FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

All characters are © their respective owners. This story is commissioned, and should not be distributed without express consent from the owner, or author.

* * * * * * * * * *

"Oh, come on, it's my day off," Frosty groaned.

The cheetah reluctantly pushed himself out of bed, tossing off the covers and dropping his book on the nightstand. Four slender limbs stretched outward, his quadruped lower body arching. He yawned, his upper torso stretching back as well before he casually strolled to the kitchen. It was his day off, so he wasn't in any hurry to answer his work phone. It rang insistently as he plucked it from the counter. He flipped it open and lifted it to his ear.

"If it involves spiders, forget it," he spoke bluntly once the call connected.

There was a long pause before he heard the female dispatcher's familiar voice. "You're in luck, then!"

Frosty wasn't sure whether to be relieved, or incredibly paranoid. "It's my day off."

"I'm aware," the voice replied. "Normally I wouldn't bother someone on their day off, but our guys are running behind. I was wondering if you could pick up one of their appointments."

The cheetah sighed, rubbing his fingers over his forehead. "Sure. I didn't really have anything important planned today."

"Don't sound so bitter. You are getting overtime, hun."

I'd better be. I've worked 60 hours this week. "Where's the job?"

"Dave's place," she replied. "It's just a maintenance call, prevention spraying and whatnot."

Frosty's ears perked. "Dave, the owner?"

"That'd be the one. The appointment is in an hour, so you've got plenty of time to get ready."

Frosty sighed heavily again, nodding. "Sure thing. Let him know I'll be on my way."

The dispatcher thanked him before hanging up, leaving the cheetah to rub his forehead in silence. It had been a long, frustrating week. He'd had several long days extended due to others falling behind, and now a job on his day off? He'd need a drink, once this was over.

The tauric cheetah slipped his work phone into his pocket, returning to his bedroom to change into his work clothes. He muttered to himself as he slipped into his uniform, buttoning up his polo shirt and pulling a company cap over his ears.

"There'd better not be spiders," he muttered as he left the house...

* * * * * * * * * *

Frosty waited patiently after ringing the doorbell, a metallic canister and spraying hose resting on the porch beside him. He heard footsteps approaching before the doorknob clicked, the white door swinging open. The tauric white cheetah was greeted by a sultry snow leopard, wearing a white tank top and a pair of tight black capris. He had to remind himself not to stare, knowing that employees had been fired for gawking at the owner's wife. Dressed like that, though, he suspected that sometimes she did it deliberately.

"Oh, hey, Frosty!" she chimed. "I thought someone else was showing up for this job."

Frosty huffed at the observation. "I got called in for backup."

The snow leopard nodded understandingly, stepping to the side and gesturing to Frosty to enter. The cheetah bent down to pick up his gear, a belt of tools clattering around his waist. A modified saddlebag was strapped over his tauric body, allowing him additional storage space. He stepped inside, the door closing behind him.

"So, just the usual checkup and whatnot?" he asked, pumping the spray canister.

The snow leopard nodded, arms folded over her stomach. "Yup! Let me know if you find anything. I'll be in the kitchen."

Frosty nodded to her as she disappeared to the kitchen, getting to his work. He shouldered the strap attached to his canister, opening the door to the basement and descending the wooden staircase. He whistled to himself, poking through corners of the basement while giving an occasional spritz of insecticide. A startled shriek from the kitchen caused Frosty to nearly drop his sprayer. His ears perked as he stood upright, gazing at the staircase.

"Everything okay up there?" he called out.

A panicked snow leopard appeared at the top of the stairs. "Need help, in the kitchen. Now."

"What's the problem?" Frosty asked, wondering what had the feline so frazzled.

"Just...get up here," she whined, her bushy tail lashing back and forth.

Frosty shrugged, heading toward the stairs. A twinge of paranoia crept up in the back of his mind, hoping that it was just a minor problem, like ants or cockroaches. He padded quickly up the stairs, lowering his spraying unit and resting it on the floor. The snow leopard was standing just outside of the kitchen, holding a large Tupperware container with a lid between her paws.

"What's the container for?" Frosty inquired.

"Spider in the kitchen," she said quietly. "Get rid of it."

Frosty's eye twitched. He didn't want to admit his fear of spiders to the owner's wife. More importantly, though, he didn't want to humiliate himself in front of someone. He swallowed his pride and approached her, taking the plastic container. She watched with interest as he approached the doorway to the kitchen, glancing about nervously. He didn't see anything at first, wondering if she was just trying to get him wound up.

The cheetah's eyes scanned the kitchen, inspecting the countertops, fridge, and walls. He didn't see any sign of a spider. He peeked over his shoulder, glancing back at the snow leopard standing behind him.

"Where did you see the spider?" he asked curiously.

She didn't say anything to him, but pointed up with a finger. Frosty slowly turned away from her, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath. He hesitantly opened his eyes and tilted his head up, expecting the worst. As he did, he felt something land on his shoulder. The cheetah's immediate reaction was involuntary.

Frosty shrieked and reached up, his paw swatting the offending thing off his shoulder. The Tupperware container clattered to the floor noisily in the process. He leapt to the side; his arms flailed as he rapidly brushed his fur off with a paw. His heart pounded from the startle, breathing quickly as his eyes darted to locate where the offending creature had landed. He fully expected to see an enormous spider skittering across the floor toward him.

The cheetah's eyes fell upon a small, dark object lying in the middle of the kitchen floor. It didn't seem to be moving, but looked distinctly like a spider. He approached it hesitantly, but paused when he heard a snort behind himself, followed by an outburst of laughter. The cheetah's ears flattened in embarrassment as he peeked over his shoulder, where the boss's wife was doubled over in a fit of giggling.

The tauric cheetah's muzzle flushed as he returned his attention to the "spider." He knelt down next to it, but slapped a paw against his face when he noticed the unusual sheen over the dark object.

It was plastic. He had been the target of a very cruel prank.

The snow leopard approached, leaning up against the doorframe leading into the kitchen. She reached up to wipe her eyes with a finger, her giggling gradually fading.

"Frosty, I'm sorry. Dave told me about how afraid of spiders you are, and I couldn't resist."

The cheetah sighed heavily, thumping the plastic container on the countertop and kicking the plastic spider under the fridge. He turned and stepped around the snow leopard, his eyes catching movement before he excused himself from the kitchen. He paused a moment, spotting a large brown house spider slowly skittering across the countertop. He smirked to himself as he retrieved his spraying unit, glancing back at the snow leopard.

"I'll be finishing up in the basement, if you need anything," he said flatly.

"Sure thing, hun," she replied with a soft giggle, retreating into the kitchen.

Frosty returned to the basement, grumbling to himself as he worked to complete his task. His tail lashed in mild annoyance, grateful that he didn't see any other creepy crawlers in the basement. As he was finishing, another piercing shriek rang out from the kitchen, followed by several loud thuds of something large hitting the kitchen wall.

Frosty grinned, whistling to himself with satisfaction as he finished spraying...

* * * * * * * * * *

A heavy sigh escaped Frosty's lips as he closed the front door behind himself, slipping out of his work boots. He pulled his hat off and dropped it on the kitchen counter, followed by his keys, then paused halfway down the hallway to his bedroom. He stripped himself out of his work clothes and dropped them in the washer, leaving himself naked as he started the cycle.

The cheetah sighed again as he padded into his bedroom and flopped down. The mattress sagged beneath his tauric body, his limbs sprawling out. Yet again, he'd been embarrassed in front of someone by his gross arachnophobia; his boss's wife, of all things. He glanced over at the book he'd previously left on the nightstand, but his eyes drifted over to the set of keys that belonged to his personal vehicle.

Perhaps a night on the town would help him unwind. After a long week at work, and feeling humiliated in front of his boss's wife, he felt that he'd earned it. It was a bit early for that, though, so he had plenty of time to get freshened up. He pushed himself back out of bed, slipping to the bathroom for a much-needed shower, as he smelled much like the chemicals he often sprayed.

Frosty left the house some time later, the sun hanging low in the sky. He glanced down as his cell phone rang, reaching down to pluck it from the center console. He recognized the number immediately.

"What's up, Dave?" he asked casually as he answered the phone.

"First of all, you're not answering your work phone. What's up with that?"

Frosty chuckled. "Don't have it on me. I'm headed to the bar."

"Well, in that case, give me a call if you see any lookers."

Frosty snorted in amusement. "I didn't know you were into that, Dave. I'm sure your wife would have a few things to say about that."

There was a laugh from the other end. "Oh, you mean that bar. Sorry, Frosty, I'm a one-way-only guy. Maybe if you got me drunk enough, though..."

Frosty was glad that he could joke around with his boss like this. "Anyway, what can I do for you, Dave?"

"Well, I've been going over the schedules, and I noticed that you've been putting in a lot of hours the past few weeks."

"Not by choice," Frosty muttered, maneuvering his vehicle into an open parking stall.

"Well, I'm going to be training a new guy next week, so I'll be picking up service calls to show him the ropes. If you're interested, there will be some time off available."

Frosty glanced at the entrance to the bar, watching as a handsome wolf disappeared through the front door. "I'll have to check my finances, and see if I can afford to take it."

"No rush, Frosty. You've got first priority on the offer, so just let me know."

"Thanks, Dave. Anything else?"

"Two things. First, don't listen to my wife when you're doing service calls. She can be a real jerk, when it comes to pranks."

There was a muffled "Hey!" in the background of the call that made Frosty chuckle. "And the other thing?"

"Don't forget to use a condom."

Frosty blushed, hanging up the phone after he said goodbye. He shook his head and tucked his phone into his shirt pocket, sauntering up to the entrance of the bar. A bouncer regarded him with a nod, permitting him to enter. Frosty had been there frequently enough that all the bouncers recognized him. The dull thump of dance music grew louder as he opened the door and stepped in, his tail flicking. The smell of sweat and musk was faint in the air, but distinct.

The white cheetah paused a moment at the announcement board, curious to see if any special events were happening tonight, beyond the usual in-house DJ. His eyes scanned over the board, but there didn't seem to be any events of interest tonight. Something else did catch his attention, though. A flyer was posted for help wanted. Curious, Frosty stepped closer, his eyes canning the paper over.

"Help wanted! A local fishing company is looking for a skilled worker for a special job. Experience as an exterminator is a plus! Generous pay upon job completion. Contact Buckley at..."

Frosty canted his head to the side. Finances weren't especially tight for him, but it would be nice to make some extra money. He pulled out his cell phone, punching in the number as he stepped toward the entrance, listening as the call rang through. There was a click, followed by an answering machine. It was a private number, rather than a business. He sighed, waiting patiently for the message to play through. Frosty left a voicemail indicating his interest, then tucked the phone into his pocket and made his way into the bar. He stopped at the edge of the dance floor when his phone rang, buzzing noisily in his pocket.

He was curious when he noticed that the number belonged to the person he'd just called. He made his way to the nearest bathroom and ducked inside, seeking shelter from the loud dance music. He answered the phone, his tail flicking anxiously.

"Are you alone?" a deep voice asked.

"I am, why?" Frosty asked, a bit perplexed by the question.

"Good. Meet me at the Green Street Diner in 30 minutes. We can discuss the job when you get there."

Frosty opened his mouth to speak, but a click, followed by several short beeps let him know that the other had hung up already. He looked at his phone with confusion, redialing the number. He waited patiently as it rang, and once again connected to voicemail. He grumbled to himself, hanging up the phone and tucking it into his pocket.

Stepping back into the bar, Frosty glanced out at the dance floor. There were several already on the floor, despite how early in the evening it was. He glanced down at his watch, then back at the announcement board near the entrance. He had a moment of indecision, then shrugged. The hell with it. He might as well find out what the job entailed. He could return to the bar later...

* * * * * * * * * *

"Bar or table?" a waitress in a knee-length skirt asked.

Frosty shook his head gently. "I'm actually supposed to be meeting someone."

"Oh! Yes, he mentioned he'd be expecting someone. Follow me!"

Frosty followed the raccoon girl, weaving through the tables of the diner until they reached a booth at the far corner, well away from any of the other patrons. A large, quite ominous-looking German Shepherd was seated at the table, enjoying a cup of coffee and browsing through a newspaper. The large male glanced up from his newspaper and regarded Frosty with a nod, his eyes quickly glancing over the cheetah's tauric frame. He waited for the cheetah to slide into the bench, sitting somewhat awkwardly in the booth to accommodate his lower body.

"Can I get you anything?" the waitress asked.

"Just coffee, thanks," Frosty replied.

The waitress disappeared for a moment, returning with a fresh mug and a pot of coffee. She set it between the two, smiling brightly. "Give me a wave if you need anything, hun."

The canine waited until she had departed, then turned to the cheetah. "So, Frosty, I take it?"

The cheetah nodded, sprinkling sugar into his coffee. "I am. And you're Buckley?"

The dog chuckled. "As far as you're concerned, yes. Are you seriously inquiring about this job?"

Frosty took a sip of his coffee, then smiled. "I am, yes. I'd like to know more about it."

"First, I want to make one thing clear. This is a private job. You will in no way be affiliated with my company. More importantly, though, it must be kept quiet. The less outside involvement there is, the better. Understood?"

The cheetah was rather surprised by this request, but he nodded. "Understood."

"Good. I'll provide you with a little background info before we really get into the details. I work for an established fishing company. The lake in town is our life blood. Without it, we have no business. Things have run smoothly enough in the past, but lately we've been having some trouble, and it's starting to impact our business."

"What sort of trouble?"

The burly canine grinned, taking a long drink of his coffee. "Well, see, that's where the job comes in. There's a natural population of wild animals around the lake that hunt the fish we catch, but they don't bother us much. Lately, though, we've noticed a small population of intelligent otters that have been impacting our work. Our catches have been coming up lighter ever since they showed up. They've been stealing from our nets, and thinning the native fish population."

Frosty tipped his head to one side. "And you're looking for someone to resolve this issue."

"You're a fast learner," the canine chuckled. "We've petitioned the city several times to have them relocated, but it's been turned down every time. Apparently there are ethical issues about relocating, or some bullshit. So we've decided to handle matters ourselves."

"And how would you like this problem to be resolved?" Frosty asked, glancing over as the waitress stepped past.

The canine's eyes followed the girl, waiting until she was out of earshot. "That's entirely up to you, if you take the job. Convince them to move, trap them, poison them, eat them; I don't really care. As long as they don't hurt business, that's all that matters to me."

That would explain why they were looking for an exterminator.

The prospect of wiping out an entire population of intelligent otters didn't sit well with Frosty, despite his occasional taboo dietary habits. Nevertheless, he was curious to know how much the bounty was. "What sort of compensation could I expect?"

The canine hummed to himself as he reached over, plucking a napkin from the dispenser. He whisked a pen out of his pocket, curling the napkin toward himself as he scribbled on the surface. He folded the napkin over, then slid it toward the cheetah. Frosty pinned it beneath his paw and pulled it closer, then opened it hesitantly. His eyes went wide when he saw the number scrawled on the white paper.

"It would seem that I've caught your interest," the shepherd chuckled, noting Frosty's reaction.

"That's a lot of zeros," Frosty muttered, reminding himself to keep his voice down to avoid drawing interest.

"It would be paid in a lump sum upon completion, all cash," the dog continued.

Frosty nodded, his eyes gazing intently at the napkin laid out on the table. He drummed his fingers on the tabletop, taking a long swallow of coffee. The amount that was being offered did sway him a bit, though there was still the nagging issue of ethics on his mind. The canine had said, though, that he just didn't want the otters to harm business. Perhaps he could simply thin out the population a little, instead of outright annihilating them. Still, committing such an act wasn't worth the money he was being offered. Perhaps...

"I'll do it for twice that, with ten-thousand of it upfront."

The canine paused mid-swallow. He quirked an eyebrow at Frosty, lowering his mug slowly and staring at the white cheetah. He gulped down his coffee, then leaned forward against the table with a stern expression.

"I'll give you the money upfront that you ask, but I'm not here to negotiate the bounty."

Frosty pondered silently for several seconds. He eventually growled, staring intently at the dog. "Ten thousand upfront, but I want another fifty percent on the bounty," he indicated, tapping the napkin. "I doubt you're going to find anyone to do this job for that price."

The canine smirked. "You drive a hard bargain, but you're hired. You'll be provided with more information, as well the money you require, by tomorrow evening. Once you've received the information, it will be entirely up to you how to proceed. I don't care how the job is done, as long as it gets gone."

"How long will I have to do this?"

The canine chuckled. "As long as it takes. I suggest you hurry things along, though. We might be inclined to hire someone else to do the job, if you take your time. And I can't promise that removing you won't be included in the job, if that's the case."

Frosty gulped softly at this revelation. "Do you require anything from me to indicate that I've taken this job?"

The German Shepherd shook his head. "No paperwork. I want as little evidence of this job as possible. Call me once you leave this place, and leave a voicemail with the address you desire to have the down payment sent to. Nothing more, nothing less."

Frosty opened his mouth to speak again, but was shushed by the canine. The large male slid his coffee mug away from himself, reached into his pocket to produce his wallet, and left a large bill on the table. He slid out of the booth and nodded to Frosty.

"You have my number if you require anything, or have second thoughts about the job. Once the job is completed, though, call me to arrange a place to meet and work out payment."

Frosty nodded in understanding as the large canine turned away, watching him make his way to the door. The cheetah glanced down at the napkin laid down in front of him, then at the money the dog had left for the waitress. He plucked the napkin from the table and stuffed it into his pocket, then reached for his cell phone. He scrolled quickly through the numbers in his phonebook, then dialed.

"I was kidding when I told you to call me if there were any lookers."

Frosty chuckled, shaking his head. "Don't worry, Dave. I'm actually calling to discuss that time off you were offering..."

* * * * * * * * * *

Frosty's ear perked as he heard a heavy knock on his front door. He groggily opened his eyes, yawning widely. He didn't fully process the significance of the knock at first. He tried to sit up, but found that his left arm was numb. More notably, though, a slender, attractive snow leopard was cuddled up to him, his arm somewhat pinned beneath the sleek feline. Frosty carefully eased the cat up, who whimpered softly in protest to being moved. He pulled his arm free, then let the feline down on the pillow once more.

Another loud knock reminded Frosty that someone was at the front door. He idly wondered who could be looking for him as he slid out of bed, pulling on a pair of pants to make himself decent. He padded slowly down the hallway at first, but the previous night's meeting prompted him to hurry. He could hear a muffled shuffling as he approached the door, unlocking the bolt and pulling it open.

Frosty was greeted by a rather startled cream rabbit, wearing a familiar brown uniform. The rabbit was still holding his paw up, with a golden sticky note indicating a delivery attempt in his fingers. He had a small box clutched under one arm with a portable device resting on his hip. He lowered his paw after a moment, nodding to Frosty with a warm smile.

"I assume you're Frosty?" the rabbit asked, adjusting the package.

Frosty nodded, his tail flicking as he yawned. "Yeah, that's me."

"Excellent. I just need you to sign for this," the rabbit indicated, plucking the device from his hip and offering Frosty a stylus.

Frosty scrawled his signature on the screen, then returned the stylus to the rabbit. The male smiled, handing Frosty the package and tipping his hat. He scurried off the porch after holstering his reader, then leapt up into his truck with an exaggerated motion. The white cheetah chuckled to himself, ducking back inside and letting the door shut on its own.

The cheetah slid over to the kitchen counter, glancing over the plain-looking box. His name was clearly printed on a mailing label, but no return address had been provided. Curious, he picked at the tape until he managed to pry it up, then ripped it away from the box in a quick motion. Inside of the box was a small bank bag, with a manila envelope tucked in beside it. He reached in and plucked the envelope from the box, peeling it open and peeking inside.

Reaching a paw in, Frosty carefully withdrew several sheets of paper. A silver key was taped near the bottom of the first page. His eyes scanned over the typed letter, nodding gently as he read. It was the instructions that he had been promised. The letter indicated that down payment was included with the package, as well as a key to a small cabin he could use at his disposal. He flipped through the pages that were included, humming softly; a set of map directions to the cabin, a satellite view of the cabin and surrounding area with points of interest marked as GPS coordinates, as well as a photo of the otters' location.

Frosty scanned over the photo briefly. The otters appeared to be somewhat tribal, living in small huts. He could see a few figures in the picture, but they were too blurry to make out any distinct features. The village was located close to the water's edge, which meant it would be easy to find.

The cheetah's ears perked when he heard rustling in his bedroom, followed by soft footsteps. He glanced to his side, smiling as he watched a naked snow leopard tiredly wandering toward him from the bedroom. Frosty cautiously slipped the papers back into the envelope, then tucked the packet into the box.

"Morning, hun," Frosty smiled, reaching over to pull the cat in when he was close enough.

The feline yawned softly, nestling in against Frosty and resting his head against the cheetah's bare chest. "What's in the box?"

"Oh, just some...work things," Frosty replied. "Nothing important."

The cheetah tucked the flaps of the box down, ensuring that the feline wouldn't be able to peek in. The smaller cat purred quietly as he cuddled up, nuzzling the white fur between Frosty's pecs. The cheetah's paw slid down, giving the snow leopard's butt a playful squeeze.

"Did you sleep okay, hun?" he asked.

The feline nodded, reaching up to rub a paw softly over the cheetah's midsection. "Better than I have in a while. You haven't lost your touch."

Frosty grinned smugly, leaning down to kiss him between the ears. "Well, I'm glad to hear it. Why don't you go get the shower warmed up for us? I'll join you in a minute."

The leopard blushed softly, but leaned up and kissed Frosty's jaw. "Sure thing, hun."

Frosty opened the box flaps as the snow leopard disappeared to the bathroom, the sound of running water drifting from the open bathroom door moments later. He reached into the box and tipped up the bank bag, tugging the zipper open. He was disappointed to find a single bundle of bills, but the gold band wrapped around the middle was clearly printed with the value. Frosty's heart skipped a beat at the sight.

"Huh. So what's what ten-thousand dollars looks like when it's bundled," he mumbled.

Frosty quickly zipped the bag shut when the leopard's head ducked out of the bathroom, inviting him to join with a sultry meow. He smiled to himself, folding the box flaps over themselves to close the box up. He left the box resting on the kitchen counter as he padded to the bathroom, shedding his pants on the way and flinging them into his bedroom.

"I hope you brought the lube," Frosty grinned, pulling the leopard into the shower with a playful growl. Before long, a chorus of grunts and soft moaning rose from the bathroom, blending with the soft hiss of running water...

* * * * * * * * * *

"Arriving at your destination."

Frosty reached over and shut off his GPS unit as he pulled up to a lone cabin at the end of a long private pathway. Large trees surrounded the cabin, almost completely obscuring it from view. A boathouse was located not far from the cabin, with a small private dock reaching over the lake. Frosty stepped out of his car and gazed around, his ears perked. He could hear birds chirping, as well as a gentle breeze rustling the branches. The usual bustle of the city was nowhere to be found.

The cheetah dragged a suitcase from his car, approaching the front door. He unlocked it and pushed the door open, stepping inside. He whistled to himself, gazing around. The cabin was a small, single bedroom home, but it was furnished for someone to live quite comfortably. The small cabin featured a gas fireplace with comfortable furniture, a liquor cabinet, a well-furnished kitchen, and a wooden ladder that rose up to the loft, where the bed was located.

Frosty carefully maneuvered his way up the ladder, tossing his suitcase onto the bed. He returned to his car to retrieve another box that contained food items, unloading them into the fridge and freezer. Once he was finished, he slipped out of his pants, but left a shirt on; time to get acquainted with nature.

He stepped out onto the front porch, venturing down a wooden pathway that trailed to the boathouse. The sun was setting on the horizon, casting a golden hue over the surface of the water. The planks creaked beneath Frosty's feet as he padded down the dock, listening to the gentle lapping of the water against the wooden supports. He stopped at the end of the dock, gazing out over the watery expanse of the lake. A gentle breeze tugged at his shirt as he watched the glowing orb of the sun dipping below the horizon. His ears perked this way and that as he listened intently to the sounds of the forest around him. Nocturnal animals were beginning to stir, adding a chorus of unique chirps to the ever-present sound of birds.

The golden glow over the lake turned to a blazing red as the sun disappeared. Frosty remained where he was as the end of the dock, settling down to let his lower body stretch out. His forepaws hung over the edge of the wood plank, his body rolling slightly to the side. He almost forgot about the job he'd been hired to do, lost in the scenery. He closed his eyes, reveling in his serene surroundings as he sighed blissfully.

Frosty's ears perked when he heard a rustle in the bushes nearby. He peeked over his shoulder, expecting to see a small animal scurrying through the underbrush. At first he didn't spot anything due to the dimming light. Hearing another rustle, he decided to investigate. He pushed himself to his feet and turned, padding toward the source of the disturbance. As he moved closer to the bushes, there was a series of rapid chirps, followed by a flurry of motion.

The cheetah hunched down, expecting to be attacked. A figure rushed out of the bushes, but not in the direction Frosty was standing. It wasn't a wild animal, as he'd expected. It was distinctly bipedal. In the dimming light, it was difficult for Frosty to see much, but he did manage to catch a clear glimpse at the creature. The figure was relatively short, and somewhat slender. Most notably, though, was a thick tail, waving back and forth quickly as the figure hurried away. Frosty stood upright when he realized what it was.

"Otter!"

When Frosty called out, a chorus of startled chirps rang out around him. Several more otters rushed out from various hiding places in the bushes and trees, dashing madly away. Frosty leapt forward, pursuing one of the otters as they bolted. The small creature had a head start on Frosty, but also had a clear advantage in the brush. The otter was able to dodge and weave through the bushes and trees, clearly familiar with the area. Frosty was nearly tripped up several times, his feet catching various roots and thick bushes as he tried to keep up. While he was capable of considerable speed, it was only possible to maintain in short bursts, and certainly not in dense vegetation.

The otter peeked briefly over his shoulder to ensure that the white feline wasn't catching up to him, hurdling over a thick cluster of bushes. He wasn't sure what the large cat would do if he was caught, but the otter didn't want to find out. He focused on the terrain ahead, spotting a familiar clearing in the distance.

Frosty narrowed his eyes, pushing himself harder to keep up with the otter, despite the hazards of the terrain. This proved to be a poor choice on his part, his front limb snagging a thick root. Frosty yowled as he lurched forward, diving into the mossy earth. His body struck the ground with a dull thud, knocking the breath out of his lungs. The sound of fleeing footsteps faded quickly in the distance, leaving Frosty alone once again.

The ground seemed to spin for several seconds as Frosty returned to his senses. He pushed himself up, his fur stained with a dark skid mark from the fall. His forelimb was throbbing with pain from the snag that had sent him tumbling to the ground. It didn't seem to be broken, but it was definitely injured. He tried to brush the dirt out of his fur, but it seemed to be stubbornly worked in. He was fortunate to still be close to the shore. He walked slowly, a noticeable limp hindering him as his limb continued to trouble him.

Frosty knelt at the edge of the lake, dropping his injured paw into the cool water to numb the pain. He bent down to splash water over his body, rinsing the dark stains out of his fur. He sighed deeply, lifting his forepaw out of the water briefly to inspect it. The join was swelling noticeably. He reached down to gently feel over the area, grunting softly at the tenderness immediately surrounding his ankle.

Lifting his head and glancing around, the cheetah grumbled. There was no sign of the otters that he'd been chasing, and he had no idea how far he was from the cabin. To make matters worse, it was quickly growing dark outside. He sighed as he pushed himself to his feet, clenching his jaw tightly to muffle a painful groan. He carefully rested weight on the swollen joint as he turned, but stopped abruptly when he found himself staring at a short, dark-furred otter.

The lutrine stood at the edge of the trees, his thick tail flicking slowly from side to side. The otter had distinct tribal rings painted over his legs and tail, as well as swirling patterns decorating his stomach and chest. A loincloth hung loosely around the male's waist, providing a degree of modesty. Dark eyes scanned over the white cheetah, regarding the male with interest.

Frosty held his ground as the otter stepped toward him, unsure of what to do. He could attempt to run, but given the condition of his leg, he likely wouldn't get anywhere quickly. He took half a step back, but realized that he didn't have any room for that when one of his hind legs splashed into the cool water. The otter continued to approach until he was close enough to touch Frosty, then knelt down in front of the cheetah. As he did, Frosty realized just how short he was. Frosty was at least a foot taller than the otter, if not more. The male reached down and touched the cheetah's swollen limb, letting it tug back when Frosty flinched.

"You're injured," the lutrine said gently.

"I'll be fine," Frosty replied.

The otter shook his head, standing up. "Wait here."

Frosty watched the male turn and quickly dash into the bushes, disappearing from sight. The cheetah's ears perked, listening to the rustling of leaves and branches as the male pushed through the underbrush. There was a distinct snap, leaving Frosty to wonder what the otter was up to. The male returned with a large branch in hand, stripping away twigs until it was a single limb. He split the branch down the middle, kneeling before the cheetah once more. The otter reached into a leather pouch at his waist, fishing out several lengths of fabric strips.

"Extend your foot, and hold still," he instructed.

The otter's tail flicked slowly back and forth as he pressed the branch against the side of Frosty's leg, fastening it to the bottom of his limb with a strip of cloth. He repeated the process higher up, then broke off the excess. Frosty watched with interest as the male worked, taking note of a glimmering bracelet that hung around the otter's wrist. It was made of dark stone of some sort, polished to a glossy sheen. It had unusual inscriptions along the middle, which seemed to pulse lightly from time to time with a faint blue glow. It was barely detectable, though, leaving him to wonder if it was just his mind playing tricks.

The otter tightened the strips of cloth around Frosty's splint, then nodded to himself. Satisfied, the otter stood up and beckoned to the cheetah.

"Follow me."

Frosty placed his paw on the ground, testing the strength of the makeshift splint. It was still difficult for him to rest all of his weight on it, but it took a noticeable edge off the pain. The otter took a few steps, then turned and beckoned to Frosty again.

"Come! The others wish to meet you. We can tend to your injury at the village."

"Others?" he idly wondered aloud. How many otters knew about his presence already?

Frosty was somewhat startled by the generosity, but he supposed it was better than stumbling back to his cabin in the dark, without so much as a flashlight to help him find his way. He stepped forward gingerly, testing his ability to use his limb. The splint made walking somewhat awkward for him, nearly tripping in the process. The otter paused, noting the cheetah's difficulty. He sighed, then returned to Frosty's side and tucked himself beneath the feline's arm. The male had a difficult time supporting the cheetah, given his short stature, but he managed to keep Frosty upright as they began walking.

"This way," the otter said, while pointing.

Frosty lifted his head to gaze in the direction the male was gesturing. He could see a glimmer of orange light through the trees, gradually intensifying. It was a campfire. He glanced down at the otter as they moved together, his eyes falling upon that bracelet again. The soft, glowing pulse seemed to be growing more frequent, confirming that it wasn't just his imagination.

Hearing a loud chirp, Frosty lifted his head. He could see an otter standing at the edge of a clearing, silhouetted by a crackling campfire. He almost jumped when the otter he was leaning against chirped in reply, calling out to the lone figure. The pair approached the edge of the clearing, giving Frosty a better look at their destination. A knot formed in his stomach when he realized where he was. This was the village the canine had told him about. These were the otters he'd been hired to "exterminate..."

* * * * * * * * * *

"Wait here," the otter instructed. "I'll find someone that can tend to your injury."

Frosty nodded as the male ducked out from beneath his arm. The otter disappeared quickly into one of the nearby wooden huts, leaving Frosty alone beside the fire. He wasn't alone for long, though. A handful of otters peered out from their homes, eyeing the cheetah curiously. Their eyes glistened in the firelight as they watched the unusual white feline, rather perplexed about the visitor. They'd seen cats before, but never before had they run into a cat with such an unusual body type, much less one that had such strikingly white fur. Was he a deity?

The feline's ears perked when two otters returned to him several minutes later. One of them was the otter that had assisted him. The other was a petite female with golden brown fur, carrying a ceramic bowl with pleasant-smelling herbs. She bowed politely before kneeling down in front of Frosty, lifting his splinted forepaw without a word. She had markings painted on her body similar to the otter that had helped Frosty. One that stood out distinctly, though, was a crescent painted on her forehead.

"Luna will take good care of you," the male smiled, excusing himself to one of the nearby tents.

Frosty watched the otter disappear, his eyes returning to the light brown otter kneeling before him. She carefully removed the splint from Frosty's forepaw, resting it in her lap. She dipped her fingers into the aromatic concoction, smearing a healthy amount over the injured area. Frosty bit his lip to muffle a gasp when she began to knead the wet green paste into his fur. A pleasant, cooling sensation spread over his skin when the herbed mixture was worked in, numbing the injury.

The feline's blue eyes were so focused on the diligent work that he didn't notice another otter sneaking around the campfire. He kept his limb steady as she turned it, her fingers dancing over his wrist, seeming to massage the pain from his swollen ankle. The cheetah chirped in surprise when a curious paw reached out and touched his lower body, his head snapping to the right. His gaze fell upon a dark otter, the male's pelt nearly pitch-black, save the tribal patterns that seemed to adorn every otter Frosty had seen thus far. The otter pushed his paw against Frosty's slender waist, as if testing to see whether it was real or not.

The dark lutrine pushed his paw against Frosty's waist again, then gently rubbed downward past the cheetah's flanks. He could feel the toned muscles flexing under his fingers, as if the feline was ready to spring up at any moment. As the otter's paws made another pass over his tauric body, another paw joined. A second brown otter was now standing on the opposite side, showing a similar degree of fascination. With the quiet female still working gently over his swollen limb, Frosty had three sets of paws gently caressing him, making him feel quite spoiled. He was the center of attention, but he had no idea why.

The cheetah's white tail slowly flicked back and forth, a soft purr starting in his chest. The two otters were beginning to grow a bit more adventurous with their paws, kneading their fingers down over the cheetah's hindquarters and limbs. Frosty peered back to watch them for a moment, but his attention was returned to the female when she began to gently wrap his injury in fabric. She carefully wound it around the joint, securing it in place once she was finished.

"Leave it on for two days," she said quietly to him.

Frosty nodded to her, glancing down at the snugly-wrapped limb. "Thank you."

She smiled brightly and gathered her bowl, looking as if she'd just won an award. Frosty watched her scurry back to her hut, but glanced back immediately when he felt paws nudging his belly. He quirked an eye at the two otters on either side of his tauric body, but he decided to humor them. He carefully twisted his body to the side, rolling onto his back with his limbs splayed. The otters resumed kneading once he was comfortable, rubbing their fingers through the soft fluff that lined the cheetah's underbelly.

Frosty stretched out a bit, closing his eyes to enjoy the attention the otters were giving him. He still wasn't sure why they were so curious, but he didn't seem to mind. He settled back in the sort earth, feeling the warmth of the glowing fire radiating against his body to drive off the chill of the evening breeze from the lake. He only had a moment to relax, though, as a wandering paw brushed over his sheath. He lifted his head to glance down at the pair, wondering what the otters were up to. Whether intentional or not, the otters didn't seem the least bit phased.

The two otters seemed to be moving in synchronous now. Their deft fingers moved back and forth over Frosty's pelt, rubbing in gentle circles. They were working suspiciously close to his lower regions, leaving Frosty to ponder if they were deliberately teasing him. A shiver ran up his back when two pairs of paws rubbed on either side of his sheath, caressing over the sensitive muscles. His hind legs drifted apart lazily, the soft rumble in his chest growing noticeably louder. The males made eye contact with each other and nodded, exchanging playful smirks.

The feline's body twitched when a lone paw wandered to his sheath and gave a soft squeeze. Hips pushed upward as a surprise chirp escaped Frosty's mouth. His eyes wandered to the groping paw, the otter seeming to be rather fixated on his genitals. The other male had moved, now kneeling directly behind the cheetah's sprawled frame. Frosty's hind legs stretched out with a soft groan when the otter fondled his balls, rolling them lightly in his fingers.

Frosty felt rather conflicted about his current situation. He was completely exposed to the world, since he'd ventured out without pants, being teased by a pair of otters that he was supposed to be eliminating. To make matters worse, he knew that others were watching, catching glimpses of glistening eyes peering curiously from the surrounding huts. His body betrayed his confliction, though, grinding softly against the otters' paws as they rubbed him.

Giving in to the pleasantness, a pink tip began to emerge from the cheetah's engorged sheath. The smell of musk as a result of Frosty's growing arousal caught the pair's attention, drawing them closer. The darker of the two otters leaned down, a pink tongue licking briefly over the feline's sheath. The lighter otter followed him, greeting the musky fur with another lick.

By now, more of the cheetah's shaft was emerging from the protective sleeve. The dark-furred otter ducked his head down once more, but this time the warm tongue swept over that emerging flesh. The motion drew a shaky moan from the white cheetah, his length quickly erecting. The dark otter eagerly licked over his shaft now, the feline's hips gently bucking upward each time the soft tongue passed over it.

The lighter of the two otters knelt down, pressing a soft nose pad against the spotted cat's sac. He nuzzled the musky white fur, his fingers kneading softly over the cheetah's hindquarters. He rubbed his nose back and forth between the feline's balls, then gave the musky fur a slow lick. He could feel the cat's body trembling, the muscles flexing each time Frosty's hips rose.

Frosty groaned as the otters began to eagerly lap and fondle his groin. A spurt of pre leaked from the tip of his shaft, rewarding the diligent efforts of the pair. The darker otter lapped his way to the tip of the cheetah's length, flicking away a slick bead that lingered, then mouthed over the feline's erection. Frosty's hips lifted immediately, pushing himself into the otter's warm muzzle. There was a soft croon from the otter, who slurped wetly around the cheetah's length.

The lighter male peered up at the slurp, grinning to himself as he watched his comrade greedily engulf the feline's member. He nosed over the cheetah's balls, then gently suckled one into his muzzle. His tongue pressed against the orb, cradling it against the slick muscle. Another wet slurp rose from the two otters, accented by a noisy crackle of the campfire. Frosty's soft, approving noises of pleasure joined the lewd slurps, the spotted cat's body fidgeting in the dirt.

A surprised mewl escaped Frosty's lips when he felt a warm tongue sneak beneath his balls, flicking teasingly over his pink entrance. The cheetah pushed his hips firmly upward again, grinding his erection into the warm flesh of the otter's muzzle. The dark lutrine squeaked in surprise at the abrupt thrust, but kept his muzzle firmly nestled over the feline's member. He eased his head up slowly with another soft slurp, an eye peeking down at his comrade, who was eagerly circling the cheetah's tense entrance with the tip of his tongue.

Frosty's teeth clenched, muffling a pleasured moan. It had been a while since he'd last relieved himself, and the attentive ministrations were much more satisfying than masturbating. He softly ground his hips back and forth, matching the steady motions of the otter's bobbing head. He was trying to control himself, but it was becoming increasingly difficult, especially when the darker otter began to suckle harder on his length.

A steady stream of pre greeted the otter's tongue as he rubbed over the cheetah's waist. His comrade poked the tip of his tongue against the center of the cheetah's pink entrance, smearing it with glistening moisture before it slipped inside. As much as Frosty wanted to hold himself back, the stimulation served to build him up far too quickly. His fingers clenched above his head as he let out a deep groan, his hips jerking erratically.

The dark otter gave a startled chirp when he felt the cheetah's shaft flare out with a firm throb. A burst of heat sprayed the inside of his muzzle, followed by another. The otter's head pulled back abruptly, but he left the tip nestled between his lips. His tongue flicked eagerly over it, tasting that salty load before he swallowed. He crooned happily around the spotted feline's throbbing length, his thick tail wagging behind himself.

The cheetah's head lifted as he felt the lighter otter's tongue slip free of his rump. He made eye contact with the male, who grinned at him knowingly. Frosty blushed, watching the otter reach up to fondle his balls. They flexed lightly in the otter's fingers with each burst of warm cream, quickly emptying their precious seed. Several quiet, blissful moments passed as the dark male gulped down the cheetah's load, the flow slowing to a dribble before it stopped entirely. The lutrine made a few slow passes over the sensitive tip, making Frosty gasp loudly and pull his hips back. The male allowed him free, licking his lips afterward.

"Th-thank you," Frosty gasped, panting lightly as he came down from his rapid peak.

The dark otter nodded with a grin, turning to face his companion. He leaned down, pressing his lips firmly against the lighter otter and sharing a small amount of the creamy load that he'd saved. The two crooned quietly, Frosty's cheeks flushing noticeably at the shameless display. After a long moment they separated once more, then rose to their feet.

Frosty's ears perked when the otters offered him a paw each. He hesitated a moment, but reached up and took their offer. The two otters grunted as they pulled the cheetah to his feet, assisted by a roll to the side. The feline nearly fell over when his injured limb buckled, but the two otters gripped his arms tightly to keep him on his feet. They waited until Frosty regained his balance, then gently tugged his arms to coax him forward.

"Where are you taking me?" Frosty asked, his eyes glancing to the otters on either side of him.

"You need a place to rest," the darker otter softly replied.

With a relenting nod, Frosty stepped forward. The two otters guided him to one of the nearby huts, untying a flap and letting it down to provide privacy. Frosty couldn't see much in the dim light that seeped in from the campfire outside. He was guided to a soft fur rug, then offered a blanket to shield him from the cold. A soft yawn escaped his muzzle as he stretched, then settled down into the inviting fur. He pulled the blanket over himself, smiling in the darkness as the otters knelt beside him.

"Thank you, for your generosity," Frosty murmured, another yawn rising from his chest.

The otters nodded, running their paws over the cheetah's blanketed torso as he closed his eyes. Frosty stirred lightly as he curled, finding a comfortable position while his mind slowed. A deep, heavy sigh rose from his chest, the feline's limbs stretching before he settled into a deep sleep...

* * * * * * * * * *

Frosty yawned heavily as he stirred from sleep, bright sunlight filtering in through the gaps in the doorway. He purred softly, his tail flicking against the soft fur rug he was lying on. A groan escaped the cheetah's lips when his eyes opened briefly, snapping tightly shut when he was greeted by a thin band of light that was shining immediately over him. He attempted to sit up as he rubbed the sleep from his eyes, but discovered that it was exceptionally difficult to move.

The feline's eyes opened once more, adjusting to the light that greeted him. He blinked at the sight which presented itself, offering an explanation for his inability to move. The two otters that had tended to him the previous evening were cuddled up against his body, in addition to several more. The cheetah was caught in the middle of an otter pile. One of the otters was lying directly on top of him, stretched out comfortably on his lower body.

"Ugh, as if things weren't complicated enough already," Frosty huffed, flopping into the rug with a thump. "How am I supposed to deal with otters that want to cuddle up to me, and randomly blow me?"

Frosty mused over the thought as he reached down, attempting to nudge the otter off himself to stand. The lightly-colored male rolled off after a moment, allowing Frosty to gingerly rise to his feet. He was careful not to step on any tails as he crept out of the pile, still limping slightly from the previous evening's injury. Shielding his eyes from the sunlight, he pushed the flap aside and stepped out of the hut.

The cheetah's eyes fell immediately on a single otter that was perched in front of the largest of the wooden huts. The male stood out from the other otters Frosty had seen thus far. The otter was dressed in a dyed gold and red loincloth, his head adorned by several brightly colored feathers. His brown fur was decorated with crimson markings, forming distinct swirling patterns and shapes. A large staff was laid out on the ground next to him, decorated with bright feathers similar to those on his head and small trinkets.

The otter was crouched on the ground, his thick tail drifting lazily from side to side. He seemed to be studying a figure that he'd traced in the dirt with a finger. Frosty stepped closer to inspect the crude outline, quirking an eyebrow when he realized what it was. The drawing depicted an animal, half bipedal and half feral. The otter traced his finger over the outline, muttering incoherently, but paused when a shadow was cast over it. He smiled, lifting his head slowly to gaze up at the feline standing nearby, the cheetah's body silhouetted against the sun.

The lutrine reached down to draw up his staff, rising to his feet. A collection of silvery hoops jingled on his wrist, glinting brightly in the sun. The otter stood upright, his eyes scanning over the front of the white feline's body. Frosty felt suddenly uncomfortable, wondering what the male was doing. The otter began to hum and chant quietly, shaking his staff in the air, making the trinkets jingle as he slowly circled the cheetah. Frosty's ears swiveled as he listened to the soft chanting, but the language was indiscernible.

Frosty made eye contact when the otter paused directly in front of him. The otter's dark eyes seemed to gaze right through his own, into his soul. The otter took a step back, rattling his staff in front of the white feline, the grinned.

"I am honored with your presence," the otter began, bowing politely. "Surely, the gods have blessed us. What brings such a powerful being to us?"

Gods? Honored with his presence? Frosty wasn't sure he liked where this was going. "I assure you, I'm not a powerful being. I'm just a normal cat."

The otter's grin grew wider at this revelation. "Just a normal cat, you say? Yet you walk on four legs, like the wild cat that stalks the night."

Frosty opened his mouth to speak, but he couldn't think of an argument to counter the otter's statement. The otter chuckled, leaning closer to inspect the cheetah's face. Frosty could see himself clearly reflected in the lutrine's dark eyes.

"Surely you have been sent here with a purpose, to strengthen our tribe and guide us. The spirits have spoken of one that would come and assist us."

Considering Frosty's intentions and reasons for being there to begin with, that couldn't be farther from the truth. Everything began to fall into place as the otter spoke, though. The surprisingly warm welcome, the otters cuddled up to him while he slept, the shaman referring to him as a powerful being; these otters revered him as some sort of higher power, sent to aid them. They weren't groveling before him, perhaps, but the curiosity and admiration they had already showed was explanation enough.

"Trust me, I'm not anything special," Frosty eventually stated. "It's probably coincidence that I showed up when I did."

The otter shook his staff in front of the cheetah's eyes with a grin. "There is no such thing as coincidence."

Frosty was growing somewhat frustrated that he wasn't able to convince the otter otherwise. It was beginning to show. "I am not who you think I am."

With that, Frosty turned and left abruptly. The otter stood upright, looking quite perplexed. He placed both paws on his staff, leaning against it as he watched the spotted male depart hastily.

"Maker help me, what have I done?" the otter murmured...

* * * * * * * * * *

Frosty sighed heavily as he plopped down on the dock, gazing over the lake as the sun climbed high into the air. The water was serenely quiet, reflecting a clear blue sky with occasional white clouds, as well as the landscape of green forest that bordered the lake. He took a deep breath, enjoying the scent of that lake that seemed to permeate everything.

The cheetah's head lowered as he ducked down, rubbing his fingers over the cloth wrap that was snugly bandaged around his ankle. The joint still seemed a bit tender to the touch, but he was able to walk on it with minimal discomfort. He lifted his head to gaze up at the lake once more, his mind buzzing with conflict.

He'd been offered quite a large sum of money as a bounty to illegally remove a small tribe of otters. While it had nagged on his brain to take the money at all, the generosity of these otters only made things more difficult. Despite the otters allegedly being a nuisance to local businesses, he couldn't get over what he was being asked to do. To make matters worse, the leader apparently viewed him as some sort of higher being, sent to carry out a task for whatever god they believed in.

"This isn't funny," he grumbled to himself. "This is just a big fucking joke, and it's not funny."

The cheetah's ears perked when he heard footsteps at the end of the dock. He peered over his shoulder, hoping it wasn't an otter. Frosty sighed audibly, his shoulders falling when his eyes fell upon a short brown otter. The lutrine's thick, rudder-like tail swayed back and forth anxiously as he made eye contact with the white cheetah. The otter had a thin band of yellow paint around each thigh, which a similar loop around the base of his tail. A curling sun-shape rested on his shoulder, with a bulls-eye on the opposite hip.

Frosty let out a soft sigh. "Have you come to pay your respects to the cheetah?"

The brown and cream otter seemed rather startled by the inquiry. "N-no. I mean, yes! The shaman requested that I bring you to him. He wishes to meet with you."

The large cheetah rolled his eyes, turning away from the otter to gaze out at the lake. "He can wait. I need some time to think over a few things."

The lutrine looked rather alarmed by the flat refusal. He hesitated as he mulled it over, but he decided it wouldn't be wise to upset the feline. "Very well. I'll inform him of your decision."

The feline's head turned back briefly as the otter excused himself, his steps slow and shoulders hunched. Frosty almost felt guilty, but at the same time he didn't want to return to the village yet. He wasn't sure if he'd be returning to it ever, for that matter. He was tempted to take the money back to the dog and tell him to hire someone else.

Frosty sighed as his belly rumbled noisily, reminding him that he hadn't eaten in quite some time. He had food to cook himself dinner, but perhaps he could catch some fish for a later meal, or... He shook his head rapidly to dismiss the thought. He couldn't possibly be considering thinning the otters down -that- way, could he? Then again, they were relatively small...

* * * * * * * * * *

Frosty rested his head on his arms, sprawled out lazily at the end of the dock as the sun dipped low in the sky. The striped tip of his tail idly flicked from side to side as he watched the water ripple at the edge of the dock, lapping gently at the beams. It had been several days since he'd first met the otters, but he still hadn't made up his mind one way or another about what he was going to do.

He'd been visited several times by various members of the village over the previous days. Each time he turned them away, with increasingly worried reactions. He couldn't figure out what was getting them so worked up, but it directly involved him turning down their requests.

Frosty's ears swiveled back when he heard a soft chirp behind him. His head rose somewhat, but it fell back onto his arms, accompanied by a heavy sigh and a muffled groan. Perhaps if he ignored them, or pretend he hadn't noticed, they would go away. His tail thumped lightly against the planks of the dock, displaying mild agitation.

"The shaman has sent us on the village's behalf," a voice said confidently.

"Us?" Frosty inquired, though mostly only to himself. Usually the otters only visited him singly.

Frosty pushed himself up when he felt the dock creaking. He stretched out with a magnificent arch, his hind-end lifting into the air with his tail straightening. The view that the otters got from this wasn't intentional on his part. He heard a nervous shuffle and glanced over his shoulder, noticing that three otters were staring directly at him. More specifically, though, they seemed to be focused on his backside.

"And what can I do for you?" Frosty finally grumbled as he turned around to face the otters, planting his hindquarters firmly onto the dock with an exaggerated motion.

The three otters seemed to be much more decorated than Frosty was used to seeing. Bands of paint and swirling patterns covered the majority of their bodies now. A loop of cloth was wrapped around each ankle, but most notable was a lightly glowing onyx band. Each otter was wearing one on their right wrist. Frosty recognized the bands from the first run-in he'd had with one of the village members. One of the otters had a thin braid of hair hanging to the side of his head, decorated with two small blue feathers. It took Frosty a moment to realize that it was the same otter that had originally visited him to request his presence.

"We wish to make an offering, if it would be acceptable," the darkest of the three lutrines replied.

The cheetah's arms folded over his chest. "What sort of offering?"

The three otters approached, the smallest of them taking the forefront. He knelt down, while the other two bowed politely. Frosty blinked rapidly at this, unsure of what he was being offered. They didn't seem to be carrying any valuables, food, or similar possessions.

"I offer myself to you, cheetah. I will loyally serve you, in whatever manner you see fit."

A bemused expression crawled over the feline's muzzle. Was this otter offering himself as a servant? As Frosty opened his mouth to reply, his belly let out a deep rumble, heard well by the three otters. The pair of otters standing back glanced at one another curiously, their thick tails flicking. The kneeling lutrine ducked his head lower, his ears pinning down. Frosty blushed as he excused himself, feeling a bit flustered at his body's impromptu reminder that it was dinnertime.

The knelt otter, however, interpreted the growl differently. "If the cat wishes it, then I would be honored to submit myself to your body."

Had Frosty been drinking anything at that moment, he likely would have spit it out in shock. Was this otter actually offering himself as a meal? His eyes trailed down to the diminutive lutrine, his mind racing. What would possess him to willingly, and knowingly offer himself to die? The cheetah remained silent as he mulled over the idea. This certainly did present an interesting opportunity. He'd been looking for a way to justify his actions, and it seemed like the otters were willingly offering him a solution. He shrugged his shoulders softly as his belly growled again; might as well go with it.

"Yes, I think I'd like that," Frosty said with a grin. "You would serve this cheetah's body well."

The small lutrine nodded, ducking his head in acknowledgement. "As you wish."

Frosty's gaze lifted when the two otters approached. They seemed quite anxious about the decision, but didn't protest; not directly, anyway. The otter with the feather decoration knelt down next to his comrade, leaning in close. He spoke softly into the other otter's ear.

"Are you sure you want to go through with this? This isn't what the Shaman intended. You know that."

The smaller otter nodded, his ears pinning back. "It's for the good of the village, Eid. It would make my father proud."

Frosty's ear perked as he listened to their exchange. Until now, Luna was the only name that he'd heard. He realized that up to this point, he'd never given the otters his own name, either. They always referred to him as "cat" or "cheetah," but never asked what his true name was. Perhaps it was considered rude for them to ask a higher being their name.

The brown and cream otter rested a paw on the smaller male's shoulder, nodding. "Very well. May the maker watch over you, friend."

The smaller male nodded, his thick tail swaying back and forth. He gulped quietly as he gazed up at the large feline, making eye contact with the white cheetah. Frosty nodded gently to him, silently coaxing the otter to continue. The small brown lutrine rose to his feet, taking a deep breath as he moved. He peered over his shoulder at the other two, then back to the white cheetah standing before him. He knelt down and gently took Frosty's paw in his hand, slipping the bracelet off his wrist.

The cheetah's eyes focused on that onyx band as it slid over his large forepaw, hanging loosely around his ankle. He was surprised to find that a good deal of warmth radiated from the band; more than he would anticipate from body heat alone. The inscriptions along the outside were glowing lightly, illuminating his paw with a soft glow. The pleasant warmth and soft luminescence led Frosty to assume that they might be imbued with some mystical power, despite his inherent disbelief of magic.

Frosty wiggled his paw gently as the otter rose to his feet, surprised to find that the bracelet conformed well to his wrist. It was still loose enough to slip free with a little effort, but wouldn't fall off easily. This struck him as odd, given how much larger his forelimb was than the small otter's wrist. It was as if the bracelet had magically refitted itself.

The otter's fingers dipped down to his loincloth, tugging gently at the knot at his hip. The fabric slipped free, leaving his body bare before the spotted cat. He folded up the loincloth and handed it to one of the otters, returning his gaze to the cheetah before him. With the bracelet and loincloth removed, the otter was fully nude. The only thing adorning his body was the decorative paint on his fur.

The cheetah stepped forward as the otter gazed up to him, looming over the smaller lutrine ominously. He hunched down to sniff at the fur on the otter's head, finding the smell of the lutrine's coat unusual, but rather inviting. It had a subtle fishiness to it that piqued Frosty's hunger, coaxing the cheetah to investigate further. His tail flicked as he gave the otter an experimental lick, starting at the male's forehead and slowly dragging his tongue through the sleek, slightly oily fur. The taste of fish was distinctive, combined with the subtle aroma of the lake.

Frosty grinned to himself as he knelt down, wrapping his arms around the otter to hug him tightly. The lutrine squeaked in surprise, his arms pinned to his waist. He wiggled in the feline's firm grasp, but he reminded himself not to struggle. He calmed after a moment, relaxing against the large feline. The pair stood back, their eyes fixed on the smaller otter. They were clearly hesitant about the whole situation, but they didn't dare object.

Seeing how compliant the otter in his arms was being, Frosty decided to exercise a bit of authority. "I do have a request to ask of you two. It's nice to get a good rubdown during such big meals. It helps things along. Think you could do that for me?"

Frosty grinned as the two otters exchanged nervous glances. He was interested to see if they'd actually do it or not. The lingering taste of the otter's pelt on his tongue prompted him to steal another lick, this time over those small, round ears. The lutrine squirmed, his ears being one of the more sensitive areas of his body. The motion made Frosty chuckle, letting his tauric body sprawl out so that his face was at the otter's level.

Frosty pushed the otter away from himself to get a good look at his body. The otter shifted nervously as the cheetah scrutinized his body, feeling somewhat embarrassed to be exposed out in the open. The sun was quickly setting as he stood there, casting long shadows. Frosty leaned forward and nuzzled over the otter's cheek, purring noisily to him as he grabbed the lutrine's wrists, pinning them against the male's waist.

A nervous gulp rose from the otter's throat as he felt the cheetah's hot breath against his cheeks, creeping forward to his muzzle. He found himself nearly touching noses with the white feline, gazing deep into the cheetah's azure blue eyes. They sparkled with mischief as the cheetah began his meal in earnest, slipping his lips over the otter's muzzle. He felt the otter pull back instinctively, but a firm tug from the cheetah's paws kept him close.

The otter's eyes closed tightly as the cheetah's heated breath washed over his face, his ears pinning back. Despite the fact that he was knowingly offering himself to this cat, he was still exceptionally nervous. His body trembled as a rough tongue poked out to lap along the underside of his chin, his tail lashing back and forth apprehensively. The cheetah crooned softly at the taste that lingered in the otter's fur, pushing his jaws forward to seek more of that pleasant flavor.

Frosty eased his jaws forward over the otter's skull, pressing the ears down with sharp feline teeth. He nibbled lightly as he went, his paws squeezing the otter's wrists to prevent the hesitant lutrine from squirming away. The male squirmed and tugged lightly, but a warning bite from the hungry predator calmed his protests immediately. The otter's thick tail flicked from side to side as Frosty lunged over him, the cat's maw forcing downward to his neck.

The small male could feel the warm flesh pulling in at him as the feline slurped lewdly, matting down the slick pelt with drool. Beads of moisture were forming around the corners of the cat's lips, dripping onto the otter's shoulders when the cheetah nibbled. He tried freeing his paws from the feline's grasp, having second thoughts about his offer. He tugged and twisted as the cheetah bore down on him again, the cat's jaws firmly lodged against his shoulders. There was a moment of hesitation as the white feline adjusted himself, as if debating whether he could get past the barrier.

Frosty's jaws clamped snugly over the base of the otter's neck as the cheetah squeezed the lutrine's wrists, reminding him that he wasn't going anywhere. He pushed down once more, his maw gaping as he worked to stretch himself over the otter's shoulders. A soft growl rose from the cheetah's throat as his head jerked to the side, stuffing in one shoulder, followed by another snap in the opposite direction to squeeze in the other.

The two otters looked on as they watched their comrade being helplessly devoured by the feline. The cheetah's cheeks puffed out around the otter's shoulders, the stretched flesh twitching as the otter wiggled. They were tempted to help their friend, but both were somewhat hesitant. If the cheetah could devour their friend this easily, what would stop him from including them as dinner? The two were convinced that they were dealing with some manner of higher being, and weren't about to interfere.

Slick jaws eased a few inches farther over the otter as Frosty pushed down again, wedging the lutrine's muzzle snugly into his throat. The first gulp was automatic as a wiggle coaxed the cheetah into swallowing. The slick flesh squeezed over the otter's face, drawing the male's head into the dark depths. Frosty hunched over to ease the otter's passage, another deep gulp tugging his head into the feline's neck. The outline of the otter's face was clearly visible, the skin stretching to conform to his head.

The firm grip on the otter's wrists loosened once Frosty's jaws began to creep down over the male's chest. The otter managed to wiggle his paws free, pushing gently against the cheetah's body as he felt himself being worked deeper. With his upper arms trapped in the feline's muzzle, though, he had little room to push at the cat's body. Soft squelches and the steady rumbling of a pleased cat was the only thing the otter could hear as his shoulders were introduced to the slickly rippling passage.

A growl and a beckoning gaze reminded the two otters of the task that the cheetah had requested of them. They made eye contact briefly with each other, looking quite concerned with the situation. How would the village shaman react to this? Surely he didn't have this in mind when he sent the otter out. Another grunt encouraged the otters to step closer, listening to the lewd slurps that rose from the feline's lips.

The small lutrine let out a muffled squeak when Frosty's paws rested on his rump and squeezed firmly. Another muffled squeak rose from the cheetah's neck as he shoved the otter firmly toward himself, shoving the otter's chest into his slimy gullet. His neck stretched obscenely around the lutrine's upper body, every wiggle and twitch making his stretched skin shift noticeably. A satisfied groan rose from the feline's throat when a pair of paws hesitantly touched his neck, feeling the small otter inside.

Eid jumped when he felt the otter wiggle, pushing back against his paws from within the feline's gullet. He jerked his fingers back for a moment, but a soft growl encouraged him to return. He gently nudged his palms against the cheetah's neck, feeling the bulges slide past his fingers when Frosty swallowed again. The otter's belly was nestled between the cat's jaws now, the helpless lutrine's legs dangling down and kicking uselessly.

The otter pressed his fingers firmly against the bulges and kneaded down, feeling the cheetah's ribs spreading to accommodate the bulk of the otter's body. The motion felt unusual, and the knowledge that his friend was being swallowed alive was curiously inviting. The whole situation was rather depraved, yet he felt himself oddly compelled. His tail wagged as he listened to the gurgling sounds of the cheetah's body working the small otter down, the male's hips sliding past Frosty's jaws accompanied by wet slurps.

The other that had accompanied Eid looked on in shock, watching his friend beginning to eagerly knead over the feline's body as the cheetah fed himself. He stepped closer, paused, then shook his head quickly, his heart racing. His head spun as he tried to take everything in, overwhelmed by what was taking place.

"No," he mumbled at first. "No, this isn't right. This isn't right." The male whimpered as the cheetah perked up, looking directly at him with another satisfied gulp that made the otter's hips disappear into his throat. "This is wrong. Everything about this is wrong!"

Eid glanced over his shoulder at the otter's outburst, distracted from his eager rubbing. He made eye contact with his friend, who shook his head and turned. The otter stepped away slowly at first, but quickly picked up his pace and began to sprint away from the dock. He disappeared quickly into the trees, leaving Eid with the ravenous cat. The otter felt concerned over how the cheetah would react, but another wave of motion snapped him back to the feline distraction.

Frosty's paws slid gently down his meal's legs, feeling the toned thighs that helped propel the lutrine through the water. Now, those limbs would only serve to please the cheetah's carnal hunger as the male disappeared into his body. The remaining otter knelt down in front of the cheetah, rubbing over where the feline's stomach would normally be, were he a bipedal creature. He could feel his friend's head descending into the accommodating flesh, pressing his fingers into the smooth pelt. The gentle push drew an approving groan from the spotted cat, a paw reaching down to lightly pet the attentive otter.

Frosty tipped his head back as the otter's legs descended into his maw, the pace of the meal picking up now that the small male was mostly locked in slick flesh. He wrapped his paws around the otter's webbed feet, threading his fingers between the digits and tugging firmly. He gave a soft squeeze to tease his trapped meal, feeling a distinct squirm that rippled up his throat. A satisfied croon was followed by a wet gulp that left only the otter's feet dangling from the cheetah's jaws.

Eid gently pushed against the cheetah's body when he felt the meal slipping deeper, eager to follow its progress. The cat grinned at this, reaching down to rest a paw on the dock and roll to the side. His lower half sprawled out on its side, exposing the soft chest and underbelly to the eager male. The otter's paws immediately rubbed between the white feline's forelegs, seeking out the small male beneath the squeezing flesh.

The cheetah's head leaned back farther, his tongue lapping along the otter's ankles. He enjoyed a few parting licks, a deep gulp drawing the male's webbed feet into his jaws. A playful slurp along the webbing of the otter's feet made the lutrine jerk and twitch, but the cheetah's gullet prevented him from doing much more. Frosty enjoyed a few more flicks of his tongue before he sent the meal on its way, sighing deeply with satisfaction once the otter's feet disappeared into his throat.

With the otter's body tucked into his lengthy passage, peristalsis took over. Frosty added soft gulps to the continuous kneading motion, the small otter beginning to slide into his expansive belly. The male struggled weakly as the waves of motion pushed him into a gooey chamber, greeting his nose with an acrid stench and intense heat. He knew what it meant. When his arms were freed, he reached out and pushed firmly, trying to slow his progress, causing the feline's swelling gut to contort and bulge unusually.

Eid noticed the distinct bulges, pushing his paws against them and meeting the trapped otter's hands. Frosty gulped deeply to shove the otter the rest of the way in with a firm squeeze, forcing the helpless lutrine to curl up inside. He growled his satisfaction to the attentive otter, grinning down at the male. His belly gurgled noisily, followed by a rumbling belch that vibrated the cheetah's frame. The fleshy walls squeezed around the otter's body conformingly, his outline becoming a bit more distinct as a result.

Frosty reached down to join Eid in his pleasant kneading, feeling the squirming mass of the otter within. The male's struggles were intensifying in response to the possessive kneading of the cheetah's belly, rubbing a caustic soup of digestive enzymes into the lutrine's pelt. The sensation was a gentle tingle at first, but the scent of the cat's belly was beginning to sting the male's nose. To make matters worse, the air was growing thick, making it difficult to breathe.

A chuckle escaped the cheetah when he observed the Eid's wagging tail. The male seemed to be enjoying himself, the otter's paws pushing and groping at his swollen gut. From the outside, the cheetah's gut was swollen to look like Frosty had simply enjoyed an especially large meal. While technically true, closer inspection would reveal the subtle outlines of his trapped victim. The mass squirmed and shifted about as he otter attempted to escape, but he was quickly wearing himself down in the sweltering confines.

Eid's paws groped over the otter's frame, listening to the gurgling and muffled whimpers from the cat's gut. While the otter's protests were quieting, the squelch of the feline's belly was growing more insistent. There was a mighty push, imprints of the otter's paws appearing briefly in Frosty's stretched gut, and then nothing. The bulges sank into a general mass in the feline's belly, the otter's body growing still.

Frosty reached down to softly pet along the kneading lutrine's back, sighing contently as he enjoyed the fullness in his stomach. He was surprised at how eager the otter had been to feel his friend being devoured. Perhaps these otters enjoyed it? The thought lingered in his mind as he caressed up and down Eid's back, letting his claws rake through the small lutrine's fur.

A smile crept over Frosty's muzzle as the otter curled up to him, resting his cheek against the cheetah's gurgling stomach. Eid listened intently as the feline's belly set to its diligent task, churning softly around the bulky meal. Frosty stretched for a moment, his muscles flexing against the otter's head. He laid down and pulled the otter close, his limbs wrapping around the small male and hugging him. A soft rumble rose from his chest as he began to purr, yawning heavily from the filling meal.

Eid idly kneaded and rubbed over the cheetah's gut, admiring the hefty bulge as he listened to the sounds of digestion. He crooned softly, draping an arm around the feline's body and giving him a partial hug. He gazed up as he heard a heavy yawn, smiling warmly to the satiated cheetah. The cheetah gave him an idle scratch behind the ears, licking his lips as a soft burp escaped.

Frosty curled up closely around the lutrine, hugging him again as he closed his eyes. It was relatively warm outside, so he didn't mind sleeping under the stars for now. His forelimbs draped over the otter's body as he yawned heavily, allowing himself to succumb to sleep. As he was slipping away, he idly dwelled on his job. Perhaps being an otter exterminator wouldn't be as difficult as he'd previously thought, assuming they were all this willing to fill the cheetah's belly...

* * * * * * * * * *

Frosty woke up the next morning feeling unusually refreshed. He stretched out with a yawn, warming sunlight beaming down on his spotted frame. Birds were chirping loudly, heralding in the morning sun. The cheetah reluctantly rose to his feet, jumping when he heard a soft thump, accompanied by a startled chirp. His eyes peered down at a perplexed otter, the small male blinking quickly and shielding his eyes from the morning light.

"Good morning," the cheetah said with a chuckle. "Didn't think you would hang around all night."

The otter's ears perked up when the cheetah spoke to him. He pushed himself up, his head bumping into an unusually soft belly. The cheetah was standing directly over Eid, who had still been sleeping against Frosty when he rose from his slumber. The otter pushed his fingers against the soft gut, kneading into the paunch that surrounded the predator's midsection. He was surprised to find that the cheetah's body was quite efficient, having already dispatched and broken down the heavy meal.

The cheetah reached down to pet the otter's neck, turning to give him a friendly hug. "You should go back to your village and speak with your elder. I will meet with him tonight. In the meantime, I have some personal matters to attend to."

The otter nodded, rising to his feet. He brushed dirt out of his pelt, then sniffed lightly. The cheetah's scent had rubbed off on his fur, reminding him of his evening spent with the gentle predator. He adjusted his loincloth, then bowed to the feline politely and excused himself. He hurried into the forest, moving swiftly in the direction of the village as Frosty looked on.

Yawning softly, Frosty glanced up the path to the small cabin. He considered the small bathroom that the cabin had to offer, then shook his head; better head into the woods. Considering the meal that he'd eaten, it would be necessary. He padded up the dock and made his way into the trees, finding a quiet place to relieve himself that was safe from prying eyes. He swept an area clear of leaves and debris, then positioned himself in a squat.

It was several minutes before the feline finished the deed, his hind legs scratching at the ground to kick dirt and leaves over the remains of his meal. He peered over his shoulder at the coiled mass, the dark pile littered with bits of bone and fur. Beyond that, not much of the otter had escaped the feline's efficient digestive tract. The slender male had left a soft layer around the cheetah's belly, leaving Frosty a bit less sleek than usual.

As Frosty made his way back to the cabin, he was reminded of the gift he'd been given before devouring the otter. He paused, crouching down to slip the stone bracelet off his forelimb. It glowed softly at him, a pleasant warmth radiating from the band. His eyes scanned over the intricate patterns and symbols that had been meticulously carved into the surface of the bracelet, trying to make sense of them. There didn't seem to be any recognizable pattern, though. He knelt down to slip it back over his leg, admiring the decoration.

"Perhaps I could use this as proof of a job completed," he chuckled.

Frosty returned to the cabin, humming to himself as he debated making something for breakfast. He belly was empty now, and demanded food. He giggled as the thought of snatching an otter crossed his mind. It was a tempting idea, though the softness around his waist reminded him that he would likely lose his preferred figure if he did. Still, he was being offered a lot of money. Perhaps he could just work it off later...

* * * * * * * * * *

Frosty found himself wandering along the shoreline that evening at sunset, hoping he would be able to find his way to the camp again. It wasn't located far from the water's edge, so in theory he could just follow the lake, assuming he didn't get distracted and miss it entirely. His ears flicked this way and that as he listened to the water lapping gently at the shore. A distinctly loud splash caught his attention, drawing his eyes to the water. There were ripples trailing through the water in a V-shape, indicating the presence of something swimming near the surface.

The cheetah's eyes followed the subtle movement, which disappeared after a short while. He lifted his gaze when he heard voices in the distance, spotting a fishing boat in the middle of the lake. Several men were busily working at the aft end, drawing in heavy fishing nets. Frosty paused to watch them work, wondering if this was the same company that had hired him. His stomach growled softly at the sight at the fishing nets being drawn into the ship, bulging with fish.

Frosty blinked rapidly when he noticed several small figures crawling up the sides of the net. He realized immediately what they were: otters. They were carefully maneuvering over the nets to avoid detection, sneaking away several fish at a time and diving back into the water. Frosty shook his head as he watched, chuckling to himself. No wonder the fishing company wanted them taken care of.

The slow pace along the water's edge resumed as the sky grew darker. The feline's head lifted when he realized that the soft thump of drums could be heard close by. His pace quickened when he realized that the drums were coming from the direction of the camp. Were the otters having some sort of celebration?

When Frosty arrived at the small village, the scene confirmed his assumption. A bright bonfire was burning at the center of the village, stacked high with logs and burning intensely. Several otters were dancing around the fire, decorated with brightly colored paint and feathers in their hair. A small group of otters was beating rhythmically on large drums, driving the pace of the dance. The smell of roasting fish greeted Frosty's nose. Several poles had been driven into the ground around the perimeter of the fire, speared through large fish that were being baked by the fire's heat. He was drawn in by the smell, his stomach growling noisily at him.

A heavily decorated otter caught Frosty's attention as he circled around the campfire, stopping abruptly when he spotted the cheetah. He was carrying a familiar staff, which Frosty recognized from his previous encounter with the male. The shaman grinned, bowing before the cheetah as the other dancers continued past him.

"Come, sit with me," the otter offered, beckoning to Frosty as he turned. "Join us in our celebration."

Frosty nodded, following the male around the roaring campfire. He almost wanted to join the otters in dancing, but he was afraid that he might embarrass himself. The drum beat was heavy in the air, though, pushing at his body and encouraging him. Perhaps he would a bit later. The well-decorated shaman led Frosty over to a spot in front of his tent, where he turned and knelt down. The feline did the same, his tauric body stretched out on the bare earth.

"So, uh, why all the dancing and drums? Is something special going on that I don't know about?"

The elderly otter grinned, gazing intently into the cheetah's eyes. "You, of course. We're celebrating the presence of such a special being."

Frosty sighed heavily, resting his head in his palm for a moment. "I just ate one of their tribe members, and they're celebrating. These otters are crazy," he thought to himself. He didn't say anything out loud, however.

The otter frowned at the cheetah's reaction. Had he said something to upset the feline? He leaned forward slightly, his tail flicking anxiously. "Are you not pleased about this?"

Frosty considered his words as he lifted his head. "I'm surprised. Nobody has ever celebrated me for anything."

"Why is that?" the otter inquired, his curiosity building at the statement.

Frosty shrugged. "I'm not anything special. I was sent here on a specific mission, but I've always just worked my way through life without any real purpose."

The otter furrowed his brow at the response. "What is your purpose here, then?"

Frosty hesitated. If he told the truth, he would blow his cover and likely be driven out of the village, risking his bounty. If he lied, though, what could he tell them? He tried to maintain a straight face as he considered his options. His long, spotted tail flicked quickly through the air as he gazed intently at the elderly otter.

"I've...been instructed not to share my dealings with anyone." It was the truth, one way or another.

The otter sighed at the reply. "The maker must be testing us, sending us such a special being with a secret task."

"Oh, Lord, they still think that?" Frosty said aloud.

The otter looked quite startled by this revelation. "What do you mean?"

Frosty's blood went cold. Shit. "Uh, I...I have to leave!"

Frosty stood abruptly, his claws digging at the ground as he bolted away from the encampment. Several otters stopped what they were doing, watching with surprise as the white feline surged away from the camp in a blur. The shaman was left quite bewildered, wondering what the feline had meant. What was the cheetah hiding from them? What was the mission that the feline spoke of, that had brought him to this village?

The shaman beckoned to a group of nearby otters. "Follow the cat. Do what you must to make him comfortable..."

* * * * * * * * * *

Frosty closed the cabin door abruptly behind himself, panting heavily. He had sprinted the whole way back to his cabin, his mind racing. He leaned against the door, his paw still resting on the handle.

"Shit. Shit, shit, shit..."

Frosty leaned back, thumping his head against the door as he considered his options. He'd unintentionally revealed far more than he wanted to. He'd potentially compromised his entire job by slipping up. It was likely that the otters wouldn't let him anywhere close to the village now. If he wanted to continue, he would have to be more careful, possibly even resort to less civilized methods of eliminating the otters.

He glanced down at the bracelet around his forelimb, considering the possibilities. Perhaps he could return to the canine later and lie. He had proof that he'd removed at least one otter. Would that be enough, though? He would be putting himself in a bad spot, if the large canine saw through his cover up. Considering how big the male was, the dog might even try to kill him for it. He shuddered at the thought, dismissing it from his mind immediately.

"I need to come up with a convincing story," he mumbled. "There's got to be something I can do to make those otters accept me."

Frosty didn't have much time to consider his options. His ears perked when he heard shuffling outside, nearly falling over when the door pushed against him. He stepped away abruptly and turned, the door swinging open with another push. Three otters were standing in the doorway, eyes resting on the startled cat.

"Fuck!" Frosty cried out, jumped back at the sight of the otters. He stumbled back several steps, fully expecting to be attacked.

"Please, we mean you no harm," one of the otters reassured him.

Frosty recognized Eid immediately, despite the otter's colorful body paint. The soft belly gave him away from the other otters, who seemed quite slender and streamlined for the most part. The feline calmed a bit, wondering if the otters really meant it or not. The familiar otter's presence did help the fact, his tail slowly flicking.

"Why did you come to my cabin?" Frosty asked.

"The shaman sent us to ease your tension," another answered. "What can we do for you, cat?"

"Okay, first of all, I'm sick of being called cat, feline, or whatever else you like to refer to me as. Just call me Frosty, please."

"Very well, Frosty. How can we help you?"

Frosty belly rumbled softly, much as it had the previous time. His body seemed to have poor timing around these otters, and the fact that the last one had been so deliciously filling didn't help. The unfamiliar otter didn't catch it, but Eid did. He stifled a giggle, but was promptly silenced by a firm nudge from his darker companion. The darker otter was a bit confused by the timing of his friend's giggle, but he wasn't going to question it in front of the cheetah.

Frosty canted his head, making eye contact with Eid. He was puzzled as to why the otters were so eager to please him. Were they really that stuck on him being a higher power with a mission to assist the tribe? He decided not to question it, though, pondering over the possibilities. These otters were so willing, so why not test how far he could go?

"Actually, a few ideas do come to mind. Why don't you start rubbing, and we'll see what develops, hmm?"

Eid looked quite pleased with the request, but the other two were surprised. It seemed like an innocent enough request, but surely the cat wanted more than just a massage. Neither of the otters wanted to question whether or not the cheetah sought more from them. Eid, on the other hand, seemed to have no trouble accommodating the feline. He stepped forward, his paws reaching up to start at the feline's chest. Frosty shook his head gently, taking the otter's paws in his and guiding them to his lower half.

"Too high, friend. You get to start down there," the cheetah calmly instructed.

The otter didn't seem at all put off by the feline's direction. He eagerly rubbed along the cheetah's lower back, running his fingers over the spotted pelt. Frosty purred softly in approval, stretching out with an arched back. He closed his eyes for a moment to enjoy the soft touch, feeling the otter's deft fingers weaving through his spots in unique motions.

The cheetah's eyes reopened after several seconds, realizing that there was only one set of paws kneading him. The other two hadn't moved, seeming to hesitate. They had heard what happened to the shaman's son, via an unusually excited account from Eid. Despite Eid's reassurances, some of the tribe's members were convinced that the feline had put some sort of spell over him.

"Are you just going to stand there?" Frosty inquired. "I'm offended that you wouldn't jump on the opportunity to tend to such a handsome creature."

The anxious looks that the otters returned at this revelation were exactly what Frosty had been hoping for. One of them stepped forward immediately, while the other hesitated. The otter's paws trembled as he reached up, kneading over the cheetah's slender waist.

"My apologies, Frosty. We don't mean to offend. We'll do whatever you ask."

Frosty smirked, looping his arms around the otter's waist and hugging him. "I'm glad to hear that. Why don't you help your friend lower down? There's plenty of space to cover." The cheetah made eye contact with the third otter, who was still keeping his distance. "And you. Come join us, I have something special in mind if you lend a hand."

The otter hesitated as Frosty's belly growled noisily, rumbling against Eid's paws. Frosty beckoned to him, purring deeply as another set of paws joined Eid in diligently caressing and stroking over his spotted pelt. He yawned deeply, stretching out with his arms behind his back to flaunt his toned body. The third otter reluctantly slid closer, fearing what the feline might do if he refused.

Frosty hugged the small male when he was close enough, rubbing over his back. "I knew you'd come around eventually."

The cheetah's pleasant rumble turned into a soft groan when a wandering paw brushed over his underbelly, briefly sweeping over his sheath. His hips ground forward, hoping that one of the two otters kneeling beside him would pick up the subtle hint. Another pleasant growl rose from his throat when a paw groped his sheath, cupping it firmly. Opening his eyes, Frosty was surprised to see that Eid was still tending to his back and sides. The other male had a paw resting between his legs, fondling gently.

The last otter to join, a nearly ebony-furred male, uncertainly shifted in the cheetah's arms. He kept his paws to himself for now, unsure of what he should do. Frosty chuckled at his nervousness, slipping his paws down to shamelessly caress the otter's rump beneath his loincloth. The male squeaked, pushing against the feline's chest, his ears flattening in embarrassment. Another firm grope weakened the otter's resolve, though the lutrine still attempted to squirm out of the cheetah's grasp. Even if the feline wasn't going to eat him, he wasn't nearly as secure as his companions when it came to sexual activities.

"Such a stubborn boy," Frosty growled into the male's ear. "I think we're just going to have to put you in your place."

The otter's ears flattened at the cheetah's words, his protesting struggles growing more animated when the feline hugged him tightly. The cat easily had him pinned in his arms, however. The cheetah crooned softly when a paw began to firmly knead back and forth over a swelling sheath, glancing back to watch the two for a moment. Eid seemed to be getting into the attention as much as the other male, his fingers working steadily lower until he was groping and squeezing the cheetah's flanks.

Frosty returned his attention to the otter in his grasp, bending down to lick between the male's ears. The otter chirped in protest, ducking down to prevent the cat from reaching his face. This didn't seem to deter the feline, though. He licked over the back of the otter's head, dragging his tongue through the sleek fur. The otter squeaked and whined in response, having a good idea of what the cheetah was planning.

The otter's suspicion was confirmed when a heated breath washed over him, followed by darkness and slick flesh. Frosty had taken his time with the first otter he'd consumed, but with this otter being so noncompliant, he wanted to ensure he wouldn't have a chance to escape. His tongue slurped over the male's face, then slipped beneath his chin and tugged upward. The otter attempted to duck away and avoid the motion, but with another lunge he found his muzzle pointing toward the cheetah's throat.

Eid's ears perked when he heard a distinct slurp, glancing up briefly to peek. He giggled to himself when he saw the cheetah hunched over his companion, his tail wagging. The otter on the other side of Frosty's tauric body didn't seem to notice, too preoccupied with the cheetah's parts. He continued to attentively caress the musky sheath as an emerging length of pink flesh greeted his fingers, coaxing out the cheetah's shaft.

Frosty groaned around his mouthful of otter when a gentle paw circled his length, squeezing tenderly over the sensitive spire. He thrust his hips forward eagerly, encouraging the pleasant sensations. He pushed his head down over the otter's shoulders, firmly wedging the male's head into his throat in a swift motion and a wet slurp. The otter wiggled in protest, determined to avoid becoming the feline's next meal. Unfortunately for the lutrine, Frosty's desire to fill his belly was greater.

The cheetah's arms squeezed the otter possessively, giving the male little leverage to squirm free. He worked the otter's shoulders toward his slick throat, nibbling and slurping his way down the male's torso. He crooned around his meal, his hips bobbing gently as the two otters kneaded and caressed over his lower regions. Eid's paws were caressing up and down the cheetah's fuzzy rump, while the other male was expressing increased interest in the firm length between Frosty's legs. The smell of arousal was growing, inviting the attentive otter to get more involved.

The eager male ducked down, sliding beneath the cheetah's torso to slip both paws around the erect pink flesh. Frosty perked up when he felt the small lutrine's body against him, twisting his upper body to peek down at the otter. He giggled softly around his wiggly meal, seeing an otter's tail wagging between his forelegs. He groaned as a second paw joined the first, sending a shiver of pleasure through his body, accompanied by a wet spurt of pre.

The feline gulped firmly around his meal, drawing another startled squeak from the otter he was devouring as the male's entire torso slid into his throat. He pinned the otter's kicking legs together, squeezing tightly to prevent him from causing any harm. His eyes closed as he focused on finishing his meal quickly, but the pair of diligent paws around his member was distracting him.

Growling hungrily, eager to fill his belly with another squirming meal, he hefted the otter's legs into the air. The lutrine's tail lashed back and forth quickly as the cheetah gulped, the male's hips sliding back into the cheetah's throat. His head was beginning to push through Frosty's midsection, a series of lewd bulges squeezing deeper into the spotted predator. The feline groaned when a warm tongue greeted the tip of his length, causing him to tremble and push his hips forward.

The helpless meal gradually slid deeper into Frosty's throat with several gulps, the slender male twitching and letting out muffled whimpers. He had all but given up now, knowing that he had no chance of escaping the cheetah's hunger. His feet wiggled as they descended toward the cat's maw, drawing the cheetah's attention to his paws. The feline's fingers kneaded over the webbed feet, then bumped into a small hoop. Frosty's eyes opened, focusing on a band around the lutrine's ankle that was similar to the one Frosty had received from his first meal. He clenched his jaws around the otter's knees to halt his progress, debating.

Frosty eventually wrapped his fingers around the otter's anklet, tugging at it and slipping it free. The otter's feet kicked, the end of his tail flicking when he felt the trinket slide away. There wasn't anything he could do about, however, as another firm gulp tucked the webbed feet into the cat's maw. As the cheetah resumed licking, the otter was reminded of the shaman's words.

"As long as this relic is safe, you will be protected by the spirits."

Having witness the shaman's power firsthand, the lutrine calmed somewhat. He trusted that his elder was right. Frosty lapped and suckled gently over the otter's paws before sending them into his gullet, letting his body's natural motions handle the rest. He slipped the lightly glowing trinket over his wrist, admiring the new addition. He could feel the lutrine settling as his body slid deeper, suspecting that the male had given up and surrendered to the situation.

The cat's appreciation was interrupted by another teasing lick, thrusting his hips forward involuntarily. There was a startled, yet muffled chirp that accompanied the motion, as well as an unexpectedly pleasant stretching sensation at the tip of his shaft. Eid, who had been idly distracting himself with the cheetah's hindquarters and tail, took notice of his friend's outburst. He peeked down, and was surprised to find the otter muzzle-deep in the cheetah's shaft. The otter looked quite startled by his unusual predicament, his paws gently pushing at the cheetah's hind legs to dislodge himself from that slippery embrace. The smell of the cat's musk had been strong outside, but within the slick passage it was almost overwhelming.

Frosty groaned and gulped sharply, his throat rippling to knead the trapped meal deeper into his body. The devoured otter was beginning to fill out his belly, the outline of his frame pushing against the other lutrine's back as it slid into the fleshy stomach. When the nervous lutrine attempted to free himself, Frosty's forelimbs clenched tightly around his hips, hindering his attempt. The cheetah's hips thrust forward, using the leverage to squeeze the male's head deeper into his pre-slickened urethra.

Eid seemed strangely fascinated by the cheetah's unusual talent, peeling himself from the attention he'd been giving the cat's hips. He reached up to rest a paw on the pink erection, feeling the distinct outline of the otter's face. The pulsing shaft was stretched cleanly over the otter's head, an expression of surprise visible from the outside. Eid's paw tugged away when the cheetah thrust forward, the opening of his urethra sliding over the struggling lutrine's neck. The feline's forepaws maintained a firm grip over his hind-end, keeping the otter lodged in place.

Frosty stretched as his meal settled into his belly, feeling it weighing down on the otter that was gradually being thrust deeper into his shaft. Eid's paws were beginning to knead back and forth over the feline's pulsing length, encouraging the cheetah to thrust gently. The soft motions caused the otter to slowly squeeze deeper into Frosty's dripping member, the stretched slit slowly working itself over the otter's shoulders, leaving the male's arms pinned to his sides.

The spotted cat crooned blissfully at the feel of a second squirming mass entering his body, the first otter still shifting around in his gut. The trapped male was pushing his paws against the slippery walls, trying to find a way out of his predicament. Having a squirming gut was satisfying, but the feel of the otter stretching his shaft was indescribable. He was shivering and twitching, holding himself back from driving his hips forward in needy thrusts. Slick pre was oozing up around the male from the cheetah's excitement, providing plenty of lubrication for the unfortunate lutrine. Eid's paws working over his length was only making this more difficult for the spotted cat.

The cheetah's forelimbs gave a firm tug as his hips rocked forward, his shaft slurping wetly around the otter's shoulders and chest. A ripple of motion in the cheetah's urethra followed the lutrine's slender frame, helping coax him deeper. He allowed himself a moment to relax, grunting when the otter wiggled. This stimulated him to thrust again, nearly half of the otter's body stuffed into his shaft with little difficulty.

Eid's paws ventured farther down his package, feeling the otter's head settling past the cheetah's sheath and into his fuzzy sac. The lutrine gave a curious squeeze, wondering how the cheetah managed to accomplish this feat. Certainly no normal creature could achieve such a thing. His wonder only grew as Frosty thrust again, noisily slurping the otter's body until the opening was wrapped around his midsection.

Frosty glanced down at the fascinated lutrine with a soft chuckle, his soft tail flicking back and forth excitedly. He groaned as another wiggle rippled up the length of his urethra, making him shiver with excitement. Had he not been holding himself back the entire time, he likely would have experienced an intense orgasm just then. His hind legs trembled as he squat, giving another push against the otter's slender frame. The otter's waist disappeared into the cheetah's thick pink spire, the streamlined frame of the otter's body "swimming" down the cheetah's urethra.

With the otter's hips disappearing into the cheetah's shaft, Frosty had to adjust himself to continue pushing the otter deeper. His forelimbs squeezed the otter's thighs together, pulling them toward himself with another musky slurp. The smell of sex had practically permeated the small cabin now, drops of slick precum leaking from the gaping slit. The cheetah's excitement was causing a small mess on the floor; one that he would have to take care of later.

The otter's progress was momentarily halted when his head pushed firmly against the depths of the cheetah's sac, a pool of thick feline semen clinging to his fur. He held his breath, squirming about in an attempt to find some fresh air. The motion eventually tipped his head forward, causing the otter's body to begin curling up. The cat's sac swelled around the passenger, stretching to accommodate the otter's body. This allowed Frosty to give a push, feeding more of the lutrine's legs into his kneading passage. With the majority of the otter's body tucked away he was able to lift him away from the floor, reaching down to grip the male's webbed feet with his hands.

Frosty paused a moment to allow the otter to curl up against himself before giving another shove, the male's knees disappearing into his pink shaft. Eid reached up to run his fingers along his companion's ankles and feet, then slowly worked his way to the cheetah's stretched slit. He massaged along the entrance, getting his fingers slick with the cheetah's pre. He pulled back abruptly, though, when another thrust nearly pulled his paws in with the otter's ankles, his heart skipping a beat. The otter ducked away with a blush, feeling a rush of excitement spread over his body.

The otter's fingers eventually resumed their task, slowly caressing over the cat's length, now slickened by the feline's drippings. His eyes focused on the webbed paws squirming just beyond the cat's swollen pink shaft, a giggle escaping his lips at the sight. Frosty was having some difficulty reaching them, though, the cheetah twisting himself to reach down and finish the task. He paused when he felt a gentle nudge against the otter's feet that wasn't his own. A grin crept over his muzzle as he watched Eid lean in and kiss the otter's feet, following it with a firm push.

The brown lutrine rubbed his slickened fingers against his friend's paws before they disappeared into Frosty's member. He let his paws follow the otter's ankles inside, feeling the gentle tug of the cat's urethra. He was tempted to help himself into the cat's shaft, though he wasn't sure the cheetah could manage it. He pulled his paws back before it was too late, giggling at the lewd slurp the motion caused. His paws wrapped gently around the cheetah's shaft, stroking downward in a smooth caress.

Frosty's hips rocked forward when the otter's paws stroked over his length, a pleasured groan rising from his throat. The soft groan rose in a crescendo of passion when the otter squeezed his length, ending abruptly with a gasp as the male's tongue greeted the tip. Frosty was so close to his peak it almost hurt, the otter's kneading motions helping to tuck the rest of his companion into the cheetah's sagging sac. The cheetah's normally modest package was now hanging lewdly between his hind legs, proudly displaying his trapped victim and complimenting the swollen gut.

The otter's muzzle eased forward, gently slipping over the head of the cat's throbbing member. He suckled lightly, drawing another heated moan from the cheetah. His paws continued to skillfully squeeze and knead over the cheetah's pink flesh, drawing Frosty rapidly to a numbing orgasm. His length flared as a firm throb greeted the otter with a burst of hot seed. Eid's eyes flicked open as he tasted the cat's warm cream, suckling lightly to draw out more. He didn't have to try hard, though, as the cheetah began filling his muzzle at an alarming rate.

The pressure behind the feline's spurts was almost too much, ropes of creamy fluid leaking around the corners of his muzzle. He gulped quickly, his eyes fluttering closed as he breathed the cheetah's rich musk. His paws kneaded along the base of the cat's shaft, caressing slowly upward to milk out that heated load. It tasted distinctly of otter, something that gave Eid a shiver of guilty pleasure.

Frosty sighed heavily with bliss as he gently rocked his hips against the otter's soft muzzle, the flow of his orgasm eventually tapering. He panted softly, his heart racing as his body began to unwind. The otter in his belly had fallen still, though the lutrine curled up in his sac was still wiggling about in the slippery confines. The cheetah was content that the male had not been squirted out with his warm load, happy to feel his hefty sac shifting and twitching.

Eid slowly withdrew his muzzle once the cheetah had stopped dripping, giving the feline's sac a gentle grope. He licked the tip clean with a happy purr, a paw drifting up to knead over the sagging bulge in Frosty's belly. The otter's own stomach had an admirable pudge to it, a bit more rounded than he was used to seeing. He hadn't been expecting such a volume from the cheetah.

The otter's ears perked when he heard a deep, rumbling yawn escape the feline's gaping muzzle. He carefully crawled out from under the cheetah, wrapping his arms around the feline's waist to give him a firm hug. Frosty chuckled at the gesture, reaching down and gathering Eid in his arms. He hugged the otter tightly against the front of his body as he fully rose to his feet, balancing himself carefully so he didn't strain himself with the bulk of the two "meals" in his body. He languidly strolled over to the fireplace, carrying Eid against himself. He settled onto the comfortable rug in front of the fireplace, rolling to his side cautiously to avoid disturbing his occupants.

"Thanks for- uuurp- help with dinner, hun," Frosty purred, nuzzling the otter between the ears as his belly gurgled.

The otter chuckled, hugging Frosty's shoulders. "Anytime, I guess."

Frosty yawned, closing his eyes and stretching out with an otter in his arms. Something dawned on him as he was drifting off to sleep. "You know, I don't think I ever removed your friend's bracelet before he disappeared into my balls."

Even as the desire for sleep overtook him, Eid faintly registered that there was something alarming in what Frosty had said. He let the feeling pass as he yawned and settled, drifting into pleasant dreams...

* * * * * * * * * *

Standing before a full-length mirror, Frosty sighed. He turned himself to the side to inspect his belly, which was noticeably pudgier than he would've liked. Even after taking care of necessary business in the bushes earlier that morning, his belly still had a noticeable roundness to it. He muttered to himself, rubbing a paw over his soft midsection. A rigorous exercise plan would be in order when he got home. Perhaps he could jog around the lake a bit to get a head start on his workout.

Twisting his upper body to look over his shoulder, he couldn't help but admire the lingering bulge in his sac. Despite having relieved himself with an especially pleasant session of masturbation first thing in the morning, his sac still appeared rather engorged. Fortunately, it was shrunken enough to allow him to comfortably move about. Perhaps another session would reduce it to its usual dimensions.

Returning his gaze to his soft belly, he grumbled. "Stupid otters are going to make me fat. Totally worth it, though," he chuckled, giving his belly a little push. Frosty gazed out the window, humming to himself quietly. "Think I'll get started on that jog."

The cheetah stepped out into the cool morning air, stretching his limbs with a soft purr. He felt unusually refreshed and full of energy, perhaps as a direct result of the previous night's activities. He kicked the door shut with a foot, trotting toward the lakeside. He hopped several times to warm himself up a bit, then set off along the lakeshore at a slow jog. His paws left shallow imprints in the soft earth, leaving a trail of prints for him to follow back to the cabin.

After several minutes, Frosty's pace slowed when he realized that he was quickly approaching the otter tribe. The camp was surprisingly quiet when he reached it. A thin trail of smoke was still rising from the fire pit at the center of the camp, and there were no otters to be found. Perhaps they were still asleep from the previous night's festivities. He continued jogging, content to leave the otters be for now. He stopped entirely when he heard soft singing, however.

The cheetah's ears perked up as he listened intently to the soft voice, stepping carefully forward to investigate. It was coming from a thick cluster of bushes near the edge of the lake. Branches from a large tree hung down over the water, providing something of a shelter to hide the figure from prying eyes. He gently pushed the bushes aside when he was close enough, peering through the gap. He was greeted with the sight of a slender female otter, her golden brown fur glistening in the light that filtered through the branches. She was standing thigh-deep in the water, providing the spotted cat with a shameless view of her attractive frame, though she had her back to the feline.

Frosty knelt forward through the bushes to watch, the otter's paws rubbing gently through her fur. The feline's tail flicked back and forth slowly, his eyes fixed on the slender female. As she turned, he realized that she was the same otter that had tended to his injury when he was first escorted to the camp. The white crescent on her forehead was distinct.

The feline's eyes glanced down when he felt something beneath his paws sliding. A large fragment of the shore broke away abruptly, sending the cat toppling forward through the bushes. He landed in the water with a mighty splash, flinging water in every direction. The female lutrine shrieked, her arms immediately wrapping around her chest to cover herself. She ducked down in the water until it rippled around her belly, her tail lashing back and forth as she stepped back several times to put space between herself and the peeping creature.

Luna's eyes fell on the white feline as he tried to right himself, his paws churning up mud beneath the surface. She gasped loudly when she realized who her stalker was, rushing forward to assist the cheetah. Frosty nearly pulled her down as she helped him to his feet, the cat's fur dripping wetly. He blushed profusely, rather flustered that he'd been caught spying.

The female waited until Frosty had regained his composure to release him, her arms naturally folding over her chest to maintain a small amount of modesty in front of the cheetah. She turned her head away, blushing lightly at the unexpected intrusion to her private time. Had it been anyone else, she likely would have fled, or shooed them away, but she didn't want to offend the unique feline.

Frosty stood in awkward silence for several seconds, the water dripping off his fur as he considered what to say. He didn't want to frighten or scare her away, though he couldn't deny the thoughts that were running through his mind. Those thoughts were stirring the cheetah's groin, which thankfully was submerged in the cool water. As Frosty pondered his first words, however, the otter turned back to him, though her gaze was still slightly averted.

"Why have you come to me like this?" she inquired softly. "What do you require of me?"

"I was drawn in by your singing," he admitted. Perhaps if he was honest, he wouldn't upset her. "You have a beautiful voice."

Luna blushed softly, her small ears perking up a little. "You flatter me. Surely, I'm not worthy of such praise from you."

Frosty chuckled quietly. "You are, though. You deserve to be recognized for such a talent. How did you learn to sing so well?"

"The women in our tribe are all well-practiced in singing. We've been gifted with it for generations."

The feline nodded, reaching out to caress Luna's cheek. "I would love to have you sing for me some time, Luna."

The otter blinked as she was addressed by name. She didn't recall ever introducing herself to the cheetah. This only reinforced her belief that he was some sort of deity. What she didn't realize, however, was that her companion had presented her to the cheetah by name when she was summoned to tend to his injury.

"I would be honored to," she eventually replied. "We can meet up once I've freshened up a bit."

She gently stepped away from the cheetah, expecting him to depart. Instead, though, he stepped closer. He purred softly, his eyes glancing over her slender frame. He licked his lips as he reached out, slipping his arms over her shoulders and drawing the slender frame against his own. His tail slowly flicked through the water as he felt her squirming nervously against him.

"There will be time for that. Right now, though, I'd love to get to know you on a much more...intimate level."

Luna's ears perked at the cheetah's suggestion, flushing deeply. She tried to push herself away, but the feline's hold on her shoulders was firm. She struggled in his arms, her thick tail flicking anxiously.

"That's not allowed," she protested, trying to push against the spotted feline's chest. "We only mate when it's necessary to breed. It's in the tribe's laws."

"I'd say these are special circumstances," Frosty chuckled, hugging the female lutrine snug against his body. "You would win quite a bit of favor with this cheetah."

The otter still seemed hesitant. "No, I can't. It wouldn't be right."

Frosty hummed, his paws gently kneading over her back as he considered his words. "You would turn down an offer to personally tend to this feline's needs? I'm offended."

This seemed to grab her attention. She whimpered quietly as the cheetah's words sank into her mind. Several of her friends had already disappeared after visiting the cat, and she didn't want to risk upsetting him and meeting a similar end. Perhaps if she complied with his wishes, it would pacify the cheetah. The thought conflicted heavily with what she'd been taught from her earliest days in life. What she was considering was strictly forbidden by the tribe's law. Still, it might cause further harm to the tribe if she declined.

Eventually, a heavy sigh escaped her lips. "Very well. You may do with me as you wish."

A devious smirk played over the cheetah's muzzle at the reluctant surrender. He embraced her gently, content that her struggles were relenting. His paws slowly caressed over the length of her back as he leaned down to kiss her between the ears.

"Make yourself comfortable, then. I assure you that this will be an unforgettable experience."

Luna nearly stumbled when the cheetah released her, webbed feet sinking into the soft mud. Her mind told her to run and put as much space between herself and the amorous feline as possible. Recent incidents involving the feline, however, reminded her that it would be unwise. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, slowly turning and wading toward the shore.

"Spirits, forgive me for what I'm about to do," she said quietly.

The female otter reached up and lifted her body onto the grassy embankment, the earthen ledge providing a natural perch. Her legs hung down into the water, her webbed feet nervously circling in the calm pool. Frosty's eyes gazed over her exposed body, getting his first good look. He gave an approving nod as he moved toward the water's edge, his blue eyes fixing on hers. Luna blushed when they made eye contact, turning her head away. Her tail swished anxiously behind her, brushing through the soft grass.

Frosty reached up and slid his arms around the otter's waist, hugging her gently. He leaned in and placed a soft kiss on her cheek, making her whimper softly. He frowned at the reaction, rubbing his paws gently along her sides.

"Just relax, and let yourself enjoy it," he purred softly into her ear.

She tried to take his advice to heart, but it was difficult to turn a blind eye to something that had been so deeply engrained in her mind. She squeaked in surprise when her body was pushed back, grabbing the cheetah's arms to catch herself. Frosty's paws gently squeezed her waist, letting the otter know that he wasn't going to drop her. He laid her back in the soft grass, bending down to kiss her neck with a soft purr.

Luna whined quietly when the feline began to trail gentle kisses down her shoulder, moving slowly toward her chest. Her paws immediately rose up to cover her chest, but the cheetah's paws gently gripped her wrists and tugged them away, pinning them against the ground. She protested with a soft chirp, squirming against the grass, but she didn't fight. Frosty placed a gentle kiss on the sleek fur just above her small breasts, but slid himself down so that he could nuzzle her slender belly. The lutrine breathed a soft sigh when the cat passed over her chest.

Frosty sniffed lightly at the sleek fur on her belly, purring quietly. She had a scent similar to the others he had met thus far, but it had a pleasant aroma to it as well. It set her apart from the rest of the otters he'd encountered. The feminine scent encouraged him to continue exploring, nuzzling lower on her belly and giving a soft lick. The taste of her fur on his tongue made the cheetah's stomach growl softly, but he pushed the thought out of his mind. He was more interested in sex than food at the immediate moment. He would resolve his hunger in time, though.

The female squeaked when the cheetah's head ducked lower, nearly resting in intimate regions. Frosty's nose was greeted with the pleasant aroma of female pheromones, his tongue flicking out to brush teasingly over Luna's lower belly. She tried to pull herself away from the lewd act, but found it impossible to escape with the cheetah's paws gripping her wrists.

Frosty's tongue dipped lower, drawing a startled squeak from the otter's muzzle. She shivered when the tip of his tongue brushed across the very top of her nether regions, squeezing her thighs together. The attempt to prevent licking was futile, though, as the cheetah's tongue was still able to brush over the very top of her vulva. Frosty exploited this, pushing the tip of his rough appendage over her warm flesh. The direct attention made Luna squirm and gasp, a shiver of undeniable pleasure rushing up her back.

Despite the nagging reminder that she was doing something in direct opposition to the tribe's laws, her resolve was slowly breaking with each lewd caress of the cat's tongue. The fur was glistening with the cheetah's drool, matting down in the direction he was licking. The taste of the otter's body was stirring his arousal, driving the cheetah to sneak his tongue deeper, probing the tip between Luna's thighs. She squeezed gently to hinder the attempt, but the cheetah's slick tongue managed to lick directly over her nethers.

The rough tongue proceeded to flick over that area several times, drawing a chorus of whimpers and squeaking from the otter. As opposed as she was to the situation, she couldn't deny the pleasure that the cat's tongue gave her sensitive regions. Her body was growing steadily warmer, betraying her opposition to the experience with growing arousal. The intoxicating scent rising from her body proved to be too much for Frosty, unable to hold himself back any longer.

Luna tensed when the cheetah lifted his head away from her body, lifting his slender frame onto the grassy shore. His forelegs rested on either side of her body as he stretched out, his hind limbs still in the water. He shifted his weight forward, presenting her with an erect pink member. It pulsed gently as he gazed down at her, his deep chest rumbling with an audible purr. Luna turned her head after a brief glance downward, her face burning with embarrassment.

The cheetah's frame lowered until his erect shaft was resting against the otter's belly, his body perched over her. He ground gently, growling with lust as her sleek fur caressed over his flesh. His hips pulled back, drawing the length along the lower region of her abdomen. With her thighs tucked together, however, that was the best he could do. He gazed down at her with a needy groan, grinding against her body suggestively.

"Listen to your body," he purred, feeling the warmth rising from Luna. "Offer yourself to me, and let yourself become lost in intimate pleasure."

Frosty's words sank into her mind like poison. The nagging worry of breaking sacred vows gave way to her body's aroused state, undermining her better judgment. The struggling ceased as she took a deep breath, submitting to the feline's desires somewhat hesitantly. She shakily brought her legs up and tucked them around the cheetah's hind limbs, presenting herself to him.

"I give my body to you," she quietly replied. "I'll serve you in whatever manner you see fit."

Frosty chuckled softly at this, considering how previous adventures with these otters had ended when bodies were being offered. Perhaps once he was finished satisfying his needs, he would make her offer a bit more literal than she was intending. He eased his hips back until his pink shaft rested between the otter's thighs, his forepaws gently squeezing her body. Frosty reached up, grabbing one of the thicker overhanging branches to balance his upper body as he inched forward.

The cheetah paused when the tip of his length met the otter's body, brushing against her warm entrance. He gently rubbed back and forth, teasing her with the gentle motions, feeling the warm heat radiating from within. His forepaws gently rubbed along her sides as best they could, but with his body stretched out, he nearly slipped in the process.

Luna whimpered softly, biting her lip as she felt the cheetah's erect length probing at her entrance. The teasing only lasted a moment longer, though, as a soft grind shifted to a steady push. The tip of the cheetah's shaft nestled between the warm lips before sliding into the heated passage, drawing a satisfied groan from the cheetah, coupled with a quiet whimper of pleasure from Luna. She squirmed on the soft grass, her body subconsciously rocking against the cat's erection.

The cheetah's body tensed when he felt the warm flesh surrounding his tip squeeze over it, urging him to thrust forward. While his initial penetration had been gentle, the next push was a firm motion that squeezed the entirety of Frosty's shaft inside. The abrupt motion made Luna cry out, her body clenching tightly around the invading member. Frosty didn't stop until his lap was resting snug against Luna's, the heated passage gripping tenderly at the length of his member. His hips shifted back and forth in gentle grinding motions, drawing needy whining from the otter. While she was still anxious about the act, her body wanted more from the spotted feline.

Frosty slowly drew his hips back, his forepaws slipping down to squeeze at Luna's waist. He growled quietly as he thrust forward, bouncing her body lightly into the soft grass. He drew his hips back once again, beginning to work himself into a slow, steady rhythm. Each time he pushed into the warmth folds, a soft whimper of pleasure escaped the female otter's lips, her body trembling. Her thighs squeezed lightly around the cheetah's hind limbs, coaxing the feline to continue. Frosty was all too eager to accommodate her invitation.

The branches overhead rustled as Frosty began to pick up the pace, the small female squeezing around his length. It wasn't often that he enjoyed sex with females, but the small otter was almost irresistible. He gazed down at Luna, who was giving in to the pleasure of the moment. The look of bliss on her face indicated just how much she was beginning to enjoy herself. She attempted to rock her hips upward to match the cheetah's thrusts, guiding the tip of his length into some of her more sensitive areas.

Despite how much he wanted this moment to last, the firm clench around his shaft was making it difficult for Frosty to draw out the experience. The size difference between the two made her unusually snug, sending intense ripples of pleasure through the cheetah's groin each time he thrust in. His shaft pulsed heavily, signaling a nearing peak as he began to thrust harder. Luna's mouth hung open with passionate groaning, her protest all but demolished by the cat's lust.

Frosty began to pant heavily as his thrusts became much quicker and somewhat erratic. The pleasure was driving him to almost feral instincts, his hips moving in a blur of motion now. Luna's body was radiating with heat, carrying with it the smell of sex. The aroma was growing heavy in the air, rising from the two bodies and mingling together. This only further stirred the cheetah's desires, eager to bring himself to climax.

The feline's body clenched as he felt a familiar tension rising in his groin, passing the point of no return. He let out a shuddering growl of pleasure as he buried the entire length of his shaft into the otter's body, his forepaws clasping her waist. The cheetah's chest rose and fell in rapid panting as he burst, filling the warm space with his spunk. Luna's hands caressed gently over the cat's feet, running her webbed fingers through the spotted fur along Frosty's legs. She could feel the warmth of the feline's seed spreading into her body, and despite the back of her mind reminding her it was wrong, she seemed to enjoy the serene moment of intimate connection that the pair shared.

Luna's body was ablaze, the cool grass beneath sending a chill up her back. She reached up to drape her arms around the cat's forequarters, giving him a gentle hug as they slowly came down from sexual highs. The world around them seemed to grow silent and still, mirroring the relaxing sensation that was spreading through their bodies. Frosty's hind legs relaxed, the cheetah's body pulling away from Luna's as he eased down into the water. His length pulled away smoothly, beginning to soften and retreat into the musky sheath.

Gentle arms circled around the otter's midsection, lifting her from the ground and cuddling her up against Frosty's body. She cooed softly, nestling into Frosty's warmth and smiling. Her thick tail wagged back and forth as she was lowered into the water, her webbed feet finding the soft mud once more. She draped her arms around Frosty's waist and gave him a friendly hug, enjoying the cooling sensation of the water against her sleek pelt. For several moments, she was relaxing in blissful afterglow, having forgotten the offense she had committed.

Frosty leaned down and nuzzled Luna between the ears, ruffling her sleek fur. His paws rubbed softly over her back as his tongue began to explore, reminding the cheetah that he'd skipped breakfast. The aroma rising from Luna's body was almost irresistible still, stirring a different hunger in the feline's body. The female squeaked softly, still rather distracted from the comedown of their sexual romp. When Frosty began to nibble lightly over her ear, though, she snapped from her daze.

"Do you wish something else of me?" she asked quietly.

The feline grinned as he squeezed her slender frame possessively, preventing her from wiggling away if she suddenly decided to struggle. He remained silent for the moment, however, save for the steady purring that was rising from his deep tauric chest. He slipped his muzzle over one of her ears, suckling softly on it. The motion drew a startled squeak from the otter's lips, her body still sensitive to the cheetah's touch.

Luna gently pulled herself away from Frosty's body, but the cheetah's arms still kept her close. "If there's anything else you want, please, let me know," she said quietly.

The otter lifted her head to gaze up at Frosty, but instead of a warm smile, she was greeted with the pink flesh of the cheetah's maw. She gasped when the cheetah's head lowered toward her, opening her mouth to shriek. She only managed to do so for a split second before the cheetah's maw sealed over her face, pinning her muzzle closed and muffling the cry. Frosty crooned happily, his jaws watering as he eagerly began to ingest his nude meal...

* * * * * * * * * *

The cheetah's ears perked when he heard the cabin door creak. He was stretched out in front of the fireplace, enjoying the warmth of the gas fire on an unusually cool evening. The ringed tip of his tail flicked against the floor as he peered back, spotting a pair of otters standing in the dim light. They regarded him with a nod, letting the door close behind them as they approached. The expression on their faces indicated concern, with a hint of nervousness that grew when they neared the cheetah.

"It's a cold evening to be venturing out like this," Frosty mused, gazing at the hissing gas fire.

"We were hoping you could help us," one of the otters replied. "Luna, a member of our tribe, has gone missing. We found her belongings near the lakeshore, but no sign of her."

A knowing grin spread over Frosty's muzzle. A paw idly reached down to caress his soft gut, kneading into a cushy layer of belly fat. He continued to gaze into the warm fireplace, however, not yet speaking directly to the two males. His stomach gurgled quietly, making one of the otters jump. The other fidgeted nervously, his thick tail flicking slowly from side to side.

"Luna has gone missing? Any sign of her whereabouts?" Frosty inquired casually.

The otters shook their heads. "No signs at all. There aren't any indications that she was attacked, nor have we received word from any of our sister tribes about her location."

Frosty's ears perked at the mention of other tribes. Perhaps this otter problem was larger than the fishing company had anticipated. He grinned to himself at the thought of job security, his tail brushing lightly over the fur rug in front of the fireplace.

"I'm sorry to hear that. Is there anything I can do?"

"Well, we came here to ask if you knew anything of her whereabouts. Any information you have would be helpful," the otter replied. The other male hadn't said a word yet. He was nervously shuffling his feet behind his partner.

The smirk spread as Frosty turned, finally addressing the otters directly. "I know exactly where Luna is, actually. I could probably show you, if you'd like."

Both males seemed to light up at this revelation. The quieter of the two stepped forward suddenly, looking as if he was going to hug the cheetah with excitement. His tail wagged back and forth quickly as he gazed into Frosty's eyes.

"Please, tell us everything you know, cat. Luna is very important to us," the male said excitedly.

Frosty chuckled, patting the rug next to him. "Come closer, both of you. There's no need to be so formal."

The two males seemed hesitant at first, but eventually they accepted the feline's invitation. Frosty reached over when the more timid of the two males was within range, pulling him into a firm hug. The otter let out a startle shriek, making the other freeze where he was standing. The male eyed the cheetah, ready to turn and run if the cat tried anything. The trapped otter wiggled in the cheetah's grasp, but the feline had his arms firmly pinned to his sides. He attempted to tug his arms loose, but a firm squeeze prevented him from doing so.

"Just relax, hun, it's only a hug," Frosty said with a soft chuckle.

The other male stood his ground, wondering what the feline was up to. He wasn't sure if he should attempt to rescue his comrade or not, knowing what the cheetah was capable of from Eid's accounts. While it wasn't an honorable thing to do, he was tempted to turn and run, and let his friend fend for himself. He briefly glanced over his shoulder, checking how close the door was. His ears perked when he heard another shriek, accompanied by the shuffling of the fur rug slipping over the floor.

The otter turned his attention back to Frosty in time to see a spotted blur leaping at him. A moment later he was flat on his back, pinned down beneath the tauric frame of the cheetah's body. He nearly passed out from the impact, his vision blurring. The feline settled comfortably on top of the otter, the male's head nestled between his forelimbs. The rest of the otter's body was hidden beneath the cheetah's spotted frame.

"Now, then; I promised I'd tell you about Luna's whereabouts," Frosty chuckled.

The uncooperative otter in Frosty's arms futilely attempted to pry himself loose, but eventually gave up. "W-where is she?"

Frosty leaned his head down, nuzzling the otter between the ears. "She's right where she belongs, just like the rest of you little guys. I'm feeling generous, so I'll let you two join her."

The small lutrine in Frosty's arms chirped when he was hefted up. Frosty didn't waste any time in stuffing the small male into his jaws, wedging the male's head between his lips. While he'd previously taken his time with meals, tonight he was feeling quite predatory. He maintained a firm grip on the otter's midsection as the otter's head slid into his throat, gulping immediately. The otter thrashed about, his thick tail lashing back and forth through the air.

Frosty hunched down over his meal, feeling the other lutrine trying to pull himself out from beneath the cheetah's body. With the cat's body heavily weighing down on him, however, the task was nearly impossible. He could do little to assist his friend, watching helplessly as the lutrine's shoulders disappeared into the cat's ravenous maw. Strings of slick drool leaked from the corners of Frosty's lips, occasionally dripping down and landing on the trapped otter's forehead.

The lutrine in Frosty's jaws wiggled, kicking his legs against the cheetah's body as his shoulders were squeezed down into the slick throat. Frosty growled, squeezing his arms around the otter's thighs to keep his legs under control. The front of his torso lifted slightly when he gulped, giving the other lutrine the space he needed to wiggle free. He pushed firmly against the cheetah's body, nearly getting kicked in the face by his flailing companion in the process.

The male immediately reached up to aid his friend, grabbing the otter's ankles and giving a firm tug. Frosty growled around his catch, his paws firmly clutching his meal's hips to prevent the otter from tugging him free. Another deep swallow pulled the otter's waist into his maw, leaving only the otter's hips and legs hanging from his jaws. Frosty pulled his head back, trying to free the otter's ankles so he could continue his meal unhindered.

The otter nearly lost his grip on his friend's ankles, but he managed to hold on. He planted his feet firmly into the rug, pulling as hard as he could. The determination of the cheetah's hunger was stronger, however. Frosty leaned forward to follow the otter's tugging motions, nearly toppling him onto his rump in the process. He took advantage of the momentary confusion to slurp over his meal's thighs, coaxing the bulges of the otter's body deeper into his throat.

"Let him go!" the otter pleaded, giving another firm tug.

Frosty shook his head at the lutrine's appeal, pushing his jaws down over the otter's legs. The otter was still squirming lightly in his throat, but the slick muscles had him firmly pinned in place. Determined to finish his meal, Frosty lunged down over the lutrine's calves with a wet slurp. His lips met the other's fingers, halting his process for a moment. The cheetah idly debated what to do as he nibbled around the otter's ankles, his paws brushing over the other male's arms.

As his tongue flicked over his meal's ankles, he was reminded of those bracelets that he'd been collecting. Peeking down at the paws protruding from his lips, he realized that his meal didn't seem to be wearing one of the glowing charms. If it was on his wrist, it was too late for Frosty to do anything about it. Frosty shrugged mentally, deciding he would collect one from the other male, if he had any.

The otter gazed up into the cheetah's eyes, his expression begging the cat to release his friend. The gaze that the cat returned was an unsettling grin. Frosty's paws wrapped tightly around the male's wrists, giving a firm tug as he swallowed again. The otter chirped noisily as his paws followed his friend's feet into the cheetah's muzzle, the cat's rough tongue slurping over his wrists. He tried to pull himself free, releasing his friend's feet, but the cat's grip on his arms was firm. He quickly realized that if he didn't break loose, he'd be doomed to the same fate as the other lutrine.

With the first otter's body released, a deep swallow pushed him down into the cheetah's body. He slid wetly into the feline's tauric stomach, filling out that softly padded belly. The cheetah sprawled out as he pushed the other male's paws into his throat, gulping firmly to guide them in. The otter tugged and twists, but his attempts weren't any more successful than Frosty's first victim.

"Please, don't do this," the otter protested. "Our tribe can't afford the losses. We're already shorthanded as it is!"

The pleas fell on deaf ears as Frosty closed his eyes, focused on enjoying his meal in progress, as well as the pleasant wiggling in his gut. Several deep gulps quickly tugged the otter deeper, his arms steadily sliding down that slick, rippling passage. Within seconds the otter found himself staring right into the cheetah's gaping pink maw, strings of drool dripping over his shoulders and face. A noisy growl escaped the feline's throat as his paws gripped the otter's waist, stuffing his head inward.

Frosty wasted no time coaxing the otter's body into his throat, gulping possessively around him. He tipped his head back and hefted in otter into the air, straightening his upper body out. The otter began to slide down almost effortlessly, the downward pull of gravity sending the lutrine rapidly inward. Frosty's paws balanced the male's body as he gulped, quickly passing the otter's waist. The otter's tail flicked quickly through the air, but a deep gulp pinned it between the meals' legs. The cheetah rested his paws against the male's rump, pushing it past his jaws with a heavy swallow.

It was at that moment when Frosty noticed the glistening charm resting at the base of the otter's tapered tail. How it remained in place with all that struggling was a mystery. Still, he didn't want to pass up the opportunity to snatch it. His paw gripped the band and gave a tug, finding that it slipped away effortlessly. He snuck it over his wrist, joining the other bands that he'd collected thus far. It glowed serenely as it bumped against the others, clacking softly.

The otter continued to attempt to tug himself free of the cat's maw, despite a mental reminder that the trinket was designed to protect him, should anything happen. With position of his body, however, the only progress he made was deeper into the predator's gullet. It wasn't long before the cheetah was slipped down over his thighs, introducing more of his slender frame to the feline's fleshy interior. Wet slurps and lewd squishing pushed him through the darkness, accompanied by the sounds of the cheetah's breathing and heartbeat.

Frosty slid the otter's webbed feet past his jaws, licking over them in parting before tipping his head up again. A deeply rippling gulp sent the otter on his way, slipping smoothly inward to join his companion in the heated confines of his gut. Frosty rolled onto his side, sighing heavily as he rubbed his paws over his bloated stomach. He could feel the two otters squirming and pushing against the inside of his belly, desperate to escape. Much like the others he'd swallowed, however, had had no intention of letting them free.

Frosty took a moment to admire the obscene bulge that was deforming his belly, somewhat surprised that he had managed to squeeze both males in. He gave his stomach a playful squeeze, causing the otters to wiggle energetically in response. A blissful croon escaped Frosty's lips, enjoying the motions of his gut. He felt his stomach gurgle from the struggles, a pocket of air forming. It escaped a moment later as a deep belch, shaking the cat's gut and tightening it around his meals. This left the otters with almost no "wiggle room," pressing them snugly together.

The cheetah stretched, enjoying the unusually full sensation as he yawned. It was getting late, and the warmth from the glowing fire was encouraging him to rest. His belly let out a soft gurgle as the two lutrines finally calmed, embracing once another as the sated predator fell asleep. They whimpered in the darkness as they felt themselves slipping away, forced into submission by the cat's efficient digestive system. It wasn't long before they faded into unconsciousness, the tingling juices soaking over them as digestion set in...

* * * * * * * * * *

Eid circled the small cabin slowly in the early morning light, peeking in the windows until he spotted the white feline. The cat was sprawled out in front of the fireplace, sleeping peacefully. It was the perfect opportunity for him to sneak in and recover the trinkets the cat was wearing. While he hadn't been explicitly sent by the shaman to carry out this task, he knew that it was necessary. The tribe was dangerously low in numbers, and was facing relocation as a result.

Instead of using the front door, he carefully checked the windows until he found one that he could open. He had a clear view of the feline, keeping a close eye on the cat as he carefully pried the window up. Eid paused when the cheetah's ears flicked in his direction, hoping he hadn't disturbed the cat's slumber. Several seconds passed as he watched and waited, but he was fortunate that the feline didn't stir.

The otter resumed his careful task, holding his breath when the window creaked in the frame. The cat's ears flicked again, but as before, the cheetah didn't awaken. Eid suspected that the cat was sleeping off a large meal, especially judging by the size of his distended gut. It would certainly explain why the cat wasn't stirring from his deep sleep. Eid eventually managed to push the window open wide enough to squeeze himself through.

The otter fell with a soft thump, crouched low to the floor to muffle his landing. The cheetah seemed undisturbed by his action for the moment. Eid stood up and carefully slid the window shut after a cold draft blew across his body. He crept over to the living room, pausing at the edge of the fur rug that the napping cheetah was stretched out on. Warmth radiated from the gas fireplace, illuminating the cabin with dim firelight.

Eid frowned when his eyes fell upon the cheetah's limbs. One of the trinkets was resting loosely around the cheetah's forelimb, but the rest were looped comfortably over the cat's wrists. To make matters worse, the cat had his paws tucked beneath his head. Secretly removing them without awakening the feline would prove to be difficult, if not impossible. His eyes trailed over the cat's body, checking for any other trinkets that he hadn't yet noticed. It worried him that he didn't find more, and he hoped that the cat simply had them stashed somewhere.

The otter's gaze paused on the cat's rounded gut, watching it slowly rise and fall with each breath. It was clear that the cheetah had been eating well, something that he'd personally been present for on a few occasions. While he felt sympathy for his comrades that had fallen victim to the cheetah's hunger, he also entertained a bit of guilty pleasure in feeling the struggling bodies through the cat's flesh. Eid was momentarily distracted by a soft gurgle from the cheetah's gut, tempting him to reach down and knead over it.

Eid shook the thought from his mind, returning to the task at hand. He needed to recover the trinkets from the cat and return to the village. He gazed back to the cat's arms, debating the best approach to removing them from the cheetah's wrists without disturbing the feline. Another muffled gurgle snapped his focus, though, drawing his attention back to the cheetah's gut. He fidgeted nervously, having a moment of indecision as he pondered. Certainly a little feel wouldn't hurt. His successful break-in proved that it was difficult to rouse the cat from his nap.

The otter reached down hesitantly, gently touching a paw to the cat's bloated midsection. The soft pelt gave easily beneath his paw, indicating a healthy layer of fat on the cheetah's body. Indeed, the cat had been eating quite well. Eid chuckled softly, letting his other paw join the first. He pressed lightly, curious to see just how much of the soft padding was fat, and how much was recent meals. The belly gurgled noisily in protest to the pressure, the cat's stomach conforming to Eid's paws.

Quite distracted from his task at hand, Eid began to softly knead along the cheetah's belly, feeling the soft paunch that the cat had acquired since they first met. A soft rumble greeted the otter's ears as the feline began to purr, seeming to subconsciously enjoy the attention. This only encouraged the lutrine, his tail wagging as he pushed his paws in small circles over the cat's belly. He was quickly becoming so engrossed in the task that he was oblivious to the slow stretching of the cheetah's limbs.

A deep yawn escaped the cheetah's muzzle, his purring growing louder as he slowly awakened. He wasn't sure what had stirred him from an especially erotic dream, but he was somewhat annoyed that it had been interrupted. He eventually opened his eyes, his vision coming into focus. He stretched again, realizing that something was pushing against his stomach. He lifted his head, his eyes falling upon a familiar otter that was eagerly pushing and massaging over his soft belly.

Frosty cleared his throat deliberately, sending the otter stumbling backwards with a startled chirp. Eid fell onto his rump on the fur rug, scrambling immediately to get back on his feet. He looked quite flustered that he'd been caught, breathing rapidly with shock. The spotted cat chuckled, rising slowly to his feet as he stretched his muscles.

"Well, good morning, Eid. I didn't expect to find you pawing at me when I woke up," he smirked.

The otter fidgeted nervously, his tail tucked down. "I apologize. I didn't mean to wake you."

Frosty laughed, shaking his head. "Nothing to be concerned about. It's nice to see a friendly face when I wake up in the morning."

The otter fumbled his paws in his lap, debating whether he should return to the village, or remain in the cheetah's presence. "I hope you rested well."

The cheetah nodded, purring quietly as he yawned. "I did, thank you. I must admit, though, you awakened me from a very nice dream."

"I apologize. I meant to let you sleep."

A soft chuckle escaped Frosty's muzzle as he stretched again, moving toward Eid. "It's nothing to trouble yourself over. I do have something to request of you, though."

"Of course," Eid responded, gazing up at the cheetah as he was approached. "What can I do for you?"

"That dream has left me feeling a bit playful. I was hoping you could help me with that," he said softly, smirking to the otter as his arms looped around Eid.

The lutrine blushed, realizing what was on the cheetah's mind. His tail flicked slowly as his body settled in against the cheetah's slender frame, feeling the unusual warmth radiating from the feline.

"H-how would you like me to help?" he asked nervously.

"Well, you seem to be quiet good with your hands. Why don't you start there, and I'll give you some ideas as we go?"

Eid nodded gently, slipping out of the cheetah's arms as Frosty stretched. When the cat rolled to the side, a proud pink erection came into view, begging to be touched. As tempted as he was to ignore it and knead the cheetah's soft belly, he knew what the feline wanted. He gently touched his paws to the inside of the cheetah's thighs, massaging gently. His fingers brushed teasingly along the edge of the feline's sac, making the cheetah twitch and shiver. Rubbing firmly back and forth, he slowly worked his way upward with each pass.

Frosty's hips began to gently roll toward the otter as Eid's paws rubbed teasingly close to his erect shaft. A bead of slick pre had gathered at the tip, threatening to drip at any moment. The lutrine's fingers lifted away from the cat's belly and teased over the pink flesh, smearing that bead of slickness over it. A gasp of pleasure escaped Frosty's lips, his hips thrusting toward the otter. The otter's fingers curled around the pink spire, beginning to softly caress over the slickened flesh. His other paw softly rubbed over the cheetah's belly, his fingers trailing through the soft fur.

The feline's hips slowly rolled back and forth as the webbed fingers slid over the erect length, drawing another bead of clear fluid from the tip. His length pulsed firmly when Eid squeezed, drawing another soft groan from the cheetah. The otter chuckled, lowering a paw away from the cheetah's belly to lightly fondle his musky sac. Eid began to rhythmically stroke his paw back and forth over the feline's member, his other paw rolling the cat's orbs lightly through his fingers.

"Mmh, I-I think that's enough of that," Frosty groaned, hips rocking to match the rhythm of Eid's caresses. "That feels really nice, but that was just warmup."

"What would you like me to do instead?" Eid asked curiously, his fingers brushing softly over the cheetah's erect flesh to keep the feline entertained.

Frosty grinned as he peered down at the attentive lutrine, his tail sweeping slowly back and forth over the rug. "I want you to get comfy for me. Just stretch out on your belly, and I'll take care of the rest."

A heated flush spread over Eid's face when he realized what the cheetah was getting at. He didn't protest, however. He sat up as the cheetah rolled onto his belly, the large cat rising up to give Eid room to relax. The pink shaft hung proudly between the cat's legs, the tip dripping with excitement. The otter reached over to fondle the cat as he slid to the center of the soft rug, settling down into the warm fur with his arms tucked beneath his cheek. His tail draped downward over his legs, the tip flicking lightly with anticipation.

An approving growl rose from the cheetah's throat as he turned and stepped over the lutrine. He slid forward until his forepaws were resting on either side of Eid's shoulders, crouching down until his belly pressed against the male's lower back and thick tail. Frosty shivered when he felt his erect length pressing against that sleek fur, grinding softly. He smeared a trail of wetness over Eid's fur, leaving it glistening in the firelight. He rubbed his length insistently against the otter's tail, subtly hinting that it was in the way of his intended destination. Eid wiggled his hips teasingly at the cat, drawing a soft growl from the cheetah's throat. He giggled at the reaction before his tail curled upward. His thick, rudder-like appendage briefly teased over the cat's shaft before it continued upward, eventually pressed against the otter's back.

Frosty was careful not to weigh down on the thick tail as he adjusted himself, silently cursing that he wasn't able to hug it while mating with the otter. His lower body made that impossible. With a bit of strategic wiggling, the tip of the cat's dripping length found its way to the target. He smeared a bead of precum over the otter's warm entrance, ensuring that his initial penetration would be enjoyable.

"I hope you're ready for this," Frosty warned, nudging the slickened tip of his shaft against the otter's rump.

The only reply that Frosty received was a playful wiggle of the otter's hips. He chuckled softly, pushing his hips forward, though not enough to penetrate. The tip pushed against the slickened entrance, a shiver of anticipation rushing through the lutrine's body. Eid nudged his hips back, giving the extra push needed to coax that tapered tip inside. A mutual groan of pleasure escaped the pair as the pulsing length gently slid in, a thick spurt of pre helping the feline's length inside.

Frosty paused halfway, giving the otter a moment to adjust to his thick girth. The tightness around his shaft was bordering on painful, something that the cheetah was used to with smaller partners. With a little gentle coaxing, he would have the otter relaxed enough in no time. He gently rocked his hips back and forth, working an inch of his shaft in slow repetitions. The soft grinding drew pleasured croons from the lutrine, his fingers clutching the soft rug.

The otter's body was reluctant to relax, firmly gripping the feline's length as it slid. Frosty slowly eased himself deeper, his paws squeezing the otter's shoulders to prevent him from sliding forward. He had to focus to maintain his composure, the tightness tempting him to ram his hips forward and bury his shaft to the base. His length pulsed each time he slid deeper, coating the otter's bowels with warm lubrication.

Eid groaned, a firm thrust nestling the remainder of the cat's shaft into his bowels. The cat's body was resting comfortably against his rump, the thick shaft tucked deep inside of his body. He could feel every pulse of the feline's length, his insides stretched around the cat's shaft. The sensation was almost uncomfortable, but his body was quickly adjusting to the intrusion.

The cheetah's hips slowly withdrew, pulling the thick length back with a smooth motion. He paused when the tip was about to slip free, holding himself still for a moment before easing his length back inside. The slow, smooth motion was almost tormenting to the cheetah. He was so riled up at this point that he wanted nothing more than to pin the otter and pound him senseless. He knew better, though. As much as he wanted to just get himself off in the otter's rear, he made a conscious effort to ensure that Eid was enjoying himself.

A shiver of pleasure rippled through Eid's body when he felt his own length pushing against the inside of his loincloth. The softened leather caressed over his firming shaft when the cheetah squeezed inside, making the otter squirm with excitement. He ground his hips downward when Frosty pushed into his rump, deliberately working his length against the softness of the loincloth. It began to bunch up, however, introducing the otter's member to the fur rug instead. An excited groan escaped Eid's lips when a gentle thrust pushed his length completely into the fur.

Feeling the otter's body finally relaxing, Frosty began to work his pace up from the slow, intimate rocking. His body burned with pent up desire as he squeezed his member into Eid's bowels, his paws squeezing the lutrine's shoulders possessively. A firm squeeze around his shaft prompted him to thrust firmly into the otter, causing Eid to gasp. The male shivered at the rush of pleasure that flooded his body, overwhelming his senses for a moment. Another firm thrust gave a similar effect, the otter becoming lost in the moment. He eventually surrendered himself to the cheetah, allowing the cat's passionate thrusting to push him into the soft rug.

The smell of sex was growing thick in the air, mirroring the passion that the two males were experiencing. The cat's thrusts were becoming needier with each motion, the pace growing steadily more intense. Slick pre leaked almost continuously from the pulsing length, allowing the cat's shaft to glide smoothly. Lewd slurps began to accompany the cat's rocking, adding to the groans of pleasure shared between the two males.

Eid's body tensed as he felt a familiar sensation spreading through his loins. The cat's steady thrusting was pushing him quickly toward his peak, aided by the irresistible caress of the soft rug, which was quickly becoming matted with the otter's dripping fluids. He tried to resist the urge to let himself go, but the firm thrusts made that nearly impossible.

The growing tension around his throbbing length made Frosty grin, his forepaws squeezing over Eid's shoulders again. He crooned happily to the otter, beginning to pant as his hips bounced back and forth. He knew the male was close to his peak, his firm thrusts building in intensity.

"Don't hold yourself back," Frosty purred, feeling the otter squirming beneath him. "Let it out."

Soft moans turned into heavy groaning and squeals of pleasure as the cheetah's pace accelerated, his hips moving in a steady blur. He was practically pounding into the otter's body now, his length throbbing as he worked himself up. As much as he wanted this special moment to last, Frosty knew that they were both quickly nearing their peak.

Eid was the first to release, his body giving in to the pleasure of the matted fur against his shaft. His bowels clenched tightly around the cheetah's length as his shaft flared, spilling ropes of hot seed onto the rug. His breaths came in rapid, shallow panting, paired with whimpers of ecstasy as the rough mating continued to push his member into the rug. The otter's shaft was smeared with his own seed, as well as the inside of his thighs.

The sudden clench from the otter's peak encouraged Frosty's rough thrusts, driving the full length of his shaft inside and making short, rapid thrusts into the lutrine's bowels. He drew himself quickly to his peak in an explosion of passion, clutching Eid's body tightly between his forepaws. His shaft throbbed, bursting with heated seed deep in the otter's bowels. The quick thrusts continued for several seconds as Frosty released his warm load, keeping the passion intense for both males.

The otter shivered as he felt that pleasant warmth spreading through his depths, the cat's motions beginning to slow, eventually stopping entirely. Everything fell silent, with exception to the soft hiss of the gas fireplace, as Frosty embraced the otter against his body. His paws gently kneaded over the otter's frame as the last of his warm seed dribbled from his shaft. A soft purr rumbled in the feline's chest as he came down from his peak, enjoying the warmth of the lutrine's body against his own.

A heavy sigh escaped the otter's muzzle as he stretched out beneath the feline, feeling blissfully spent. His tail idly flicked, rubbing over the feline's chest. Frosty twitched as the tail tickled at his body, overly sensitive from the recent climax. He slowly tugged his hips back, his spent length slipping free of the otter's bowels with a wet slurp. The motion sent a shiver of pleasure up the otter's back, making him wiggle on the rug.

Frosty rolled to the side once he was free of the otter's bowels, sprawling out next to Eid. The otter immediately scrambled up to meet him, cuddling into the cheetah's arms. Frosty chuckled softly at the eagerness, embracing Eid fondly and nuzzling him between the ears. The otter's naturally fishy aroma was now tainted with the smell of passion, as well as that of the feline's semen. This created an unusually alluring blend of scents that tickled the cat's senses.

"You're something special, Eid. You've been so diligent in serving me," Frosty purred.

The otter beamed at the cat's praise, wiggling in his arms. He was too spent at the moment to return the cheetah's compliment with little more than a smile and a nod, however.

"I'm not quite finished with you yet, though. I have one more special request before I take my leave."

Eid's ears perked at this. "Y-you're leaving?"

The cheetah nodded lightly. "I am. I think my task here has been sufficiently fulfilled. Your tribe has served my purpose well."

"Well, I'd be honored to serve you before you depart. What is your request?"

Frosty licked softly at Eid's ears, drawing a shivering squeak from the otter. "Just close your eyes and relax. You'll find out the rest soon enough."

Eid glanced up briefly at the cheetah, his gaze meeting the cheetah's blue eyes. The cat had a playful smirk on his lips as his paws kneaded gently over the otter's back. While the request was an unusual one, the otter complied with it without question. He closed his eyes gently, letting himself settle comfortably into the cheetah's warm embrace. His mind was still hazy from afterglow, concealing the fact that he might be in any sort of danger.

The cheetah lightly nuzzled along the otter's ears, drawing his tongue slowly over each one in turn. The motion made Eid squirm, but he remained obediently calm. Satisfied with the otter's complacency, Frosty licked slowly along the top of the lutrine's muzzle. His rough tongue left a long trail of glistening drool that stretched up to the otter's ears as he licked. Rumbling pleasantly at the taste, Frosty determined it was time to reveal his intentions to the otter.

Warm jaws parted over the otter's head, releasing a heated breath over Eid's ears. A paw reached down to gently tip his muzzle upward, the cheetah's head ducking toward it. Strands of slick drool dripped over the otter's face as he was coaxed into the cat's gaping maw. Eid could feel the warm slickness easing over his head, but his senses didn't register the source immediately. His mind was wandering, reliving moments of the sexual experience.

A soft murr graced the lutrine's ears as Frosty gently nudged his jaws lower, his tongue cradling Eid's chin. He paused when the otter's muzzle poked into the entrance to his slick throat, his lips kissing the top of the otter's shoulders. He was content with how calm Eid still was, and in the back of his mind he couldn't help but wonder if the lutrine secretly enjoyed it. He didn't dwell on the thought very long, focusing on his soon-to-be meal.

Eid's awareness was given a gentle nudge back to reality when he felt a soft slurp around his muzzle. He didn't fully process it at first, finding the sensation of the slick caress over his face surprisingly pleasant. His tail wagged lightly as he wiggled, stimulating the cheetah's muscles to clench firmly around his muzzle. The gentle caress turned into an abrupt tug, the otter's entire head squeezed down into the cheetah's fleshy embrace.

The sudden motion gave the otter a rather rude awakening in regard to his surroundings. The smell of slick drool was strong, and the steady thrum of the cheetah's heart was distinct in his ears. He realized that his arms were quickly becoming pinned to his sides, making it increasingly difficult to move. Another tug by the rippling flesh, accompanied by a wet slurp alerted Eid fully to his situation. The "special request" that the cheetah had spoken of was a parting meal, and he was the one chosen this time to sate the feline.

Frosty growled at the sudden squirming as the otter attempted to struggle. His jaws were snugly wrapped around the lutrine's chest by now, restricting the otter's ability to use his arms. He reached down to grip Eid's wrists firmly, keeping the male in check as he swallowed again. The otter's shoulders were wedged into his throat with little difficulty, spreading the slick flesh over them.

Despite the inherent danger of the situation, a spark of guilty pleasure ignited in Eid's mind. He had witnessed several of his comrades being taken much in the same way. He had experienced feeling the bulges of other lutrines disappearing into the cheetah's spotted frame, but this time it was his body making those bulges. His struggles calmed somewhat as he dwelled on the thought, becoming more aware of the sensation of slick flesh kneading over his torso. It felt surprisingly pleasant, despite the nagging knowledge of where that slick passage ended.

A grin crept over the cat's muzzle as he felt the otter relax again, loosening his grip on Eid's wrists. He lowered his fingers to the male's hips, squeezing gently and giving a push. The otter's hips wiggled at the touch, a rippling gulp tucking more of the lutrine's torso into the feline's gullet. Frosty's jaws were creeping down over the otter's soft belly now, the cat's rough tongue pushing against the pliable midsection.

As more of his body was introduced to the feline's insides, Eid's complacency seemed to grow stronger. He'd seen how gentle the cat was with previous meals, and knew that the cheetah would extend him the same. He offhandedly wished that there would be another otter present to knead over the cheetah's body as he was sliding deeper. He was curious to see how it felt being on the other side of things for once. His musing was distracted when his hips were introduced to the cat's jaws, the feline's uniquely rough tongue greeting his lap.

Frosty perked up when he tasted the muskiness of the otter's sheath on his tongue. He pushed against it, rolling it back and forth over his tongue to lick every inch of it. The motion made his meal squirm and whine, the fuzzy package swelling from the attention. Frosty squeezed his paws firmly around Eid's thighs to halt the otter's progress, taking his time to explore. His attentive licks were drawing a fresh burst of arousal from the otter, the male's member poking free of his sheath.

Eid's toes curled as he whimpered, grinding his hips as the feline's tongue lapped back and forth over his erecting length. The cat's throat was squeezing determinedly over his body, but the firm grip at his thighs prevented him to slipping deeper. The tugging of the cat's throat, combined with the direct attention to his firming shaft, was sending Eid to a fit of pleasured squirming. His webbed toes curled tightly, his tail wagging just beyond the feline's jaws. Any anxiety that he'd previously had about being the cheetah's meal was forgotten.

Even though he enjoyed how the otter was reacting to his teasing licks, Frosty's belly was eager for another passenger. It growled audibly, calling out to the lutrine. The cheetah reluctantly relaxed his grip on the otter's thighs, letting a firm swallow guide that erect length into the clutches of his gullet. With Eid's hips slipping back into his throat, the difficult portions of the meal were taken care of. He tipped his head back, supporting Eid's legs as he lifted them upward, straightening the otter out to make the remainder of his meal more manageable.

Despite the absence of the cat's tongue, the stimulation over the otter's erection continued. The slick flesh lining the cat's throat kneaded and pulled at his length, keeping Eid on edge. He rocked his hips as much as the squeezing flesh would allow, pushing his shaft into the rippling passage. While it wasn't enough to bring him to orgasm reasonably quick, it kept him sufficiently distracted from the fact that he was about to become little more than cat food.

Frosty gulped steadily, the otter's legs smoothly disappearing into his slick throat, as well as the root of that thick, tapered tail. His fingers kneaded slowly lower as more of the lutrine disappeared, enjoying the feel of those wiggling bulges pushing deeper into his frame. He gently clutched the otter's feet when they were within reach, guiding them toward his drooling jaws. The soft push against Eid's feet make the otter squirm gently, curling his toes against the cheetah's palms.

A soft push admitted the otter's feet into the softness of the cheetah's maw. He closed his lips over them and suckled happily, letting his rough tongue tease the otter's feet. He paused when he felt something unusual bump against his slick gullet. It didn't feel like what he would expect from the otter's ankles. His tongue tucked back, bushing over it briefly to determine what was out of place. He felt something smooth around the otter's ankle, and realized immediately that he hadn't frisked the otter for trinkets before devouring him.

Frosty attempted to sneak his tongue beneath the trinket, but it was too far back at this point. He relaxed his jaws to reach in, but when he did, a ripple of motion pulled the otter's feet away. The trinket disappeared with the rest of his meal, still snugly resting around Eid's ankle. Another tug pushed the otter's feet deeper into the cat's gullet, leaving him with no choice but to finish his meal. Eid was still too distracted with the attention to his erection to notice that the cheetah hadn't removed his trinket. He was quickly nearing his second peak, his body shivering with excitement from the full body massage he was receiving.

A rhythm of gentle gulps kneaded the otter toward his gut, easing the lutrine headfirst into the damp pouch. The persistent flesh squeezed Eid deeper into the cheetah's spacious belly, forcing him to curl into a fetal position. With a few more gentle swallows, the deed was done. Frosty sighed heavily, feeling thoroughly spent now. Between the sexual romp and a filling meal, his energy was drained. He licked his lips, flicking away any lingering traces of otter and sex as his stomach settled with the weight of the small lutrine.

Inside of his belly, the otter was determined to finish, regardless of his current surroundings. The otter groped between his legs with a paw, gripping his slickened shaft firmly and stroking over it. He was close to his peak, his body trembling with heated excitement. The caress of the cat's belly around his body only fueled his desire, his paw stroking furiously over his length.

Frosty settled down on his side carefully, feeling the otter twitching and squirming around in his belly. The rhythmic motion in one spot gave him a good idea of what the lutrine was up to. He caressed over the shifting bulge of the otter's body, the curled lutrine mostly concealed beneath the healthy layer of softness that he'd garnered as a result of his gluttony. The repetitive motion was stirring up his gut, though, causing him to release a deep belch that left Eid with little fresh air. The fleshy walls squeezed tightly around the otter, conforming closer to his body. This didn't hinder his attempt to get himself off, however.

The otter's paw moved rapidly over his length, his hips grinding against it to bring himself to climax. He let out a squeal of pleasure as he burst, covering his belly in warm seed. His pawing motions slowed to draw out his peak, panting heavily into the stagnant air. He sighed heatedly into the darkness, riding out the bliss of a second orgasm in the cat's belly. He crooned happily when he felt the cat's paws kneading over his frame, wiggling with a soft chirp. He tried to stretch, testing how elastic the cheetah's gut was, but a muscular squeeze forced him back into the fetal position.

As he was tucked against himself, he felt something brush against his leg that made him suddenly freeze. His heart missed a beat as he slowly reached down, fumbling in the heated darkness to paw at his ankle. He found a small trinket comfortably nestled around his ankle, glowing gently in the darkness. The cat had neglected to remove the trinket before swallowing him.

A wave of panic rushed through the otter's mind as he suddenly realized the danger he was in. He was certain that his trinket wouldn't survive the cat's digestive system. Despite how durable it was, it was unlikely that it would pass through the cat entirely intact. He immediately twisted himself around, his paws groping around in the darkness as he tried to find a way out. He pushed his fingers anywhere he could reach, his digits slipping wetly over the interior of the cat's belly, drawing a satisfied groan from the cheetah.

Frosty pushed his paws over his squirming gut, knowing that the otter would tire out soon enough. His sexual exhaustion would catch up with him, and combined with the stale air in the cheetah's gut, it wouldn't be long before the otter would slip away like the rest. This didn't seem to deter Eid, who was frantically seeking escape. The cat's paws pushing over his body weren't comforting to him. What had previously been a decidedly erotic, sensual experience was now a depraved spectacle for the cheetah's enjoyment.

"Just relax, Eid. You'll be joining your friends soon enough," Frosty purred.

The cheetah's words were muffled, but Eid could understand them well enough. The cat's voice seemed calming, and oddly soothing to his ears. In reality, his body was beginning to give out, and he lacked the physical strength to continue fighting.

"It's his will," Eid silently reminded himself. "Maybe the cat intended for this to happen."

"I must confess, I'm not the savior that your tribe assumed I was," Frosty purred, rubbing a paw back and forth over his belly. "I'm not a deity, or a messenger, or anyone of the sort. I'm just a regular cat. I might have to come back in the future, though. Your tribe has...urp...done well to ensure that my belly stays full."

Eid's self-assurances collapsed on the spot. Even in the heat of the cheetah's belly, his blood slowly began to run cold as the words sank in, his faith curdling into feelings of sickening betrayal. Everything they'd sacrificed had been in vain, or had even encouraged the cat to take advantage of the otters and deliberately deceive them.

"Please, show mercy," Eid started to plead, hoping the cat could hear him. "Our tribe...we can't defend ourselves with so many gone...they have to be brought back to the elder...!" But there was no response, not even a laugh or a purr. Frosty couldn't hear him, or chose not to.

Eid wanted to warn the others. There was nothing he could do about it, however. He was trapped in the cheetah's gut, dangerously close to passing out. His only option was to accept his fate. He reached down, slipping his trinket free of his ankle to clutch it tightly in his fingers. He held it against his chest, curling up in a tight ball around the glowing charm as he felt himself slipping away. The cat's belly gurgled around him as his eyes closed, letting himself fade into unconsciousness...

* * * * * * * * * *

"How can we be sure that this has been taken care of?" the burly canine asked quietly.

Frosty smirked, stretching out gently on the soft booth. "They won't stick around. Their numbers are too small, compared to when I showed up. They'll likely leave the area in search of another group, until their population has recovered. I doubt they'll ever return, though, knowing that there's a dangerous predator in the area."

It had taken Frosty a good deal of explaining, and a fair amount of smooth talk to convince the canine that he'd actually taken care of the problem so soon. He hadn't divulged his method of eliminating the otters, though he had strongly hinted at it once or twice.

"I must say, I'm impressed that you handled the job this quickly. Are you sure you're not available for another?" the large canine asked, sipping casually on a mug of coffee.

Frosty chuckled, tapping his fingers rhythmically against the small pile of trinkets that he'd laid on the table. "No, I think this one is enough for now. Let me know if you ever have problems with otters in the future, though. I'm sure we could work something out."

The dog nodded, glancing to the side as a group of patrons passed their table. He waited until they were out of earshot before he resumed the conversation. "Now then, I know you're looking for the bounty you were promised. You'll receive a package first thing in the morning. Don't miss it, because you'll only get one chance."

Frosty nodded, his tail flicking as he leaned forward against the table. "And we're clear on the amount, yes?"

The canine sighed, but reluctantly nodded. "Yes. You'll receive the bounty that was agreed on last time we met. You'd better not be lying about this. I can promise you will regret it."

A smug grin spread over Frosty's lips, knowing that he hadn't embellished the truth. "This is where we part ways, then. Do you want these?" he asked, gesturing to the trinkets.

The dog shook his head. "No, you can keep 'em. I've got no use for those."

Frosty nodded, plucking the trinkets from the table and tucking them into his backpack. He slipped a bill from his wallet and dropped it on the table for the coffee, then gestured to the dog as he stood. The canine game him a nod in return, finishing his coffee as Frosty stepped away. The trinkets jingled noisily in his backpack as he made his way out to his car, dropping the pack on his passenger seat. He started the car, yawning as he headed home.

When he arrived at his apartment, he headed straight to his bedroom and flopped down. He sighed deeply, happy to be in his own bed again. While his "vacation" had been an enjoyable one, he was feeling quite spent. The feline idly mused over the bounty that he'd been promised as he stretched out on the blankets. If the dog was true to his word, he would be financially comfortable for quite a while. He would continue working, however, to avoid raising suspicion.

As the cheetah sprawled out on his bed, a familiar sensation nagged at him. He reluctantly rose from his soft bed to make his way to the bathroom. He pulled his backpack off, depositing it in front of the sink carefully to avoid disturbing the trinkets inside. He lifted the lid and maneuvered his tauric body into position over his unusual toilet, which had been specially designed to accommodate species that shared his tauric shape. Even that small, familiar comfort filled him with relief to be back among civilization, as little as he'd realized how he missed it. He sighed quietly as he allowed his body to relax naturally, pushing the remains of his last lutrine meal free.

Distracting himself from his business, Frosty reached to his backpack. He tugged the zipper open and fished out one of his trinkets, holding it gently as if it were made of thin crystal. Frosty was surprised to find that the trinket was cold, a stark contrast to the warmth that seemed to radiate from them previously. Curious, he leaned forward to switch off the lights, casting the bathroom into darkness. He clutched a trinket close to his face, but only saw the dim outline of the cold band. The engravings on the surface no longer cast the gentle blue glow that Frosty had grown accustomed to. Investigating the other trinkets yielded similar findings.

"Huh, that's strange," Frosty muttered.

The feline carefully groped around in the darkness until he found the light switch again, squinting when he was briefly blinded. He focused once more on eliminating the otter's remains, the remainder dropping into the toilet with a soft push. Wiping his fur clean, he rose from the toilet and turned to flush. He gazed briefly at the brown mass in the water, noticing unusual fragments. Small pieces of bone littered the remains, but what stood out to him were chunks of finely polished stone. Several pieces of it were scattered throughout. Frosty chuckled when he realized that they were the remains of the otter's trinket that he'd inadvertently swallowed.

Frosty flushed the toilet, sending away the last traces of his ottery meals with the noisy hiss of a compressor, followed by a jet of water. He gathered his backpack and returned to the bedroom, fishing all of the trinkets from his backpack. A frown spread over his lips when he felt the cold chill of the stone bands. It seemed to serve as an ominous reminder of his deeds involving the village.

Shrugging, Frosty hung the trinkets over his desk lamp, letting them rattle against one another. He stretched out on his bed, idly rubbing a paw over his rounded gut as he pondered recent events. He yawned heavily, grinning to himself while kneading his belly. While he'd only been hired to thin out the otter population, he was tempted to seek out the otters once more. He'd confessed the truth to Eid, but the village would be oblivious to the cheetah's dark secret. Perhaps he could exploit that in the future. He grinned at the thought as he drifted off to sleep, basking in the success of a job well done...