face. She leaned on the counter. "How you doing?"

The cat boy stared at her wide eyed. "I...I knew I was safe, but...that was so scary."

She nodded and came around the counter to put a hand on his shoulder. "Scary bad, scary good?"

He swallowed. "He...he was eating me...like, his teeth were ripping chunks out of me..."

Cindy knelt down and rubbed his arms. "So scary bad."

Steven looked at the floor, face flushing. "Yeah. But...why did it feel..." he shivered and looked at her, confusion in his eyes. "Why did it feel so right?"

She reached up and cradled his face gently. "You didn't want him to stop."

He shook his head slightly.

She pulled him into a hug. "Because you're prey, kiddo. And that's ok."

He swallowed and closed his eyes. "But what if...what if it happens and it's not safe? I don't...I don't think I'd...I wouldn't stop them..."

Cindy blew out a slow breath. "Sweetie, how long have you known you were prey?"

He shuffled his feet. "A few months. I...no, that's not right," he admitted. "I've had weird dreams for a long time. My...I look at my older sister eating and...my skin crawls, and..." he sighed. "I don't know. I don't want...I don't know what I want anymore."

Cindy cocked her head and squeezed his arms. "What brought you here today, Steven?"

He smiled and looked at his feet. "Joey said...that there was a way to do it safe, so it'd be like it never happened."

She nodded. "And that appealed to you?"

He laughed softly. "I mean, yeah? I don't...I don't wanna die. But," he sighed and rubbed his eyes. "I already want to do it again, you know? And again, and again, and...how do I tell my...my mom? My sister? What if...God, it's...regeneration is sick, it's wrong, it's-"

"Hey," she said quietly, grabbing his face. "I was raised the same way you were. I know how you're feeling right now. But you know what? It's not."

He snorted. "Yeah, cause why? You're prey, I'm prey, afraid to be prey? That doesn't-"

Cindy sighed. "Kid, I have been to camp twice. I have a collapsed lung from being shot. By my girlfriend, incidentally." His eyes widened and she grinned and pulled up her shirt, ruffling her fur to show him the scar. "I accepted that I was going to die someday by being eaten, that I am food."

She squeezed his arms and smiled wider. "But you know what? My girlfriend wouldn't eat me. Because she didn't want to lose me. So," she said softly, "I bought a regenerator. And now...now she eats me every day. Dinner usually, but sometimes three meals a day. I am prey, one hundred percent. And so are you. There's nothing wrong with wanting not to die for being yourself, Steven."

He licked his lips, staring at her with a strange look in his eyes. "But-"

"Steven," came a soft voice. They turned and saw Joey standing there, looking uncomfortable. "Steven...I...if...look, I was raised prey. I've lost a lot of family, and most of them went out happy. But believe me, if they'd had regen, they'd have used it. My sister, Sadie," he smiled and nodded at Cindy. "Doc pulled an arrow out of her leg a couple years back at camp, you know? And she came home and said it was the best time of her life, and walked into a green zone two months later, because she was prey. And I just...I think she'd have wanted to regen at least once. Maybe not, I don't know, but..."

He stepped up and touched Steven's arm. "Look, preds...preds believe in the natural order because that's all we've had. And they gotta eat, right?" He swallowed and looked at Cindy nervously. "We gotta eat. But...but now, I can eat and have you. I don't have to choose. And you don't have to choose to die to be who you are. And that's not sick or wrong, ok? And..."

He took a deep breath and stepped closer, putting his arms around the other boy. "And if you don't want to come out, or do this again, you don't-"

Steven coughed. "I...definitely want to do this again, I just...it scares me."

Joey nuzzled his cheek. "I know. Believe me, I know. I'm the one that's supposed to be on the menu, remember?"

The cat grinned and slipped an arm around him shyly. "You're nobody's prey, baby."

The mouse blushed. "Yeah. Still staying out of green zones, though."

Steven shuddered. "Yeah, uh...me too."

Cindy patted him on the shoulder. "That's probably a good idea. I won't go near one on a bet."

Steven swallowed. "How...how did you tell your parents?"

Cindy shrugged. "My girlfriend helped me. She took me to my Mom, helped me tell her."

He looked at her hopefully. "They took it ok?"

Cindy winced. "No," she admitted softly. "My Dad disowned me. My Mom divorced him, stuck with me...right up until I bought the regen. She hasn't spoken to me since then."

Steven shuddered. "Then...I can't tell them."

Joey rubbed his arm. "You don't have to,baby. You can just hide it until we're older."

Cindy looked at him shrewdly. "Can you?"

He looked down at the floor. "I..." he shivered. "I have to, don't I? I mean...what...what if they eat me? Or kick me out? Where...I don't know what I'd do."

The foxtaur nodded slowly. "Ok, if...if you can do it, and it's what you need to do to be safe, then that's what you do. But there's shelters for prey, ok? If it gets to be too much, come here, come to me, and we'll make sure you have a place to stay."

He nodded reluctantly. "OK," he said softly.

Cindy gave his arms another squeeze and stood up. "Be safe, ok?"

He nodded and looked up at her with a shaky smile. "I will, uh, Doc. And...thanks."

She nodded and watched them go, wheels spinning in her mind.

~~~~~

Bethany stroked her girlfriend's arm, fingers playing in her soft fur. She laid her head on the foxtaur's shoulder as they cuddled on the couch, watching a movie. "Hey, babe?"

Cindy stared at the screen sightlessly, lost in her thoughts. Bethany frowned and sat up a little. "Babe?"

The foxtaur looked over at her, still somewhere else mentally. "Hmm?"

Bethany put aside her original thought. "Are you ok? You've been quiet since you got home."

Cindy smiled apologetically. "Sorry, just...met a prey kid today who's having some issues."

The wolfess ran her fingers over the back of her girlfriend's head and neck, looking at her thoughtfully. "A kid like you."

She nodded. "A cat. He came in to use the regen, all twisted up on feeling perverted and scared to die, but wanting to be prey so bad."

Bethany blew out a breath. "I can understand that. The perverted part, anyway."

Cindy nodded again. "Do...do you think it's wrong? That we do it this way?"

The wolfess leaned back, considering. "No," she said after a moment's thought. "At first, maybe, but..."

She leaned in and kissed Cindy's neck and shoulder. "But it means I can kiss you. That I can put my hands on you, my lips on you, without worrying about losing you. That I can relax, and enjoy what we have without feeling guilty that just sitting near you makes me hungry."

Cindy blushed and reached up, stroking Bethany's cheek. "And that doesn't make us self serving? It doesn't make us wrong?"

The wolfess rubbed her cheek into Cindy's hand, reaching up to stroke it. "No," she said softly. "Not everyone has what we have, and not everyone understands, but...I think prey should have the option to live their lives freely. If I could do what you said, put a regen box on every corner, in every pred's house...I would."

Cindy grinned and turned and kissed her slowly. Bethany's breath caught as Cindy's fingers trailed down and teased her breast. The foxtaur moaned softly into her lover's mouth and pressed up against her, sliding her other arm around behind her. They made out gently, Bethany shivering and gasping as Cindy teased her softly.

Bethany pulled back, eyes dark. "You gonna finish that?"

Cindy grinned shyly and pushed herself off the couch. She maneuvered around to kneel in front of the wolfess, reaching up to grab her panties. Bethany swallowed as she lifted her hips, letting her lover slide them off her. The foxtaur grinned and leaned in, looking up at her as her tongue darted out, tasting her lover's most private spot. Bethany let out a guttural groan and put a possessive hand on her head, hips twitching.

"Fuck, baby," she whispered. "You look so pretty down there."

Cindy giggled and lapped at her slowly. "Only way I want to eat you, sweetie."

Bethany laughed breathlessly. "Mmm, for you, like this? I'm totally down to be eaten."

The foxtaur shivered and leaned in to take her lovers clit in her mouth, suckling on it softly. Bethany groaned and stroked her head, rolling her hips slowly. Cindy nuzzled into her, excited by the smell of her lover's arousal, the taste of her juices. She slid her tongue into her, reaching up the slide her hands up under her shirt, pushing her bra up and out of the way so she could get at her soft breasts. Bethany laid her head back, panting as she put her other hand on Cindy' head, alternately petting her and pulling her in deeper, riding her muzzle.

"F-Fuck, baby, that feels ah! Amazing," she panted.

Cindy murred happily, loving the casual dominance in Bethany's hands, looking up at her adoringly as she licked and sucked and slurped. She loved the look on Bethany's face when they did this, the wonder and abandon and need. She pressed deeper, sliding her long tongue into the folds of her lover, smiling at the gasps and keening whimpers she drew from the wolfess.

"Ah! Shit, baby, I-fuck!" Bethany snarled as she clutched at Cindy's head, holding her in place as she shook and writhed. Cindy drank her juices, moaning softly as her muzzle was coated. Bethany twitched and gasped for a minute, then relaxed, gently pushing Cindy back from her sensitive pussy.

The foxtaur sat up, stroking her sides gently, licking her muzzle. "You taste amazing, sweetie," she said with a small grin.

Bethany grinned back, looking at her with laughter in her eyes. "You know, if anyone had ever told me that I'd love hearing those words from a taur, I'd have shit myself."

Cindy laughed. "That's cause you're all pred, sweetie." She leaned up and kissed Bethany hungrily. "My pred," she whispered with a smile.

Bethany grinned and nuzzled her neck. "Speaking of," she said with a wry smile.

Cindy blushed and shivered. "Of course," she said with a grin. "I know how hungry sex makes you."

Bethany cradled her face, searching her eyes. "You know I love you, right? That you're not just a meal and a fuck?"

The foxtaur kissed her gently. "I love you too, sweetie. And I love that you want me for all that I am, food and sex, prey and lover, but also your best friend and someone you kiss and hold hands with and watch silly movies with. You're my lover, my predator, the woman that can make me smile, and the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with."

Bethany blushed. "Sap."

Cindy laughed. "Maybe, yeah. But I'm your sap."

The wolfess grinned and kissed her thoroughly. "Wouldn't have you any other way, babe."

Cindy grinned and sat back. "Mmm, I can think of a couple ways I'd like you to have me."

Bethany chuckled softly. "Oh really?" She tugged Cindy's shirt off and reached around to unclasp her bra, sniffing her neck and shoulder. "And what might those be, preygirl?"

Cindy leaned back, cupping her breasts suggestively. "Been a minute since you've eaten these," she said coyly.

Bethany nodded, a mock thoughtful expression on her face as she leaned down and licked Cindy's nipple. The foxtaur gasped and lowered her hands, letting Bethany's hands take over in cradling and fondling her breasts. The wolfess nibbled gently, making her squeak. She grinned and looked up at her, and Cindy shivered at the hunger in her eyes.

Slowly, deliberately, she took in a mouthful of Cindy's breast, the foxtaur's breath hitching. She lapped at her nipple teasingly, making Cindy shiver and whimper. Then she bit down, slowly, her fangs pressing tighter and tighter until they broke skin and her mouth filled with the taste of Cindy. The foxtaur gasped and twitched, gritting her teeth without looking away. She closed her mouth all the way, her fangs slicing through the soft flesh and severing a mouthful of meat.

"Fuck," Cindy whispered, clutching at Bethany's knees. Bethany rolled her mouthful around, enjoying the taste, and then swallowed, watching Cindy watch her throat to see the bite of her breast disappear.

"Mmm," she murmured, licking the hole in her breast, making Cindy squeak. "Delicious."

Cindy shuddered and smiled shakily. "Thanks," she whispered. "You want some ah!"

Her voice was cut off as Bethany went back for another bite, whimpering as more of her ample chest was eaten. She closed her eyes and shyly reached up to stroke Bethany's head.

"Tell me about it," Bethany ordered quietly, looking at Cindy, her eyes dark and hungry.

The foxtaur gently tugged on her head, guiding her lover's muzzle back down to her meal. "It h-hurts," she admitted quietly, gasping loudly as Bethany took another bite. "G-God, it hurts, to h-have, ugh, you b-bite into me, to ow! Feel you e-eating me."

Bethany lapped at the ragged remains of her breast and thoughtfully took another bite, making Cindy squeal. "I see," she said softly. "And do you want me to stop?"

Cindy flushed and shook her head slightly, reaching up to poke at what was left of her breast with a wince. "No," she said, voice trembling, "I w-want you to k-keep eating."

Bethany chuckled and bit off the last of her breast, licking the round wound on Cindy's chest. "Oh, really," she said softly. "Why is that? If it hurts?"

Cindy whimpered and gently pushed her muzzle to her other breast. "Because I'm p-prey," she said in a whisper. "I n-need ow!" She yelped as Bethany bit into her remaining breast, "I n-need to b-be eaten."

Bethany chuckled and swallowed her mouthful, then lapped deliberately at Cindy's breast. "Mmm, I see. Just anyone's prey?"

Cindy shuddered and arched her upper back as Bethany bit into her again. "N-No, ah, fuck!" She gritted her teeth in a feral grin. "O-Only y-yours."

Bethany growled and sank her fangs into Cindy hungrily, worrying at her a little and making Cindy shudder. She tore off a hunk of her, chewing it over. Cindy licked her muzzle as she watched the big bite of herself vanish. "Good," Bethany whispered with a hungry smile. "Because I don't want anyone else tasting my favorite food."

Cindy shivered and blushed. "I p-promise," she whispered, breath hitching as Bethany took her into her mouth again. "I, fuck! I'm y-your prey, s-sweetie."

Bethany nuzzled the last little bite of Cindy's breast, licking at her exposed muscle. She bit it off, making Cindy groan. "Such a good little preygirl," she whispered. She slid off the couch, pushing Cindy back gently. Her fingers trailed over the foxtaur's upper belly. "I think I'm in the mood for some guts, baby."

Cindy's breath sped up and she grinned shakily. "T-Then you s-should have some, sweetie."

Bethany lapped lazily at her tummy. "Mmm, really? You really want me to," she nipped at Cindy, making her squeak. "Rip you open and feast on your insides?"

Cindy shuddered and nodded slightly. "O-Of c-course, sweetie. I'm y-your d-dinner."

The wolfess growled playfully. "God, it makes me hot to hear you say that."

Cindy blushed and pulled her muzzle against her stomach, hands trembling slightly. "O-Oh? Does it m-make you h-hungrier to h-hear that? Th-That I'm f-food for you? M-meat that w-walks around all d-day d-dreaming of coming h-home and feeding myself to you?"

Bethany groaned and lunged forward, fangs sinking into Cindy's stomach, drawing a sharp yell from her. She bit and worried at her, and then ripped out a chunk, making Cindy hiss and grit her teeth. "F-Fuck, sweetie, d-does it m-make y-your m-mouth water when I kiss you? W-when, shit,ow! When I-I c-cuddle you?"

The wolfess growled softly and looked up at her, muzzle red. "All the time, baby. I fall asleep smelling you, tasting you in my dreams." She leaned down and bit her again, a ragged gasp leaving Cindy's lips. She swallowed with a dreamy smile. "And does that make you hot, baby? Knowing I want to take a bite of you, just eat until I explode, every time I get near you?"

Cindy whimpered and nodded jerkily. "S-So h-hot," she whispered. "S-Sometimes I d-dream th-that you're eating m-me, l-like I u-used to w-when we were l-little, ah! And th-then I w-wake up an-and I'm w-whole and f-for a m-moment I'm d-disappointed."

She looked down at the growing hole in her stomach, panting, and grinned shyly. "A-And th-then I r-remember that a-all I h-have to d-do is w-wait an-and it w-will be, ow, real."

Bethany pushed her muzzle into her and licked her guts, making her moan uncomfortably at the weird sensation. Her hands rested on Bethany's shoulders, squeezing reflexively as she grunted when her lover sucked a mouthful of her insides up and bit into them. The wolfess slurped and bit and swallowed a few times, running her hands gently up and down Cindy's sides.

She pulled back, licking her muzzle and smiled up at Cindy. "Would you like that, baby? To wake up to find me eating you?"

Cindy let out a helpless little noise and nodded eagerly. "F-Fuck, yes!"

Bethany leaned down and shoved her muzzle into Cindy, sucking out another bite of her guts, making the foxtaur whimper. "Tell me," she murmured into Cindy's stomach. "Tell me about your dreams."

Cindy whimpered again and closed her eyes, reaching up to stroke her fingers across the wound where her breasts had been. "I-I w-was t-ten th-the first time," she whispered. "W-we were s-sleeping over. W-we had r-rabbit f-for dinner, and sh-she was s-so calm and q-quiet as...as she w-was eaten and y-you looked s-so beautiful w-with y-your m-muzzle all red and y-you were l-laughing and telling her h-how g-good she tasted."

Cindy looked down at her in wonder as she sucked in more of her guts and grunted as she snipped them off, swallowing and going back for more without pulling her muzzle free. "I w-wanted s-so b-badly t-to climb up on the t-table and b-beg you t-to eat me instead. I w-wanted y-your muzzle to be r-red with me, t-to h-hear you t-tell m-me that I t-tasted good."

Bethany growled softly and turned her head, biting a chunk out of her abs, widening the hole. Cindy grunted and reached down to stroke her head encouragingly. "W-We went t-to bed, and w-we were s-so close, r-remember? W-we shared y-your bed." Cindy whuffed with laughter, wincing as her girlfriend took another bite, widening the hole in her upper stomach further. "Y-You were t-teasing me a-about m-my lower half t-taking up s-so much space. And then I-I f-fell asleep, and..."

Cindy closed her eyes, smiling and hissing as Bethany went back to pulling out her guts. "I d-dreamed it w-was r-real. I dreamed y-you w-were chasing me, and w-we were l-laughing, and th-then you t-tackled me. And you," Cindy moaned as Bethany took an especially big bite, her abdomen starting to feel empty, her upper lung working harder without her guts holding it up. "Y-you b-bit m-my back, and G-God, I s-screamed cause it h-hurt, and y-you d-didn't stop. You j-just k-kept eating and I-I b-begged you f-for it l-like a p-preyslut. I b-begged and begged an-and y-you ate me wh-while I s-screamed f-for you n-not to stop. Y-you ate me i-impossibly, s-so much m-more th-than you c-could ever eat, ah!"

She looked down at her, shaking, as Bethany went back to eating her abs, staring in amazement at the gaping hole in her stomach. "E-every b-bite of me, c-cleaning m-my bones u-until j-just my h-head was left. Y-you were s-stained r-red head to t-toe, l-looking s-so beautiful and p-powerful. An-and then you l-licked y-your m-muzzle and t-told me you s-should h-have e-eaten me a l-long t-time ago, th-that I w-was s-so o-obviously p-prey. Th-that I w-was s-so delicious y-you had t-to eat a-all of m-me."

Bethany sucked out the last of her guts and then sat up with a contented sigh. She reached out and lazily traced the hole in Cindy's stomach, barely any abs left. "And then what happened?"

Cindy smiled, trembling, as she looked down at the fingers probing her wound. "I w-woke up. An-and I f-felt g-guilty f-for d-dreaming ab-about you th-that way. An-and sad that i-it wasn't r-real. Th-That you'd n-never w-want to eat me."

Bethany laughed softly. "And now I can't stop eating you."

The foxtaur blushed and nodded. "Y-Yeah. D-Dreams do c-come t-true, huh?"

The wolfess grinned lazily. "Do you want to heal before I go down to the other end of you and taste you my other favorite way?"

Cindy shivered. "N-no," she whispered. "F-Fuck m-me l-like this. H-half e-eaten, l-like the p-preyslut I am."

Bethany growled and crawled down next to her, pushing her over on her side. She grunted and winced as her shredded stomach screamed at her, and then she moaned as Bethany buried her reddened muzzle in her sex. Her eyes drifted closed on a wave of pain and pleasure as the wolfess lapped at her hungrily, the mouth that had just been buried in her guts devouring her in a whole different way.

She gasped and clutched at the carpet as Bethany pushed two fingers into her and found that special spot inside her, teasing and stroking at it as she lapped at her folds and suckled on her clit.

"Oh, f-fuck, Beth! Fuck! Ah! Th-That ah! Fuck, yes!"

Bethany laughed and nuzzled into her, tasting and teasing her. "I like it," she murmured between slurps, "when you say my name like that. All needy and shit."

Cindy groaned and started to shake. "Ah! Th-That's b-because I fuck n-need you!"

Bethany growled low and soft, and the sound coupled with the knowledge that a predator's mouth, her mouth, was right there on those most sensitive parts had Cindy gasping and twitching and so fucking close. The wolfess' voice was husky as she growled out, "Tell me what you need, baby."

Cindy clutched at the carpet, eyes rolling in her head. "Ah! B-Beth, I...I n-need y-you t-to e-eat me! T-to fuck, t-to...t-to..."

Bethany chuckled, low and hungry. "Say it, preygirl. Tell me what you want right now."

The foxtaur whimpered. "I w-want t-to cum! P-Please, B-Beth, p-please make m-me c-cum!"

Bethany snarled eagerly and bit, not hard enough to pierce skin, but hard enough to make Cindy squeal as she was pushed over the edge. The foxtaur screamed as the tension in her pussy released, and her whole body shook, the blast waves of pleasure washing over her. The wolfess worried at her gently, her fingers pressing hard against that spot inside her as her tongue curled and flicked over her clit. Cindy keened and jerked as the pleasure rode her, the jerking of her muscles calling her attention to the parts of her that had been eaten.

She came down slowly, shaking softly all over, panting with her eyes closed. She whimpered as Bethany's fingers slid out of her, and then the wolfess crawled up to lay next to her, stroking her face.

Cindy opened her eyes, glazed with exhaustion and pleasure, and she grinned tiredly. "Ow," she whispered.

Bethany laughed softly. "Ready to heal, I take it?"

Cindy nodded, still too out of it to really string words together. She closed her eyes as Bethany got up and padded into the bedroom. A few moments later, the wolfess sat down and pulled her head into her lap. "Give me your hand, babe."

She reached up and took Bethany's hand, and then let out a squeal as the healing kicked in. Bethany set the box down and rubbed her back as it worked. She gritted her teeth and panted as her breasts grew back and her stomach filled in. A few agonizing minutes later, she was whole again, and she let out a slow, shaky breath. Bethany squeezed her hand gently.

"Better?"

She nodded, blinking tiredly. "Go, um, clean your face off? I want to kiss you."

Bethany laughed softly and got up, leaving her laying on the floor, stretching out her aching muscles and feeling the weirdness of her upper chest and stomach not hurting contrasted against the aches in the rest of her. A minute or two later, Bethany laid down next to her and captured her lips, slowly making out with her.

They lay there for a while, kissing softly, Cindy running her hands lazily over the wolfess in wonder that this beautiful woman wanted her so thoroughly, her oldest dream a reality.

After a while, she pulled back, just content to look at Bethany's face. "I love you," she whispered.

Bethany grinned. "I love you too, Cindy."

Cindy smiled shyly, and then some of her earlier thoughts came back. She reached up, hunting around until she found the box. She picked it up and stared at it quietly, turning it over in her hand.

"You're not still thinking of this being wrong, are you?" Bethany asked quietly.

She shook her head. "No, just...I've been thinking."

"About what?"

She pillowed her head on her arm and looked at Bethany cautiously. "You know how many of the cheaper regen units I could buy for the cost of this thing?"

Bethany cocked her head. "Baby, you didn't know. You did your research and bought the safest, most recommended unit."

Cindy nodded, looking at it silently for a moment. "Would...would you be happy with one of the ones we gave the center?"

Bethany blinked and propped herself up on one arm. "I mean...I'm not going to lie, I'm a little...attached to that one. It's a lot safer because it can't break, and we can go," she grinned slightly, "camping with it."

Cindy shivered. "Mmm...yeah..."

The wolfess reached out and stroked her face. "Why are you asking?"

Cindy took a deep breath. "Because it has a ninety day return period. And...I could put regen units in every major Prey League center in three states with what I paid for this. More if we only donate a couple to each one instead of five."

Bethany stared at her thoughtfully. "That...that's ambitious. Leading the charge for regen, huh?"

Cindy nodded. "I...after camp, I always thought that if I grew up I'd go to medical school. Help people that way. But...Beth, I think I want to become an activist. Help people like me, give prey more options."

Bethany stroked her face softly, smiling. "Doc Lawson to the rescue, huh?"

She blushed. "Yeah," she said with a shy grin. Her face turned sober. "This kid today...Beth, he was terrified. He wanted to be prey, but he didn't want to tap out. And he was sick with fear that his parents would react like mine did. And..."

She blew out a breath. "His boyfriend, his pred? Was a mouse."

Bethany blinked. "Wow. That's...wow."

She nodded. "And I can't help but think...we draw the lines so hard between who's pred and who's prey because it's fatal to be prey." She held the box up. "But it doesn't have to be. Not anymore. Beth, we've had this ability for a decade and no-one talks about it. Everyone's scared that it's perverse, that it's wrong. But...we're living proof that it's not. Karl and Renata are closer than ever. Prey kids have been swamping the center, bringing in any pred with an open mind and empty stomach. Hell, they've been asking us if we can put in a kitchen and an outdoor cooking area."

Bethany shivered. "Mmm...that sounds exciting."

Cindy grinned and poked her in the ribs. "You just ate."

"So the thought of you roasting on a grill excites me. Sue me."

Cindy snorted with laughter. "I'm more likely to jump on a grill than sue you, but focus, Beth."

She set the box down and reached up to wrap her hands around Bethany's neck. "Can you imagine if we had these at camp? At school? In kiosks in green zones?"

Bethany blinked. "Wow. Um." She licked her lips, eyes unfocused as she turned the idea over. "That's a lot of...that's ambitious as hell, baby. The traditionalists will fight you. Hard."

She shivered as a new thought entered her mind. "Cindy, they'll try to eat you. One whiff and they'll know you're prey, and...baby, you'll never be safe again."

Cindy took a shuddering breath and smiled. "You forget, I was raised traditionally. I accepted a long, long time ago that I was going to disappear down someone's throat for good someday. If it's for a good cause-"

Bethany took her by the shoulders. "I don't want to lose you, baby. I don't want you to walk out the door and not come back. If you're going to tap out, I...I want to be the one to tap you out. The thought of some...some hitpred eating you to shut you up..."

Cindy stroked her face gently. "I know. I know, sweetie. It scares me too. I want to grow old with you, I want to live a long, full life with you." She blushed. "I want...I want to raise kids with you. But...but the knowledge that this is an option, that prey could have those kinds of lives, that we could all be equal...and that there's no goddamn good reason that we're not...that makes me so sad and not a little angry, sweetie. I can't help but think of the kids like me that want this but are terrified of it, or the kids like you that want people like me, but can't have us because...because of where the lines are drawn."

Bethany licked her muzzle and blew out a breath. "I...I know," she said quietly. "And it does me too. But...does it have to be you?"

Cindy took a deep breath. "No," she said quietly. "I...it's a little embarrassing to admit, but we both know you wear the pants around here. And you've...you're my world, Beth. I can't stand the thought of you hurting. If you don't want me to do this...I won't. I'll stick with working as a counselor for the Prey League, I'll...I'll help in some other way."

Bethany stared at her for a long moment, searching her face. "No, you won't," she said with a sigh. She raised a hand to forestall Cindy's protests. "Because that's not who you are. You're Doc Lawson, the kid who walked into prey camp ready to tap out, coming off being disowned and years of suicidal ideation and depression, and immediately jumped into one of the highest risk jobs to save lives. You're the kid who permanently collapsed her own lung to keep going because the other prey kids needed you."

Bethany smiled nostalgically. "You're the kid who walked up to the staging ground for her second camp wearing a hot pink t-shirt that said 'medic' over a rainbow prey heart and then did double duty as a leaguer, saving the other prey kids even though every hunter at the camp wanted to turn you into an arrow quiver. You're the kid that pulled a hundred and fifty prey kids out of survival camp on her second year by sheer force of will. You're the kid that performed guerilla heart surgery with a field medic kit twice in one camp and managed to keep both patients alive."

She laid down and nuzzled Cindy's muzzle gently. "You've got two bleeding hearts and a prey soul, and I wouldn't have you any other way, my love. So," she said taking a deep breath, "we are going to do this. Together. Because that's who you are, and I'm nothing without you."

Cindy blinked away tears and kissed her softly. "God, I love you."

Bethany chuckled and pulled her into a hug. "I love you too, baby." She pulled back and cocked an eyebrow. "Now, what was this about kids?"

Cindy blushed. "Um."

~~~~~

Cindy sat nervously in the regional office of the Prey League, holding Bethany's hand for support. Across the desk from her, the chicken woman was reading over her proposal, her face seemingly flat. Cindy tried not to be racist, but there weren't many avians where she came from and she had a hard time reading such a different face, which made her even more nervous.

The woman closed the slim folder and looked at her curiously, head cocked to one side. "To be clear. You're financing the initial pilot out of pocket?"

Cindy cleared her throat. "Uh, yes ma'am. I've actually, um, tested the waters at my own chapter and it's been very-"

The chicken interrupted. "I read your community surveys and affidavits, Ms. Lawson."

She blushed. "Yes ma'am."

The chicken leaned back in her chair, tapping her wing on the folder. "I also read your very pretty, nicely politically correct statement of intent. It was...interesting." She cocked an eyebrow. "In your own words, Ms. Lawson: why."

Cindy took a deep breath. "Because I...Mrs. Karnacki, I've been on both sides. I was expected to be a pred, and I've always been prey, even when I was closeted. I was raised to believe in traditional values by a taur supremacist. I have seen the fear in children's faces when they cross the line one way or the other. I have felt that fear. When," she tightened her grip on Bethany's hand, "my girlfriend told her mother that she loved me, she was disowned. Because she loved a preygirl, and prey are supposed to die."

Cindy swallowed. "Mrs. Karnacki, I believe in the nobility of prey. I believe in the right of prey to choose to walk into a green zone and tap out. I believe in traditional values, Mrs. Karnacki. But..."

She closed her eyes. "Mrs. Karnacki, there's something fundamentally wrong with the way preds view prey. More and more, they don't see us as people who choose to be eaten, but as meals that can talk. In this country, 87% of political appointments are held by preds, 93% of the top positions in business are held by preds, 63% of all college graduates are preds, 87% of all masters level graduates are preds, and 94% of all doctoral level graduates are preds."

She opened her eyes and looked at the woman earnestly. "Prey pay three times as much for health insurance as preds do, often with larger families and lower paying jobs. Preds are eight times more likely to own their own house, eleven times more likely to own a business, and fifteen times more likely to be approved for a long term loan."

"The national average for prey lifespan is 17 years, Mrs. Karnacki, and that number drops sharply for traditional prey species like mice, rabbits, squirrels, and for predbodied prey who come out at a young age."

She took a deep breath and leaned forward, tapping the folder. "Regeneration levels the playing field. It frees prey to live for something other than prey pride, to live for themselves rather than as meat waiting to be eaten. I've seen, personally, prey climb over each other to get at a regen appliance so they could live their truth and live."

"They're cheap, Mrs. Karnacki. They're effective. They improve quality of life, break down barriers between pred and prey, and allow prey to have the deep, joyous experience of fulfilling their role in society over and over instead of requiring they get their affairs in order."

She squeezed Bethany's hand shyly. "I can, um, personally attest to the huge improvement to my quality of life that comes from having one of these appliances available. Not a day goes by that I'm not food for Bethany."

Mrs. Karnacki raised her eyebrows and Cindy blushed and pushed on. "Bluntly, Mrs. Karnacki? Prey should always have the option to tap out. And I'm not looking to change that. But they should also have the option to live that truth and walk away to live another day."

The chicken tapped her talons on the ground under the desk, staring at her thoughtfully. "Alright."

Cindy blinked. "Um, alright?"

She nodded, sliding the folder back across the desk. "I'll allow a pilot program. Put your regen units in the centers you specified. If the response is positive after a year or two, we'll look at the possibility of taking this national."

Cindy grinned widely. "Thank you," she said softly. "I'll, um, start distributing them as soon as they arrive."

Mrs. Karnacki nodded and pushed the folder back across the desk. "You will also be responsible for overseeing this initiative, and for liasing with PR about any problems that arise. Expect to spend a lot of time on the road, Ms. Lawson."

She blew out a breath. "Yes, ma'am."

The chicken reached into her desk and pulled out a stack of forms. She pushed them across the desk. "Start reading and signing, Ms. Lawson, you're going to be here a good minute."

Cindy blinked. "I...I'm sorry, ma'am, um, what are these for?"

Mrs. Karnacki looked at her and this time there was no mistaking the twinkle in her eyes. "You want to head up a big initiative in multiple states that's going to be a massive PR headache? Then you're going to need some authority and a hell of a lot of oversight. So you're going to sign these papers and work directly for my office as a salaried representative of the Prey League Southwest, with all the lovely little constraints, paperwork, and duties that come with that."

Cindy blinked. "Um."

The chicken laughed softly. "Oh, did you think I was just going to let you put your units in and then run around wild and free? A loose cannon waiting to go off? No, Ms. Lawson. You do this officially, or not at all."

She pushed the papers closer to her. "So you can sign on and accept the limitations of doing this as an employee of the Prey League acting within the structures of the organization and limited by the structures of the organization, or you can take your initiative elsewhere. Are we clear?"

Cindy stared at the paperwork. "What...what would be my duties?"

The chicken sat back and folded her wings. "Smart girl. There's no position for 'regeneration consultant.' Outside of overseeing your little project? You're a travelling troubleshooter. You go where I tell you, when I tell you, picking up the slack and reporting back as needed. Is that a problem?"

Cindy took a deep breath. "N-No, ma'am. I had intended for this to be...a career, I just...wasn't, um, expecting to get, uh, paid for it."

Bethany leaned forward. "Just to be clear, how much will you be paying her for this?"

Mrs. Karnacki smiled. "Forty thousand a year."

Cindy coughed sharply. "Uh, I, um-"

The chicken laughed again. "Don't look so startled, 'Doc.'"

Cindy jumped and stared at her.

"Oh yes, I know about you. I've heard good things. And, well, my last assistant got eaten a few weeks back." She smiled wryly. "Bluntly, I have a position open that will allow me to make sure you stay in line, I've heard excellent things about you, and I've got something you want. Win-win, Ms. Lawson. In or out?"

Cindy licked her muzzle and grabbed the paperwork. "I look forward, um, to working with you, ma'am."

~~~~~

Cindy sat quietly at her desk, running her hand over the scratched and worn surface. She was working out of her local center for now, and three weeks in, the job still didn't seem real. She'd had a two day training blitz, and then slammed headfirst into the mountain of paperwork that came with being what amounted to a cross between an executive assistant, a floating project manager, and (thanks to the initiative she was heading up) a junior executive. It was...daunting, but at the same time, she was plugged into and working for the cause of prey rights on a level she hadn't imagined. She was still adjusting, but she could see how this job would be very rewarding once she got into it.

There was a knock at her door and she looked up, smiling at seeing Renata standing there. "Hey!"

The coyote leaned on the door frame and grinned at her. "There's a fucking massive shipment here, Doc. What the hell did you order, a new office, walls included?"

Cindy grinned excitedly and stood up. "You remember I said there was, um, a reason Mrs. Karnacki hired me?"

Renata snorted. "You mean beyond the fact that you showed up in her office looking capable and she needed someone that wasn't going to get eaten in a month?"

Cindy rolled her eyes. "I told you I had a surprise, Renata."

The coyote snickered. "Well, now I believe you. Here I thought it was just taur charm and all the nice things people said about you when she asked for references."

The foxtaur winced and sighed and put an arm around her shoulder as they walked out of her office and down the hall. "Look, I...I don't know if being a taur helped me or not. Maybe it did, I-"

Renata laughed. "Doc, I ain't accusing you of anything. Hell, I don't eat people and I can smell that you're not really a taur anymore." She twitched and looked embarrassed. "I mean...that is, um...not...not like..."

Cindy grinned. "I get it, Nat. I lost the taur aura when I came out. People might mistake me for one on first glance, but yeah, no one that gets close enough to smell me is going think I'm," she took a deep breath, letting a few different words slide by, "a pred."

Renata nodded, looking relieved. "Exactly."

They stepped out into the lobby and the delivery lion stared at her. "Uh, Ms...Lawson?"

She nodded. "That's me."

Proving Renata's point, she saw his nose flare almost imperceptibly and then his expression shifted from one of mild surprise and caution to...she looked away from his face uncomfortably at seeing the slight hunger there. Almost three years and she still wasn't used to being looked at that way.

He held out the little digital pad to her. "Sign, please."

She reached out and swiftly signed for it, then smiled at him. "Um, where are they?"

He stepped over and opened the door. She looked past him at four pallets of boxes. "Holy shit. Uh, thanks, we'll take it from here, I guess."

He nodded and started to walk away, then paused. "Incidentally, I have a family thing this weekend. We're having a barbecue. You interested?"

She blushed. "Um, sorry, I'm spoken for."

He licked his muzzle and nodded. "Well, if that should change-"

Cindy wanted the ground to swallow her. "You'd have to get in line," she said with a small smile.

He huffed and left. She watched him go, waiting for the truck to leave before venturing outside. Renata chuckled and put a hand on her shoulder. "You still feel weird getting hit up like that?"

Cindy looked at her friend. "You don't?"

Renata shrugged. "I've been at it a lot longer than you have. And," she said with a grin, "I don't look or smell as tasty as you do."

Cindy jabbed her in the ribs with her elbow. "Karl seems to like you just fine, Nat."

The coyote blushed, and shrugged. "Yeah," she admitted with a small grin. "You know he bought one of those things, yeah?"

Cindy pushed out into the parking lot,calling over her shoulder, "Yes, Renata, you only told me six times. And you get a really goofy grin whenever he texts you or picks you up from work."

The coyote laughed as she followed her. "Aw, come on, Doc. You and that wolf of yours are a million times worse. I swear, the only way you two could be any more stuck on each other is if she started eating you in public."

Cindy blushed and walked up to the pallet. She tugged on the plastic holding it closed, then slid one blunt fingernail in, tearing at it. "Yeah, yeah. Help me get this shit inside."

Renata grinned and stepped over to a second pallet. She tore the plastic and then went still as she recognized the shipping label. "Doc...these are regenerators."

"Yup."

The coyote stared at her. "Doc, this is four pallets of regenerators. That's got to be-"

"Fifty-five of them.

She blew out a breath. "Doc, what the hell are you going to do with fifty fucking five regenerators?"

Cindy stopped and looked at her excitedly. "You are looking at the proud head of the Prey League Southwest Regeneration Initiative."

Renata blinked slowly. "You...what?"

"I am going to put three regen units in every major center in the region, Nat," Cindy said with a smile.

The coyote's mouth worked for a second. "Holy shit, Doc. Holy fucking shit. This is why she hired you?"

Cindy nodded. "Said I could run a pilot program on the condition that I ate every last bit of paperwork she could dump on me, accepted oversight, and was the sacrificial lamb for the PR circus."

Renata stared at the units for a long minute and then stepped up to Cindy. She put her hands on her shoulders and stared up at her, worry etched on her face. "Doc, have you thought this through? There's...there's been people making really unhappy noises about our units already. The only reason we haven't had full scale protests is that people...preds aren't really completely aware of it yet. The word is spreading and I've had to duck reporters for a couple weeks now."

She swallowed heavily. "You do this, you equip every center from here to the border with regen...Doc, they'll crucify you. This isn't just some little center with some private rooms, you're talking a regional initiative. You're talking press, Doc. You...Doc, this is..."

Cindy grabbed her arms gently. "I know, Nat. Why do you think Mrs. Karnacki hired me? It sure as the hell wasn't because I was paying for the units. It was because she needed someone to throw to the lions, someone to take the brunt of the backlash. I know I'm slapping a neon target over my hearts, Nat. But God, someone has to. Someone has to do something. We've proved that younger preds can be open to this. We can change the culture, Nat, change what it means to be prey. Make it more than just...just being talking meat for our betters. I have to try, Nat. I have to."

Renata swallowed convulsively, and looked away. "Shit. You just can't help yourself, huh, Doc? Got to jump right to the biggest,most dangerous thing you can get your hands on."

Cindy giggled. "Yeah, Beth says I have the disadvantage of having two hearts to wear on my sleeve."

The coyote took a deep breath. "Look...Karl is looking at doing security work. Big ol' kodiak, you know? Suits him. Let...let me talk to him, ok? See if...see if he'll-"

Cindy winced. "Nat, I can't afford to pay him. And I don't want to drag your boyfriend into this. And besides, I-"

Renata looked at her sideways. "What's Beth doing these days?"

The foxtaur frowned at the sudden change. "She's...she's working with an investment firm to build up her trust. She's looking at taking business classes, maybe become a venture capitalist with a focus on prey businesspeople. Why?"

"Well," Renata said slowly. "Has it occurred to you that your rich girlfriend might be interested in hiring you a bodyguard?"

Cindy blinked. "Nat, I...I know I'm...I'm a taur, Nat. I may not be a pred anymore, but I'm one of the fastest, strongest, most durable species-"

"Who smells. Like. Prey." Renata ground out. She glared at Cindy. "Who moves, and thinks, and acts like prey. This isn't camp, Doc. People have guns. Preds will hate you. Karl's parents aren't speaking to him anymore, and they're liberal as hell. You are walking up to a hornets nest covered in molasses and beating it with a baseball bat. You are not fucking superwoman, Doc, a fact that I've been trying to beat into that thick taur skull of yours for going on three years."

She stepped up to her, leaning up to get muzzle to muzzle with her. "We're going to sit down, you, me, Beth, and Karl. We're going to talk about getting you protection. Because I believe in what you're doing, Doc, but my God, you are no good to us dead."

Cindy swallowed. "Nat-"

The coyote snarled, the first time Cindy had ever seen her lose her cool, and the foxtaur took an instinctive step back as her prey instincts suddenly registered an angry pred just inches from her. Renata's voice dropped to a low growl.

"Think of Bethany, Doc. Take a good, long second, right now, and I want you to imagine the fucking look on her face when she watches the news and hears you've been shot."

Cindy let out a pained sound and looked away. "That's fucking low, Nat."

"Is it? Tell me, how's Bethany sleeping these days, Doc?"

Cindy shuddered. "Fuck you."

Renata stepped up to her, crowding her. "Have you woken up to find her out of bed? Maybe caught her crying? Is she holding you a little tighter, fucking you a little harder? Have you looked into her goddamn eyes and seen the fear yet?"

Cindy's breath hitched and she felt tears forming. "Stop it, Nat."

"Have you? Have you fucking seen it, Doc?"

"Yes!" Cindy shouted, starting to shake,tears running down her face. "Yes, goddamnit, I fucking have! What do you fucking want me to say, Nat? What the fuck do you want to say? I know she's scared, I'm scared, is that what you fucking want to hear? I can't. Not. Do. This. I can't. I..."

She swallowed and dashed at her eyes. "I thought you'd be happy, that you'd be excited," she whispered.

Renata blew out a slow breath and stepped forward, taking her shoulders in her hands. "Doc...I want this to happen. The thought of other kids like me, like Karl, having access to this? That makes me ecstatic. But I am looking at the idiot who tried to make it through camp without eating, who pushed her principles so hard that it cost her a lung, and I'm...I'm afraid you're going to martyr yourself for the cause."

Cindy shuddered and looked away. "It's not like that," she whispered.

"Isn't it?" Renata said softly. "You've already accepted this is going to kill you, haven't you?"

The foxtaur bit her lip and didn't respond.

"That's what I thought," Renata said tiredly. "You haven't told Beth that, either, I assume?"

Cindy shook her head slightly.

"We are going to get these inside before someone sees them. We are going to call Angela in to come watch the desk. Then we are going straight to your apartment and talk to Beth and Karl. Understand?"

Cindy blew out a shaky breath and nodded. "OK," she whispered.

Renata nodded slowly. "You're not doing this alone, Doc. And you're not falling on your sword. Clear?"

Cindy swallowed. "Clear."

~~~~~

Bethany stared at her, face unreadable. "When, exactly, were you going to tell me that you'd decided that you weren't going to do this safely?"

Cindy shuddered at the flatness in her lover's voice. "I-"

"I have been...Cindy, I've been terrified of losing you since you told me you wanted to start this crusade, and you were just going to...to..." Bethany took a shaky breath. "I knew you were traditional, but God, Cindy. You were just going to push as far as you could and take the hit for your principals? I agreed to this because it's who you are, but I...Cindy, I didn't think about the rest of who you are. I never imagined that you'd...that you were planning on dying for this."

Cindy shivered and looked at her hands. "I...I assumed you'd...you knew this was going to be hard," she whispered.

Bethany let out a pained laugh. "Hard? Yeah, I knew you were going to be a target. And I sucked it up because I thought you'd do your best to come home to me. But you're telling me," she jabbed a finger at Renata, "she's telling me that you've accepted death. That you expect to die."

The foxtaur shuddered, but said nothing.

Bethany ran her hands through her hair in frustration. She pursed her lips and looked at Karl. "How much?"

The bear shifted, looking uncomfortable. "Ma'am...I can't protect a target that won't protect herself."

Bethany shuddered. She looked over at Cindy with hard eyes, and then walked over to her. She knelt down and grabbed her face, forcing her eyes up to meet hers. "Now, you listen to me. You listening?"

Cindy nodded.

"Are you? Are you really? Because I'm going to say something that I've been saying for weeks now, and it appears you haven't been."

Cindy took a shuddering breath. "I'm listening."

"Good." Bethany leaned in until their muzzles touched. Her face contorted into a fierce snarl. "You. Are. Mine. Your body, your meat, belongs to me. Do you fucking understand?"

Cindy shivered. "I-"

"No, let me spell it out for you. I love you, Cindy. I would die for you. And by God, you will live for me. You will use every scrap of that stupid taur strength and tenacity, you will use that beautiful brain of yours, you will do abso-fucking-lutely everything in your goddamn power to come home to me, because you. Are. Mine."

Bethany's voice dropped to a hiss as Cindy stared at her wide-eyed. "You thought that when I asked you to promise that no-one else would taste you, that you would be mine and mine alone, that I was just talking dirty? That I was playing dominance games to get us off? Is that what you fucking thought?"

Cindy swallowed and shook her head slightly.

"Then act like it. You are my prey, and no one else's. And I damn well expect you to respect that and fight to stay alive."

Cindy took a shuddering breath. "Y-Yes, ma'am."

Bethany searched her face for a moment and then nodded slowly. She leaned forward and pulled Cindy into a hug. "Good girl," she said softly, her voice thick. "I love you. Don't make me live without you."

Cindy sniffed softly and hugged her back tightly. "I'm sorry," she whispered.

Bethany chuckled dryly and sat back, wiping her eyes. "Don't be sorry, baby. Be safe."

She turned and looked at Karl. "How much."

Karl coughed. "Um, market rate is 50k a year."

"Fine, 70 it is. And a bonus every year on new years that you bring her back to me."

Karl blinked. "Um." He looked at Cindy cautiously. "You'll do what I say, when I say, how I say? You'll wear body armor if I give it to you, run if I tell you to, hide if I tell you to, fight if I tell you to?"

Cindy licked her muzzle, her eyes never leaving Beth. "Yes," she said softly. "Whatever it takes."

He nodded. "Then I'll take-"

Bethany turned around and looked at Karl and he recoiled slightly from the look in her eyes. "Before you agree, I want it understood. You fail to bring her home to me, and I find out it was your fault? I will drag you into a green zone and eat you alive. Am I clear."

Renata gasped. The bear stared at her, at a wolf half his size, and for the first time in his life he had an inkling of how prey must feel. "Yes, ma'am," he whispered softly.

She smiled coldly. "You still want the job?"

He took a shaky breath. "Yes. I care about Cindy too, Beth. I want her to succeed. I want any children I might have to be safe and happy, no matter who they are."

Bethany nodded and closed her eyes, taking a deep, calming breath. "Good. Bring me a contract. Cindy is making her first installation run at the end of the week, I want this squared away before then. I assume you can get an appropriate car by then."

He blew out a slow breath, relaxing a little now that she wasn't looking at him like...that. "Yes, ma'am."

"Fine. Bring the invoice by when you do." She opened her eyes and smiled a little, looking calmer. "Now, if you'll excuse us, I need to remind my preygirl about who she is."

Karl stood up with almost indecent haste, Renata glued to his side, staring at Bethany like she was a live grenade. "Um, good to be working with you, ma'am."

She grinned and shook his hand. "Welcome aboard. Don't fuck up."

He swallowed. "No, ma'am."

Bethany escorted them to the door and showed them out. She leaned on the door frame, breathing slowly.

"Beth-"

"Set it up."

Cindy shivered and stood up. She walked over and quietly unboxed and plugged in the regen unit. She glanced at Bethany, then pulled off her shirt and bra. She took a deep breath and put her finger into the sampler, felt the little sting. There was a soft ping.

Bethany whirled around with a snarl and shot across the room in one massive leap. Cindy jerked back and let out a startled scream as Bethany fell on her, sinking her fangs into her shoulder. The wolfess jerked and ripped out a bite of her, making her shriek again. Her arm hung limp and useless at her side, and Bethany swept her forelegs out from under her, tackling her to the ground. She hit with a loud gasp, and then yelled as Bethany's fangs sank into her breast. The wolfess snarled and held her down, twisting savagely. Cindy let out a sobbing gasp as Bethany ripped her entire breast off and gulped it down.

She shuddered and clawed at the carpet with her good arm, eyes screwed up as Bethany tore into her upper side, rapidly ripping out bite after bite. She fought to control her breathing as the wolfess ate her brutally, shredding huge chunks of meat off her.

"B-Beth-" she panted.

The wolfess snarled and crawled over her, tearing into her flank. She whimpered and gritted her teeth as her lover savaged her flesh. She grunted as Bethany tore into her lower guts and began tearing out mouthfuls, making her shudder and moan. Cindy started trembling as she was eaten more harshly, more thoroughly than ever before.

Bethany slowed down a little, snarling and growling as she chewed on Cindy's insides. Then she sat up, breathing hard,and crawled down between Cindy's hind legs. Cindy's eye's shot wide as her mouth hit there, but there was no foreplay this time, no easing into it. Just fangs tearing into her. She let out a ragged shriek, jerking sharply, as Bethany's muzzle ate into her, penetrating her by simple dint of devouring any flesh in her way. Her eyes crossed as the orgasm hit her out of nowhere like a punch in her lower gut. She trembled and let out little mewling sounds that mixed with the wet sounds of Bethany's meal.

She stared at nothing as Bethany pulled back, breathing hard. The wolfess crawled around and put her back to the couch, curling up with her knees to her chest, her arms resting on her knees, her head down between them. Cindy shivered softly, hurting all over, staring at her lover.

"Beth," she whispered softly.

The wolfess raised her head and there was a fading animalistic fury in her eyes. "Mine," she whispered. "Understand?"

Cindy nodded, feeling a deep jerk of rightness in her hearts. "I understand."

The wolfess took a shuddering breath and stood up. She walked into the kitchen and Cindy heard the sounds of water running. She came back a few minutes later with her face clean, and walked over to the machine. "Brace yourself."

Cindy took a deep breath and then yelped as she heard it ping again, then her wounds started to fill in, much slower than she was used to. Bethany walked over and flopped down next to her, leaning down to kiss her softly. "Sorry, baby, I-"

"Don't, ah! Apologize," Cindy gasped out through gritted teeth. "Fuck, ah, n-needed that."

Bethany stroked her face gently, breathing slowly. "Me too. We should have gone to the center and used theirs while we waited for our new one to show up."

Cindy nodded painfully. "Y-Yeah."

The wolfess watched the shimmers do their work in silence for a moment. "Cindy, I...I know you don't want me to apologize, but...I'm sorry if I scared you."

The foxtaur laughed breathlessly. "A-Are y-you kidding? That w-was f-fucking h-hot. I c-came so f-fucking hard."

Bethany let out a soft chuckle. "God, I love you."

Cindy reached up and took her hand gently. "I love you too, sweetie. I...I'm sorry I didn't think."

Bethany leaned down and kissed her cheek. "It's ok, baby. Just...promise you'll come back to me always."

Cindy blew out a breath as the regen finished. She squirmed sideways until her head was in Bethany's lap. "I promise, sweetie. I'm yours, and I understand what that means now."

Bethany stroked her head, letting out a soft sigh of relief. "Good," she whispered.

Cindy smiled up at her contentedly and snuggled into her, privately resolving that no matter what she had to do, she would never let her beloved predator down again.