Rolling over, Sara turned her gaze to the clock on the dresser beside her. 1:15 PM. Great. She’d slept in again, the latest she had all week. Not that she had anywhere to be, she knew. It was a bad habit she had come to acquire over the past few weeks. Something she knew she would have to accept as part of her life now. Still, with her stubborn streak, Sara wanted to at least regain some semblance of her normal life once more. And she was certainly up and about at dusk, or in the early morning. But after 9 am or so…it was a wonder she only slept in that long, still feeling a bit tired but wanting to find something to do with her day. 

Such was difficult to do, given her lack of hands or human speech. The fact that she was largely confined to the basement room of her friend’s house didn’t help things, either. A 700-pound Siberian tiger was not designed to live indoors, let alone for the long haul. But without anywhere to house her in the long term, and her inability to go out as her tiger self, Sara was low on options. The idea that someone who contracted what was becoming known as the novel Zoomorphic virus could turn all the way into an animal, was still relatively new. It was more likely she would be perceived as an escaped zoo animal, one to be considered dangerous or even shot. It was not worth the risk, and Sara thus confined herself to the basement, hoping it would not be a long-term arrangement.

Her friends, now roommates, were amazing for taking the risk and helping her through what by all metrics was an impossibly strange experience. Mike was a software developer and engineer, with a similar set of skills to Sara’s own, and was often home to help her in those early days. Sky was a tailor/leatherworker by commission, cosplaying as a hobby, though such was not in high demand during a pandemic. Taylor was a chef, considered an essential worker, and forced to brave the new world. Though he often returned stained in the essence of his work and smelling alarmingly appetizing, he was eager to put his skills in the kitchen to work for their new guest, something Sara was thankful for. Sure, her financial contribution toward their household was welcome, but hardly the only reason for rescuing her. A fact she was eternally thankful for. 

In those first few weeks, despite being given a place to call her own, Sara found her heart aching for contact. Not only was she enduring physical isolation, but she was without any ability to verbalize her desires. Had there been any other unfortunate souls around to have undergone a full-bodied change, her growls would be interpreted as speech, and she would be able to carry on a conversation. She had no way to contact any individuals, much less find them without leaving her basement. And with everyone dealing with their own turmoils, she was left disheartened and alone. 

Her efforts to interact with her roommates led to some rather embarrassing antics. With the ability to come and go from the basement as she pleased, Sara often found herself upstairs at odd hours, befitting her nocturnal nature. At first, it escaped her realization that encountering a 700-pound tiger showing up by their bedside would be a source of alarm, especially with the way her eyes glowed while reflected from the street lights outside. Having gotten used to her own by now, she had forgotten how poor a human’s night vision was, not able to see her unless they literally tripped over her body. Sara made sure to be careful where she sat at night, though the temptation to bring a blanket to their bedsides and ask for company was certainly present. Not that their beds would be able to support her, but the desire for companionship, in whatever form that might take, was something she sought with great longing.

One other facet to get used to was their other two housemates were not as amenable to her presence. Their two tabby cats, Mickey and Minnie, were not too impressed by the addition of a third, especially one so much larger than they were. Spitting and hissing were the norm whenever Sara entered the room, and naturally, they did not venture into the basement once it had become Sara’s place. But curiosity eventually won out, and Minnie, braver than her brother, came to sniff her one day, something Sara reciprocated in kind. Imagine her roommate’s surprise when they came into the living room one day, finding Sara sleeping on the floor with not one but both tabbies curled up next to her, seeing Sara as a big sister of sorts. They even took turns grooming each other, as fruitless as it was for the tiny cats. It became somewhat of a frequent occurrence, Sara lay out in the middle of the living room, two cats asleep on her back as though they were bonded. 

As depressing as it was, Sara often found herself attuned to the news, hoping for more information on those who had transformed like she had. While the information was sparse at best, it was likely she would be a tiger for the long haul. Nothing in medical science knew what had caused a change in species in some of those infected, much less how to reverse it. With that in mind, Sara was determined to make the best of it, though, for now, found it trying to think of ways to do that within the confines of her friend’s home. Still, it was better than the alternative, even if things looked rather bleak for the moment. 

Info on other victims undergoing changes was starting to come to light as the reported numbers reached the thousands in the US alone. Most victims seemed to sport some animal attributes, as she’d gleaned online, usually within the soft tissues to start. Then anatomical changes like paws, tails, or even muzzles could follow over the course of weeks or months. If the victim was unfortunate enough, they might experience a total transformation like the one Sara had undergone. The strain that had changed her within the span of a week was a rarity, though likely had been spread through her town, given the infection seemed to have impacted the now-Rottweiler in her apartment complex as well. 

The species one changed into was seemingly random as well, though most changes were mammalian in nature. There was no obvious correlation to animals they had been in contact with, nor other vectors that caused specific changes in their own right. In fairness, the sample size was relatively low, but there was a tendency for people to contract animal traits in line with either domesticated species or those within the local fauna. Changes like hers, into a tiger, were practically unheard of. Despite the difficulties of her size and species, Sara found herself glad for her new form. Nothing else she could imagine would be a preferable animal to become, and she was almost thankful it was one of the possibilities. 

For now, all she could do was her best to get used to her new circumstances. Animal senses were a bit overwhelming at first, though Sara soon found herself eager to explore their range and limits. It was initially obvious she could identify anyone she’d met by scent alone. The various odors of her housemates provided a clear map of not only where they were but where they had been, what they had eaten, and a few things that weren’t any of her business but nothing she could avoid. Humans themselves had a particular odor about them, distinguishable from that of other animals they might have encountered on their travels, as brief as those were in the early days of the pandemic. Any errant human smells of their person, particularly in Taylor’s case, were easy to differentiate as well. Sara was certain she would be soon able to pick them out by those odors alone with some practice. And though their encounter had been relatively brief, she was still aware that something had been off about the Rottweiler that had helped her. There had been an air of humanity about her that made Sara wonder if she could identify a victim of the virus over a naturally-born animal.

Her hearing, for better or for worse, was far sharper as well. Having open windows in the basement was a blessing and a curse. Sounds from the outside were a welcome distraction, though oftentimes they were too much for her to handle. She couldn’t identify the words of many of the birds, things that were too far removed from her understanding. Still, words like <Danger> <Mine> <Mad> and <Mate> sometimes passed her ears, as though sounds of other animals yelling. It was a little annoying, though hardly the most embarrassing thing that came to her notice. Sounds of people going about their business, both outside and in the houses around, were easy enough to ignore, though at night…she didn’t want to know every time someone was having sex, leaving her to wonder why people so casually left their windows open! 

As long as it took her to get used to the absence of certain colors, Sara found it was worth it for the night vision she was granted. Colors weren’t easy to identify at night, but even the briefest bit of light was enough for her to make out shapes and forms. She’d never been in pure darkness, though with her other senses attuned as they were, she figured such would be of little concern. Even at night, she was able to make her way around the house, though soon learned it was best to stay in the basement after her new roommates made their way to bed. Tripping over a tiger in the middle of the night was not an experience they enjoyed repeating!

With all the power and mass in her new body, Sara longed for the space to test her new abilities as much as any beast in the wild. Such was not to be, even at night, given the idea of a tiger on the loose was not worth the risk. So she confined herself to the basement in those early days, hoping things would change for the better. Yet, with the house as close to the outskirts of town as it was, she eventually decided the balance between her health and safety needed to be addressed. As far as she knew, her nightly escapades went unnoticed by the community, surely something that would be reported. It was nice to stretch her legs, keeping her from going stir-crazy. It was amazing how fast she could run all out, even in some wooded areas, figuring that was nothing compared to where her new species had evolved to live. Surely, she could make it all the way to her old home with no trouble, running errands without needing to take public transit. Not that she could, given her size. Small blessings.

One of the first orders of business was to find a way to communicate with her roommates more directly. As expressive as felines could be, such was a temporary measure at best. Thankfully, Mike had experience with making custom parts for his hardware, and something with a much larger keyboard might do the job. Sara wished she could tell him the error of his ways, but seeing was believing as the saying went, and she had to resist the urge to roll her eyes as he insisted she try it. For his sake, Sara had to admit she lasted all of twenty minutes of typing before her massive paw broke the keyboard setup. Giving Mike ‘the look’, Mike sighed and promised to do better. 

And so he did, within the next few days, no less. Not only was his second attempt far sturdier for a tiger-sized paw, but the keys were large enough that she could access them with some sufferable level of speed. It was a far cry from how well she could type as a human, but Sara couldn’t deny all the time she had on her paws. And the biggest bonus was the text-to-speech function she was able to access. It wasn’t much, and all he could do with the rest of the world going to hell. But Mike promised that over the next few months, he could make something more substantial, and Sara was at least thankful, through the robotic tone, that her desires could be vocalized. 

Her first act, other than a reply to all the friends and family who assumed her goodbye messages were a prelude to suicide, was to get back on the forums, posting about her ‘hopefully’ temporary situation. Many replies came in rapid succession, all impressed with her ability to type even some weeks after being changed. So many wanted pictures, though Sara found it rather silly and rolled her eyes, the right sarcastic gif escaping her. But in the end, she was able to ask Sky to do it, the pair making a game out of doing a photoshoot. Sara only lamented the lack of ease for the text-to-speech program, missing out on her “draw me like one of your French kitties” bit. Still, she took to languishing rolling around, looking as cute as a 700-pound kitty could, allowing close-ups of her murder mittens and toe beans, opening her mouth in a semblance of a roar, and any number of other silly poses as requested by the thread. Part of her wanted to make a joke about charging them, though the more she thought about it, the more that didn’t seem like a bad idea…

Finding a sense of purpose from getting back on the forums once more, Sara spent much of her free time posting. It was more than a little inconvenient getting used to typing, and her typos were numerous and irritating. Taking 20 minutes to type a post when she could have written several pages as a human was a setback to her pride. Even telling herself she had nothing better to do was hardly enough to settle her irritation. But, with each passing day, her skill at using her claws increased, and while she would never type more than a fraction of the speed of dexterous human hands, it was enough to keep her from going mad. That, and she only broke her keyboard twice in the span of two months! In her mind, it was progress! In Mike’s mind…not too much. But after confirming her financial situation was stable, her leave paying for the next year and various disability services through her company, easy enough to apply for, she was happy to foot the bill. 

Most of all, Sara was grateful for the ability to communicate with those who were changing, not just for the camaraderie. It made her happy to provide advice for those just starting to change, those undergoing the more drastic alterations like the loss of hands, and even the day-to-day life of being a tiger. No one she had talked to was turning into a tiger, though smaller species were present, house cats, mostly. A few people were even becoming more local fauna, bobcats and cougars and the like. Still, her experience was useful for any variety of paw types, and more than one person sent DMs thanking her deeply for her help and her generally cheerful demeanor. She was literally saving lives, some out there on the cusp of choosing a more permanent way out rather than risk becoming an animal. And, it was just as cathartic for Sara, if she was being honest with herself. Finding ways to make things more comfortable for herself could be passed on to help others, something she had never thought of herself doing, but was amazed at the responses she got. A chuckle crossed her lips thinking she might have missed her calling. Again, I have to monetize some of this…

Of course, Sara was not inclined to hold back from talking about all the messy details about life as a cat. It was something no one wanted to ask but everyone wanted to know about, especially as the alterations to hands made human hygiene all but absent. Tigers in the wild took care of their needs in some unpalatable ways, something Sara was still coming to terms with. While she was flexible enough to clean herself if need be, she was not inclined to do so as much as she could avoid. Other than having something to scoot her massive backside on, Sara soon found the irritation enough she had to take care of sanitation in a more feline way. At least it was not as bad as she worried, but still something she would rather didn’t talk about in too much detail. Sara always reminded herself things could be worse, there were far less hygienic species out there when it came to bodily functions. And given that she couldn’t clean up her makeshift ‘litter box’, she was more than happy to pay her roommate a generous stipend to help with the necessities, as it were. 

Much to her chagrin, bathroom habits were not the most annoying thing Sara had to learn to contend with. It hit her unexpectedly, and just as she was starting to relish the lack of anything resembling a period for her life going forward. But even her research into the habits of cats could not have prepared her for the reality of going into heat. Her sex felt aching and sore one day, and leaking fluid into the fur around it. It was uncomfortable, though nothing like human arousal, with no obvious outside influence. She figured she was getting sick, and decided to stay downstairs for a while. Mickey and Minnie were at least willing to cuddle with her, but it wasn’t until Mickey began humping at her backside that Sara clued into what was happening. And of course, while Mickey was fixed, the urges were there, even if he was far out of his league, so to speak. 

At first, Sara did her best to ignore it, which came to be a more trying task than she’d bargained for. It was not just the direct need for sex, though that was certainly present. The persistent ache in her loins made it so hard to sleep at times, coming and going in bouts. A few times, she found herself more affectionate toward her housemates without really understanding why. It wasn’t that she wanted their help or anything, far from it. It was just a general slide in her demeanor that left her acting out of character. Much to the chagrin of her roommates, who were nearly knocked over by the size of the overly friendly big kitty!

With no end in sight for her period of heat, or at least too far in the future for her to wait for, Sara was determined to find a way to alleviate it. Without another big cat available, anything direct was out. Not that she would ever do anything with a born animal. That would be too much! A few people were changing into big cats on the forums now that the numbers showing were in the five-figure digits and climbing. But no one was around her as best as she could tell, and no one was fully changed. With that option out, she did her best to brainstorm a solution. There had to be something that was better than letting it run its course and then having to deal with it every few months for the rest of her life. 

The first thing that came to mind was to tend to things herself. And that could be an option, given the new flexibility she possessed. Yet, when giving it a try, a few hurdles soon came to light. The first was the roughness of her tongue, able to give her orgasm with just a few licks. It was something she had been wondering about since that night she had touched herself before she lost her hands. And it was pleasant, far different from her former hand but no less enjoyable in its own way. But when it came to researching the mating habits of cats, Sara felt her heart sink. It could be upwards of a hundred times a day when tigers copulated in the wild, and while her tongue could manage a few times, it was but a drop in the bucket for what she needed. Not only would she make her tongue sore, but she would rub the skin right off her pussy! Not to mention she had to be careful with the barbs, paining her if she did so the wrong way. 

As much as she didn’t want to explain her situation to her roommates, there was no hiding things forever. Sky walked in on her one day while Sara had the bathroom tap on too far, trying to dampen a towel and soaking it far too much for her needs. Getting the idea, Sky reached down to grab her another, and Sara reached out, trying to get it stuck to her tongue for her use. Sky’s look of confusion made Sara wish she could simply say, <Don’t ask> as she went back downstairs to make her attempt. After having it fall off after several times, and not providing adequate stimulation, Sara soon abandoned the idea. All those years well spent on that engineering master’s…

Eventually, Taylor got the idea to vocalize that she might be in heat, as much as Sara wanted to roll her eyes at the obvious. “Why don’t you just try…well, you know, your tongue? It can reach, right?” He’d suggested, obviously feeling a little self-conscious about it. It was cute, Sara figured, though she was quick to move toward him, licking his arm with a few long, abrasive strokes. 

“Ok, Ok, I get it!” Taylor declared, and after a few minutes of equally fruitless suggestions, he eventually relented and headed back upstairs. 

With that, Sara was left to look online, though there was an obvious lack of information on that front. Tigers in captivity were forced to ‘deal with it’ which Sara quickly determined was an option for quitters. And a last-resort solution if she couldn’t engineer something far more suitable. Surely, her scientifically inclined brain could find a better way to alleviate…this. 

The idea of using a toy came to mind, and while such fetish gear existed, albeit at exorbitant prices, Sara figured the scope of such was hardly designed to fit her specific needs. Still, with the threat of… this returning on a regular basis, she could think of no reprieve than to order something regardless. No one in her online friend group seemed able to help, especially with so few people fully changed. However, many were left with the realization it could soon affect them, too. I really am a beacon of hope for the community here…

Thankfully, with the option for rush delivery and a more than generous tip, Sara only had to wait a few days for her toy to arrive. Taking it out of the box with her teeth, Sara dropped it for a moment before the obvious issue came to mind. How was she supposed to use this thing, anyway? She had sort of assumed she would simply use it with her mouth and work it into position, but such was quickly proven to be impossible. Not only could she barely maneuver the thing, but the silicone makeup was not made for tiger teeth, should she bite down as hard as she needed. Great, I hope the maker is happy with the tip, at least!

Grumpily, Sara carried her toy upstairs, giving Mike a pathetic stare for help, at least as much as a deadly predator could muster. It only took him a few moments before the obvious dawned on him, and he promised to be right back with some tools. Back downstairs, he asked Sara to choose a spot on the wall, and Sara did her best to back up with her backside lowered, she figured it would be a proper mating position. However, having little experience in such things, it was impossible to be sure. Being naked was bad enough, but shoving her sex against the wall as a marker…As if I still thought I had any dignity… 

It only took Mike about twenty minutes to get it set up, though with Sara’s anticipation, it might as well have been years. Taking a step back to admire his work, Mike seemed to linger a few moments longer than Sara was prepared to wait. A low growl caused him to get the idea, even if he couldn’t understand her words. <Out. Headphones on. No one comments.> 

Figuring all was well, Sara turned her back to the toy, gently wiggling her butt in an effort to hit the mark. Yet, she was soon to hit two obvious roadblocks, not the least significant of which was that it was far too short for her efforts. Further attempts were to no avail, and she quickly came to realize how differently cats must have mated. Be it a lack of experience with her quadrupedal body or the abject failure of a wall-mounted dildo for feline uses, she didn’t think there was any way she could make the toy work. 

<Fuck! Fuck! Fuckfuckfuckfuck!>

She was sure her roommates had their ears pressed to the closed basement door, though even if logically they knew they were safe, the presence of an angry tiger was not something they wanted to walk in on. And Sara, to her stubbornness, was not inclined to quit just yet. Not that she had anything better to do with her evening, spearing over and over for a toy to enter her in a position that was far too awkward.

<FUCK!> 

The sound of an angry roar and the smack of a massive paw against the floor was enough to make her roommates glad their tiger border had the basement room. They likely couldn’t even imagine what she was doing, though none were foolish to try and interrupt her. Even a further series of roars and smacking of massive paws against walls were not enough to draw them, hoping at least things weren’t too damaged. Not that Mike couldn’t fix it, but he might not be pleased to spend the better part of a day repairing the damage from a truly pissed-off tiger. 

It was some hours later, once the roars and smashing died down, that the sound of a tiger scratching on the door had Mike give Sky a look, before gingerly opening it. While they couldn’t understand her words, the look on her face was all they needed to know to stay back from the orange kitty. 

<Not. One. Word.> She growled, heading into the living room to curl up and hoping the TV would be an adequate distraction. It wasn’t, and Mickey was still instinctively obligated to help a kitty in need. However, that simply entailed rubbing against her body and humping futility into the air. Forgetting he no longer had balls, the poor male kept falling over himself in a display she might have found funny if she wasn’t so damn frustrated.

Meanwhile, Mike and Sky went down to survey the damage, concluding, all in all, it could have been worse. The mess of drywall and plaster with the toy sitting in the center like a monument to Sara’s rage was quick to clean up. And as tepid as Mike was to pick up her toy, it was clear it had not been used for its intended purpose. 

“So, um, if you’re not gonna use it, then, umm…” Mike asked, careful of pissing off his friend as he walked into the living room, dildo in hand. A deadly glare crossed Sara’s features, and Mike just put it down and walked away. He was clearly not in the mood to be mauled and had his work cut out for him while Sara was cooling off. 

Five days had passed since Sara came into heat, and she was steadily getting desperate. As much as she was trying to control her body, it was all she could not to growl out <Fuck. Damnit. I hate this> in a tone that sounded more than the wailing of a horny beast, which was apt. It was obvious her roommates were aware of her ‘condition’, not that she could hide it away from them. For one, she had a persistent urge to piss and mark her territory. It almost led to accidents, some that were more messy than others. Obviously, the scents didn’t bother her, and after the first time she had left a mess, she felt rather embarrassed about it. She didn’t want to bring attention to it, but hearing Mike complaining when he came down to tend to her care caused her shame. It was a wonder they didn’t talk about kicking her out, and she was determined to make sure she didn’t repeat the affair. She was mostly successful, but tiger instincts were strong, even if Sara tried her best to go with the flow. 

That was one of many urges she had to be content with, though perhaps more annoying if not as smelly. Tigers in the wild, as much as Sara had learned in her studies, used massive trees and logs to scratch and mark her territory. She wanted to put in a request for her roommates to order her something to scratch, though naturally, nothing existed on the market. Sara was fine with it for a while, though with her first period of heat, the urge to scratch was maddening. On one occasion, she hadn’t realized she was rubbing against the downstairs curtains before reaching up to scratch them, tearing them away as well as everything connected to them. The sound was enough to prompt Mike and Sky to rush down to see what the issue was. Sara was left looking up at them, sad and pathetic. It was after that incident that they agreed to seek out something more suitable for her use. 

As much as she didn’t want to be a burden, there was little Sara could do to fight against those instincts, perhaps made worse by living in a confined human house when tigers had massive home ranges. Once, Sky made the unfortunate mistake of teasing their roommates about ‘spaying the kitty’, something that Sara’s acute ears were easily aware of. A roar from the other room was a sign of their error, and Sky made sure to keep their door closed in case they received an unwanted visitor. They had no way of knowing the words behind the angry roar and if they had, they might have confined themself up there for a few days!

<You know I haven’t found out just how much bite force these new jaws of mine can muster. If I hear that again, we’re both going to find out!>

It seemed feline heat was only set to last for a few days at a time, much to Sara’s relief. It was enough for her to let her guard down, and when it came back about a month later, it did so with a vengeance. Sky, perhaps in a bid of apology, had looked into some possibilities to help, though neither was particularly effective. It seemed that tigers went into heat every couple of months, which nagged her to think this would be a facet she would have to contend with. Hell, in some ways it was worse than even the loss of her hands or voice! So, she was open to suggestions, even if none of them were a permanent solution. 

Given the effects of weed on period symptoms, their first idea was to offer Sara catnip. Not having partaken before, Sara wasn’t sure she should, given the effects of catnip on felines being quite different from weed on humans. And with no idea how much she’d need for her much larger body, Sara decided it was for the best she did not invest, even if it would help. 

That left one possibility, one that both Sara and Sky looked for as regularly as they could. Hopefully, they would find a willing man who was changing into a big cat, though preferably not a tiger or even a lion. Above all, Sara didn’t want to become pregnant, and figuring any cubs would be mere animals, the idea was not amicable. Surely, there were birth control methods, but after two periods of heat, Sara was feeling a little desperate. She didn’t really want to mate at first, even if pregnancy was not a possibility. It was the principle of the thing, Sara not having a boyfriend or the like for some time before coming down with the virus and subsequent change. 

At first, Sara didn’t have any luck. There were so few people turning into large cats at all, much less that had changed all the way or were within a reasonable vicinity. At least there were people on the forums willing to help out where they could. The second period of heat only lasted a few days, but given what she had researched about tigers, it was likely going to be annoying going forward. She was at least able to acquire some toys to scratch up with help from a nearby zoo and things they had used for enrichment activities. Sara would have been a little humiliated by such a reality, but the truth was it felt amazing when scratching material made for a cat of her stature. Her claws felt stimulated inside and out, and picked away at the claw’s casings, giving her so much irritation. Sara quickly came to understand why even small cats enjoyed the sensation so much!

It was some weeks before her next heat that she got a hit, for better or for worse. There was indeed another tiger a few states over who had been a handler in a local zoo. He figured that being around exotic animals was the reason for his change into a tiger, though, ironically, the zoo didn’t have any others. But given his changes had just finished some days ago when the offer to visit a female in heat came up, he seemed amenable to the idea. Sara wasn’t sure how to track her heat periods, much different than her cycles as a human. More to the point, he did live some distance away, so the prospect of traveling to see him was a little daunting. And if she had to do so each and every time, even her stipend wouldn’t cover the travel! It wasn’t like she could just get on a bus or a plane anymore, and while she was effectively immune herself, the pandemic was still raging, needing to pay hazard funds to even get a trailer to take her. 

In the end, she was determined to give it a try, at least this one. Annoyingly, her driver didn’t seem to understand the assignment, demanding the tiger be ‘put to sleep’ before the trip. Sara wanted to roar her protest but realized quickly that doing so would, rather foolishly, prove his point. She had to get the pandemic skeptical as her truck driver! Still, as she was coming to learn, no one could resist the temptation of petting tiger belly fur for long, and after about twenty minutes or so, she was secure and ready for the long haul. It would be overnight, and while Sara didn’t think she could manage to sleep in the back of a truck, it wasn’t too hard. Thankfully,  the drive passed relatively easily, Sara having enough food and a makeshift tiger toilet for her convenience. 

Still, with so much on her mind, it was a wonder Sara wasn’t a nervous wreck before she got there. It did not escape her realization that it was her first time leaving the state since the change. And it was hardly the accommodations she would have preferred to experience. However, it was better than nothing, and, as she’d chuffed to herself several times, she didn’t have to wear a mask anymore! The mating itself had her worried, as much as she was sure her heat was due and the trip wouldn’t be for anything. She didn’t want to get pregnant, even if the zoo assured her there was an equivalent of a feline ‘morning after’ pill she could take. She wished she could have better articulated the need for a ‘the next three mornings after’ pill, but she was sure a zookeeper for a tiger enclosure would know that much. Then again, as she was beginning to come to terms with, the intelligence of individual people was more than questionable in recent days, so she’d taught herself to temper expectations. 

The sex itself was of some concern, of course. She had to admit, the idea of sex in general was…well, it was OK. But it was hardly the most important thing in her human life. If she was being honest with herself, companionship wasn’t something she felt she was missing. But with the changes to her body and needs, it was something she considered she should at least try, even if it didn’t appeal to her human self. Still, she couldn’t shake the unease or trepidation that left her hardly able to sleep. 

Of course, she could smell the male before she saw him, the truck parked close to the tiger enclosure. Apparently, he was living in very tiger-like zoo conditions, without anywhere else to go and having spent all his time at the zoo anyway before the change. Maybe he liked being an animal when he was already taking care of them every day. Or perhaps it was the opposite, he hated taking the role of one of his animals and lamented his place in a cage. Wait, was there another reason why he was being kept in there? He couldn’t be dangerous, could he? Did everyone take to the change as peacefully as she had? Damn, she had so many questions!

Yet, regardless of what he might be like, there was no denying her persistent heat, made worse by his smell and proximity. The urge to size him up and show her dominance was certainly there, but Sara was sure she could resist it, not being an animal. But there was some precedence to allow things to move as her tiger instincts dictated, in order to deal with a very tiger impulse. Fuck, this was all so new, and Sara found herself almost wishing she had stayed home and just let the heat run its course. But she was here now, and there was little point in staying in the truck with all the money she had paid to be transported. 

One of the keepers was there to greet her, and to Sara’s delight, she was treated with human consideration. Apparently, they had decided the tiger habitat would be sufficient for them to do the deed, though she was assured they would be given complete privacy save for their daily feedings. There was a bell they could use to contact one of the staff for care, and she would be given somewhat of a touchpad for basic communication, including her request for transportation back to her friend’s home. To her gratitude, food and lodgings were provided free of charge. Sara nodded her understanding, and with that, she was allowed to enter the pen from the back, bracing herself for whatever was to come. 

Of all the present scents, the male’s pee was strongest, as much as it grossed her out to be so interested in it. But his hormones turned her on like nothing had ever before, and she found her tail lifting and squirting her own pee without even thinking about it. Part of her was worried she would gross the male out, but if he was living like a tiger as well, then surely, he, too, would-

<Ummm, hi!> Came a tiger’s growl, one that Sara was able to ascertain as speech. <Sorry, I wasn’t sure what time you were getting in, and->

<Hi. Yeah, sorry!> Sara growled in response, trying not to sound too nervous. How did such emotions come to be portrayed through animal sounds, anyway? 

<So, umm, I’m Jason, by the way,> the other tiger introduced himself, and Sara found herself moving around him, sizing him up. She was sure it was feline instinct spurring her on, but it was a little bizarre to think that way about what was little more than a potential mate, at least from a tiger’s perspective. Still, it was what she needed at the moment, and there was no trying to hold back from what her mind and instincts were telling her. If all went well, they could take some time to get to know each other later. 

As much as she could tell, Jason was nervous, tail lowered and body language hunched. Sara wasn’t sure he knew if he was doing it, though it was a very feline reaction, something she had done herself on several occasions. Still, she was sure he would be fine, especially with the arousal she could clearly smell, his tiger cock coming to bear. He was interested. Good. Surely it wouldn’t take much to get over any performance issues! 

<Might as well get on with it?> Sara suggested, moving in front of him as her instincts dictated. It wasn’t often she allowed her body to move on autopilot like this, getting down on her front feet and raising her ass into the air. She had read something online to the effect of this being called the lordosis position, and in theory, would make the process quick and relatively satisfying. 

<Ummm…yeah!> Came the reply, and Sara found herself starting to get a little annoyed. What was he waiting for, anyway? 

It took Sara a few moments to figure out the problem might be from either her forwardness or perhaps even her size. She was significantly larger than he, perhaps a different breed but it wasn’t something she had researched before now. He wasn’t too small, thankfully, and would certainly do. And as much as she wanted to wait for him to get into the spirit of things, her heat was persistent, and Sara was starting to get impatient.

<Well?> She demanded, perhaps a little more forcefully than she had intended. It wouldn’t do to give him performance anxiety, but it wouldn’t help if he wasn’t up for the task at all!

<Sorry, sorry!> Jason stammered before moving in. Thankfully, his instincts were on point, even if his mind wasn’t so much. Feeling his warm breath on her nethers was amazing, and Sara wriggled her hips somewhat, hoping to waft her scent his way. Her efforts were rewarded with his tongue on her sex, lapping at her with a rough tongue and perhaps relaxing her a little too much.

<Hey!> Jason called out a moment before Sara realized she had peed a little. 

<Oh, shit, sorry!> Sara said, terrified that she’d done something so embarrassing without realizing it. This was turning out to be a disaster, indeed!

<No, no, don’t worry. Cat thing. It’s fine,> Jason replied, and before she had a chance to apologize further, Jason was on her, getting up on her back and gripping her with massive front paws. It didn’t hurt, her fur and skin able to take the pricks of his claws as he hoisted himself up. 

<Fuck yes…fuck, I need it!> Sara called out, all instinct as she felt the probing of a feline phallus against her nethers. Now that the moment was here, Sara found herself a little nervous, recalling what she had read about feline mating. It would likely be uncomfortable no matter how she took it, but there was no denying how badly her body required it. It was the only thing that would truly do, and Sara braced herself for what was to come.

It seemed Jason wasn’t too bad at sex, hitting the mark after a few thrusts as he took his place within her. He was a little small, though Sara knew better than to say anything on the matter. As the tiger took position and started to thrust, Sara’s sex was lit aflame, being stimulated in a way that went beyond even human sex.

<Oh damn, you’re good at this!> Sara exclaimed, feeling him getting in there in a way that sparked her pleasure points. 

<Yeah, well, there was this leopard who-sorry!> Jason called out as Sara’s body tensed in a sensation of pain. 

<No worries, go for it!> Sara responded, trying not to wince too much. His spines scraped against her insides, and Sara could hardly repress a growl as they did. It didn’t hurt exactly, rather rubbed her the wrong way, especially with how rapidly the big cat was starting to thrust. But there was a pleasure there, too, playing over his insides in a way that defied her human understanding. As much as it ached, there was no denying it was a good ache, one that she was designed to take. 

<Yeah, sorry it’s a little rough!> Jason apologized, though he was not inclined to stop, lost in pleasure himself. 

<No. Give it to me! Fuck!> Sara growled, getting into it. As much as her instincts told her to be still and take it, Sara was proactive, moving her hips back against him as Jason continued his shallow thrusts. He wasn’t as heavy on top of her, giving her some room to move as she took her pleasure onto herself. 

<Oh god yes!> Sara called out, almost incoherently as his spines raked her insides. With how well they served to get her off, Sara felt her orgasm coming rapidly. Nothing her new body had experienced before could quite match this sensation, and she allowed herself to succumb to the satisfaction, tremors flowing through her body and accentuated by the male’s consistent pounding. 

What she was not expecting was for the male to reach down and nip the nape of her neck, causing her to call out with shock. <Hey, watch it!> Jason ignored it, lost in his mating instincts. Yet, the pain was brief, allowing her to growl her lust and send a second shiver of orgasm through her being. Pain really was a major facet of being a cat, it seemed!

Though Sara could not perceive the minute quantity of semen deposited within her womb, the male’s insistent thrusting was a sign he was finished as well. Without waiting, he pulled out, leaving a tightness in her cunt making Sara growl incoherently. Reflexively, she reached back, swatting with her massive paw, claws retracted. Still, her swing hit him, and Jason called out with an, <Ouch, what was that for!> 

<Sorry, it was a reflex. I didn’t mean it!> Sara responded, finding it a bit of an overreaction even for the pain of his exit. She would come to learn it was a normal feline response, though one she figured would be best not to engage in. 

Tired from the intense fucking, she lay there for a bit, panting as her body rested from the strain. It felt good, better than she’d hoped for. Her stirring loins were not quite satisfied yet, of course, figuring tigers had a lot to give in a single setting. And the moment she felt ready, she got up, sticking her cum-stained cunt in the male’s face to spur him on.

<Not even a minute’s rest, huh,> Jason mused, though it didn’t stop him from getting up as well. 

<You can take it, big guy,> Sara retorted, and she was soon to feel the weight of him on her back. This time, his penis hit the mark at once, and Sara growled, the sting of his spines teasing her insides. In all the right ways, she was coming to understand. And something she was happy to experience over and over until finally, her damn heat let up…

*******

The next few months, much to Sara’s relief, had improved significantly. Many of the hurdles of being a tiger in her roommate’s very human accommodations were behind them now, as much as such was possible. She had opted to continue living with them for a variety of reasons, thankful they were fine with it as well. The zoo wasn’t set up for a second tiger, and as fun as Jason was for alleviating her heat, she didn’t think anything long-term was in the cards. Not that she had much of a way of options going forward, but it wasn’t something she really worried about for now. All parties agreed it was best for them to head back to their previous situations, and Sara’s subsequent heat periods weren’t as intense as they had been. Still better than human periods, in her opinion!

Of most importance was her newfound access to tiger-friendly tech and Mike’s presence to help her with maintenance. Being able to talk to those who had changed was important to her, and for those who frequented the forums as well. Being the only tiger she knew, Jason was not on the forms himself, Sara soon became rather well known. She was also one of the few people fully transformed who could type at the moment, which itself was enough of a novelty. And there was no shortage of appreciation for her story, a glimmer of hope for many of those who had no idea what would become of their lives. 

There were some other advantages to her roommates for having Sara around, some more unexpected than others. It had been a rare time Sara had been home alone, for the best given the circumstances. She had been upstairs, in the living area, mindlessly scrolling nighttime TV when the sound of a crash hit her ears. Despite her acute hearing, it took her a few moments to realize it was the sound of breaking glass. The smell of someone she had never met brought her some alarm, though she hardly needed to get up before someone garbed in black entered the room, shining a flashlight and settling over the massive pair of glowing amber eyes. It was obvious the intruder had no idea what to make of her, and as his light settled in the form of a tiger, Sara needed only to lower her head, flatten her ears, and flick her tail a single time. The intruder was quick to leave, Sara chuffing out a quiet laugh before going back to the TV. And that’s the last time he’s going to come around…And to her delight, while a few burglaries had been reported in the area in the last few weeks, strangely, that night was the last one. 

Often waiting an eternity for night to fall so she could run, Sara found herself mindlessly checking the internet for replies. Much to her chagrin, there was little for her to do on the daily. Tigers in the wild spent much of their waking hours patrolling their territories or hunting, neither activities Sara could partake in. There was little on the human side of things she could do, either, other than browse the internet and watch TV. Given the rather dire state of the world, such was rather unpalatable, and Sara was left with a constant state of boredom. Hell, if she could go back to work, she would be more than happy to!

Of course, boredom gave way to thoughts of either drugs or alcohol, not something she often partook in as a human. She always did keep herself too busy for such, which was likely for the best. Given the lack of data on the effects of substances on tigers, Sara figured it was best she abstain, just in case. Still, she was a little curious when Sky came to her once more with a suggestion to try catnip. It was, technically, safe for cats, giving them a natural high and making them relaxed and playful. While it likely wouldn’t ease the symptoms of her heat, Sky offered the option for recreational use. Sara was opposed to the idea at first, not least of all finding the notion demeaning. Still, Sky continued to occasionally offer, and eventually, curiosity won out. 

Given the unknown effects of a drug on her system, let alone how much a tiger might need, Sara figured a change of scenery might be appropriate. Since her former apartment had been paid up in advance, Sara and Sky made their way under cover of darkness. It was not the first time they had been back, or at least, Sky on Sara’s behalf. Thankfully, there were no unwanted encounters, and she was able to sneak in, Sky setting up her nip as well as a camera to record things should Sara forget. And, they had been primed to leave her alone, if not for the massive crash they heard from the ground floor as soon as they left. Sara went to call out her roar, something Sky was at least able to associate with a lack of distress. Sara, for her attempt, had been trying to tell them to lock the door and leave her be. The apartment was not in the best condition from Sara’s initial change, and she was surely long after getting back her deposit. But in her drug-induced stupor, the words didn’t even make sense to her in tiger-speak. 

Getting the idea, Sky reluctantly left her alone, happy to return a few hours later to help her back. What they were not expecting was for their tiger roommate to be lying on her back, rolling in the shredded remnants of her couch, and walls, and having knocked down her former desk in the chaos. Yet, eyes wide and stoned, Sara could find no fault in what she had done, rather happy to be rolling in all the fluff. It was some moments before she came down and sheepishly realized what she had done. Without memories of it, Sara decided adamantly she would never try catnip around the house, especially around humans. 

It was almost embarrassing to make it back home and watch the video, Sara acting more like a 700-pound house cat than anything she had done since her change. Still, she started to feel a little better about it from seeing her roommate’s reactions, enough that she even agreed to allow Sky to put it on YouTube. Already having a bit of financial backing on their channel, Sara was rather pleased to learn her embarrassing escapades were able to rake in a fair amount of cash, all of which she put toward repairing the damage she had done. And was all the incentive to never go back to the apartment to get high again!

Through the ensuing weeks and months, Sara kept her nose to the ground, so to speak, as the seasons changed and more people found themselves in the bodies of animals. There were more than a few horror stories, and surely thousands more that were being unreported. From what she could read, many people changing were soon left homeless, or at least at risk of it with their changes reaching the point of no return. Obviously, domestic or smaller animals had it better, but even that was hardly a signpost for how the community was doing at large. Naturally, there was an uptake of missing person cases and a number of reasons why such might be. People changing, deciding to flee, their animal forms being trafficked, and other things Sara didn’t really want to think about. But for the most part, people were able to find some temporary accommodation, waiting for what would be inevitable. 

The vast majority of people showing signs of what was being dubbed ‘the novel Zoomorphic virus’ were prone to only displaying the smallest of animal signs. The changes would end after a few days or weeks, leaving them thankful to have dodged a bullet. But many thousands were changing all the way as Sara had, though most over the course of weeks or months rather than under a week. As much as it had been studied, leading experts had little idea as to what caused the changes or even how to reverse them. While vaccines were still a ways off, there was at least a good chance they would completely eliminate the risk of changing as Sara had. It did little to help her situation, though it was better than having society collapse all at once, she supposed. 

With the myriad of misinformation out there about the origin of the virus as well as its effects, Sara figured it was still in her best interest to be cautious going out. It had been widely accepted that people who showed signs of physical change were not infectious and therefore were safe to be exposed to others. However, the stress of being a tiger living at the edge of the city was enough for her to time her outings properly. Her neighbors, at least, were used to her presence, and happy to give her space as she took her nightly runs to burn her excess energy. No one had taken a shot at her or the like, but the police had been called on more than one occasion. Such encounters left her to have to growl her way out of some annoying circumstances. 

As time went on, Sara found herself more active on the forums talking to those in the midst of change, providing a helpful paw about all sorts of issues. The least of all was advice for the few people turning into big cats, though they were few and far between. One was a man from Germany using the online handle of Siegmar, who had been covered with what he was sure was panther fur. For now, it seemed he wasn’t likely to change the rest of the way, given it had been some weeks since the fur had stopped growing. But as he was one of the few big cats she’d met, she wanted to get to know him as best she could.

Naturally, there was some pushback on Siegmar’s part, having fur and eventually the start of a tail, but little else to signal his change to a full cat like Sara. She couldn’t blame him, of course. As much as Sara was still struggling day to day with her own new body, she found herself coming to like what she had become. But she had also been a tiger for some months now, with little time to really lament her humanity before it was taken from her. Would she have felt the same way if all she possessed was a fur coat and tail, and constant worries about whether or not it would cease there? It did take some reflection on her part and helped with her empathy in the short term.

Siegmar was not the only person Sara worked to reassure, of course. Such was soon to become easier as enough infected people drew the necessity for the government to provide aid. Unfortunately, it didn’t apply to Sara’s case, at least at first. It wasn’t something that bothered her, especially with her leave at a full-time salary. It wasn’t like she could work a keyboard at any speed to make her an asset to the company. Still, even after her leave was over, she would qualify for sick benefits and be fine from a financial standpoint. 

However, there were some other workarounds that Sara was able to apply for, in particular regarding her roommates. Not only were they looking after her needs, but Sky and Mike were going above and beyond in terms of creating items for her use. Such was close enough to labor hours that Sara figured it was worth applying to have them as employees. It was a long shot, but one that ended up paying off, giving them a modest stipend they were thankful to receive. 

The financial news was only to get better with laws allowing nondiscrimination for people showing animalistic symptoms. After one day receiving an email from her firm, Sara was disappointed to learn she no longer qualified for disability benefits. However, what she had not anticipated was getting her job back, as well as a promotion on top of it. There was still some work she could do as a consultant, able to use her makeshift keyboard for meetings and such. Sara figured it was as much a publicity stunt for her company to have a former employee reinstated after she turned tiger. In fact, there was a government subsidy for research into technology for those changed into animals that her firm had won, and having a former human as project head was a boon. Either way, her position was guaranteed, allowing her plenty of income to fund her new ventures. 

With a loophole involving her stipend, and her status as a more ‘dangerous’ person to care for, Sara’s financial situation was such that she could hire all three of her roommates as her personal assistants. While she was paying them before, this was far more than they’d been making at their current jobs. They’d all been more than happy to take the offer, each with enough personal projects to keep them busy while their salaries ended up higher than any of their prior careers. It was rather amusing having a government worker come by the house to interview her on her circumstances, likely due to the amount of money she qualified for. Still, there was no denying her annoyance at having an unknown human in her space, much less having to type slowly to answer his questions. Why the hell can’t they just interview Sky and Mike? Fucking bureaucracy…

Despite her best efforts to act polite, many of her feline mannerisms were not easily perceived as friendly. She considered her usual tactic of rolling on her belly for pets, though such didn’t seem like the best display for her case worker. Still, it was obvious they were flustered, in the end promising to advocate for the maximum amount being offered. Sara had a small chuckle at that, figuring he wanted to get out as quickly as possible. Not to mention, with her new station, she was making more money than she ever had, even when factoring her roommate’s salaries into account!

Still, even with her new responsibilities, Sara found herself with too much time on her paws, so to speak. With inspiration from what projects her company was spearheading, Sara was inclined to take some of those ideas and see if her roommates were interested, albeit on a smaller scale. Mike was up first, his tech expertise enough to make some prototypes using Sara as his test subject. Early on, their pursuits were focused on a voice assistant program that would respond to a user’s animal tone rather than a human voice. Such would be impossible with natural animal voices and the lack of cohesive, transferable language. However, with the tones that virus victims were able to use, Mike was able to make some headway. With some effort, Sara was able to growl three times to turn a light on, two more to turn it off, and even chirp to open a lock. It wasn’t much, and she was sure it wouldn’t work much across multiple species, but it was a start. 

Of more interest was their early designs of a new translation program, one that correlated animal vocalizations with human speech. For now, it was difficult to account for all the nuances of every species each former person had become. Though given the specific cadence Sara used to articulate words, it was easy to provide feedback as Mike worked to record her vocalizations and program words she could confirm were accurate. It was in the beta stages, to be sure, but at the very least they were able to match the alphabet to her vocalizations, allowing her a speech-to-text version of her keyboard. It was slow going and meddlesome without a functional mouse, something they could not manage to make work with her paws. Still, it seemed a precursor for things to come, and she was eager to send along the program to any felines to see if her vocal recordings were enough for them to operate it as well. 

On the leather working front, Sara and Sky found more success. Placing messy items in packages someone with hooves or paws could manage was a start, though it was hard to come by pliable material resistant to tiger claws. A few of their designs came to fruition, especially a simplistic saddle bag, one with multiple pouches that could easily be reached with paws or muzzles. The variation in size necessary for all the different species made it a bit trying to produce a decent supply. Still, with Mike’s help on the 3D printing front, they were able to get some prototypes made, enough to move on to testing. 

As much as Sara wanted to get them on an Etsy store to help pay her roommates for their work, not all virus victims were in a position to be able to afford such. And since she required test subjects for sizing purposes, Sara went to the forums, asking for volunteers of a variety of statures. She was happy to send them out for free, doing her best to make sure a variety of people who needed them got them. Such drew attention to her generosity, and had she not already been a name in the community, she was now. It felt good to give back where she could. Sara always had a caring heart but was often unsure where to channel the energy. It seemed that facet of herself had an outlet. Her business sense and her roommates’ creativity allowed her to make a marketable product for a brand-new consumer base. It took only a couple of months for their Etsy store to take off. While it was difficult to keep up with the demand, they did their best. 

One such recipient was Siegmar, as much as he was not inclined to take the offer. He had declined her advice about vitamin supplements for his new body, thinking he might not change further and wouldn’t need them. Such was fair enough, but with some of the items she had helped design for big cats specifically, she was eager to hand them out for a test run. Not least of which was a set of combs for different areas of a feline coat, ones that she practically had to beg to send him, making sure she had the right address. Much to her delight, when they arrived a few weeks later, he was happy enough with their use and actually thanked her, bitter though he was about their necessity. 

With all the new projects to keep her busy, time felt as though it was flying by. With it came the hopes of the world going back to a semblance of normal, albeit in a changed world, pun intended. People were starting to venture out now, still using facial coverings for now but an important first step nonetheless. Being changed, Sara had the luxury of heading out without fear, people getting used to the idea that a ‘wild’ tiger was in fact formerly human and very friendly. She had been hard at work with her roommates on some of the more successful inventions, in particular the adjustable saddle bags, treats, and paw-friendly packaging. And now that there were people out and about to purchase them, Sara wanted to get a jump on it. 

One of her earliest ventures was setting up a tent in a local park, with some blankets and a makeshift booth. Solicitation laws were lax as of late, and her group was able to flaunt their wares. She hoped it would be successful given much of the city’s transformed population was among those out and about. In truth, only about twenty or so clients came out to browse their wares, hardly enough to make it worth their time. Not to mention there were so many people still intimidated by a wild tiger, albeit one obviously a former human. 

More often than not, Sara had to reassure people by rolling on her belly, which drew them near enough to be relaxed. However, Sara was not spared the indignity of people wanting to pet her. As much as she wanted to growl her annoyance at their insistence, such would only set her back from being a public face as the only changed tiger in the city. Having to let them get close and even pet her was trying the last of her patience, making the whole endeavor grate on her. Fuck, if I was getting money for pets, we’d have made bank in under an hour…

It didn’t take long for her and her roommates to set up the signage, and even those who had passed by already did a double take. Sara wasn’t sure where to set the price point, but given the demand, she figured there was room for exponential growth. Especially as the day ended, a few hours after setting up their new business venture and a few thousand richer. She would have never expected people would enjoy the novelty of being somewhere safe with a tiger and petting her, no less. In hindsight, it was a little silly, but it had made her venture lucrative enough. Hell, she even had some extra to donate toward other changed people in need!

While she had been adapting to tiger life in the interim, certain facets, in particular her heat, were ever-present. As much as they hadn’t hit it off, Jason was no longer available, having chosen to live his life in the Asian wilds. It wouldn’t have been Sara’s first choice, but there were people deciding to take that route with their changed status. And Sara had gotten used to how heat made her body feel, even if her roommates likely hated how grumpy she was. Even if they knew she wouldn’t literally bite their heads off… There was never a zero chance when Sara possessed the ability. 

As much as Sara hated her new reproductive biology, it did add some creative inspiration for her inventive endeavors. Not least of all was a ‘dating service’ one tailored for those who had changed or were even in the process of change. Given the rather high instances of infected being different species than their former partners and breaking up as a result, such a service was rather welcome. Sara had no compunction to try dating herself, not that there were many big cat prospects, to begin with. Given her research about big cat mating habits and how loud their mating vocalizations were, she figured the general public would be more amicable to a dating service where people could perform such courtship in private. 

Of more interest to Sara was the development of sex toys, though her ability to actually manufacture such was limited. She was the perfect subject for a mold of her own, but it was not something she wanted to ask her roommates to help with. Sizing a variety of genitalia was almost too difficult, though by putting the ideas out there on the forums, Sara was offered a significant amount of feedback, as well as some funding for the prototypes. It would be a lengthy endeavor, but given Sara’s grumpiness every three to six weeks, it was something her new team was more than happy to work on!

Of course, with all the time Sara had spent living with her roommates, they were at least able to adapt to their situation. And they certainly appreciated the added stipend that came with aiding Sara’s care, especially when they had been doing it for basically free. But Sara’s nightly runs and regular outs, while well received, were not enough to make up for the time she had to spend in relatively closed quarters. And after so many months, Sara found herself wishing for something more tenable for her and those sharing her needs and stature. There weren’t that many formerly human large cats in the US, but surely, there would be enough to warrant some sort of permanent structure, especially with all the added funds being allocated for the care of changed persons. Many dozens of such facilities were popping up around the country, each catering to a particular animal demographic. The goal was to provide some level of human dignity while tending to the needs of changed persons. And as much as she had the resources, Sara wanted in on the ground floor, so to speak, for the construction of a big cat sanctuary. 

Given her research, there were several places that were being considered for a potential big cat sanctuary, none of them close by, leaving Sara nervous about having to move. Not that she could live here forever, but given the high population of Changed individuals in her vicinity, having such a location here would arguably provide proximity to other upcoming amenities. It took some personal research, but given the myriad of abandoned buildings in the wake of the pandemic, there was surely something that could be purchased for consideration. And, after a rigorous campaign to the committee, Sara was to get her wish.

As one of the only big cats in the area, Sara was able to scope the grounds and aid with construction decisions that would be beneficial for the residents. Latrine facilities, separate rooms, a massive common area with places to jump, scratch, and sleep, and other forms of feline enrichment. As much as she couldn’t speak for the other future residents, Sara was willing to accommodate a visitor’s center, where residents could meet with the public and interact with former humans in a safe environment. The idea the committee floated about a gift shop was a little much at first, but Sara soon became amenable to the idea of a series of tiger plushies sporting her stripe design. 

One of the first candidates Sara had in mind was Siegmar, even though he was in another country. She had been talking to him more frequently as of late, especially after the growth of his tail. It had been a point of contention, given he hoped not to change further and had issues in hiding it. Sara was quick to ask if a similar facility would be built in Germany. Yet, she was not expecting to hear the rather alarming circumstances to which the German government was dealing with those infected. Being relocated to an ever-growing facility against their own volition was something Sara thought was a little authoritarian. With his fur and tail hidden, his status as Changed was not outed yet, which was a relief of sorts. But with an increasing pressure to spend more working hours in person at the office, the chances of that remaining the case for long were slim. 

As a result of the pandemic, most options for travel were largely limited, with countries only allowing international travel under specific circumstances. One such was employment confirmation for a job abroad, something that Sara was willing to offer. It was technically true, given her position in her company as well as her own small business claims for her former roommates. Such had been done, and without knowledge of Siegmar’s infected status, she figured he could pass border crossings and make the flight. She offered to pay full price for his ticket, though he declined, simply thankful for the opportunity. As much as she gathered he was nervous about trying, it was the only thing they could think of. With that, they made arrangements for travel once the sanctuary had opened officially for residents. The burden of proof was easy enough to avoid, given that such had no metric and there was really little reason for them to make it up. And it had worked, Siegmar having been given the necessary paperwork and dates for which he could travel. 

In the weeks leading up to their meeting, Sara found herself checking on him regularly, even when she was supposed to be working. In reality, Sara was far too busy as it was, and using the downtime to chat online was something her friends rather encouraged. And, as much as she was able, she kept in touch with this changing panther-man, finding his company rather welcome. At first, it was things about being a cat she had come to love, or any questions he had. Sara was happy to share all she knew, even the less sanitary aspects whenever Siegmar inquired about them. He was, on the surface, hopeful it would never come to that in his case. But in getting him ready for the possibility, he seemed resolved, at least if he was able to experience things with her directly. It was a little heartwarming, Sara not expecting to feel that way toward someone, cat or not. But even among the cats from around the US she knew were coming, Sara found herself more concerned about this man who may be joining their number. 

With the size of the new facility, Sara was sure Siegmar would be able to stay there even if his status was to leave him partially human. She had tracked down slightly less than a dozen people who had turned into large cats and were in need of accommodations more permanent than what they were currently experiencing. It was less than she figured, and the facility they had secured was able to fit ten times that number. Hell, she figured she was thankful for there to be a place like this at all, big cat species not that common as a result of the Zoomorphic Virus. At least in the US, though four of those who applied to move here cougars. A pair of male lions, a jaguar, some snow leopards, and a cheetah were all set to move in within the next couple of months, and Sara was excited. As much as Sara had found purpose in her life, she was a little lonely being the only big cat around. Not that she wanted a mate or anything, as convenient as it would be to have a male help with the heat. She almost wished that Siegmar, specifically, would… but that was getting ahead of herself in more than one way. She didn’t allow herself to entertain such thoughts for long. 

When the time came for Siegmar to book his flight, Sara moved to clear her schedule for the next few weeks, nearly wearing a cave in the floor as she paced in impatience. At this point, she had largely moved from her roommate’s house, though it was still within some degree of walking distance, and Sara was starting to receive less harassment from fear and more from people wanting to meet a real-life tiger. Still, it was better to have her own room in the sanctuary, and people to care for her specific needs in a place where she had enough freedom to move around and even exercise. She missed Mickey and Minnie, of course, but she could at least visit from time to time. It didn’t help that Taylor made a comment about “never being able to get the cat smell out of the basement,” but she at least hoped he was mostly joking. 

The day of the flight kept Sara awake for hours as she awaited the results of his boarding. There was every chance he would have to take a test and his status would be revealed. Not that the virus would show up in his system any longer. But it was a risky gamble nonetheless. And despite her worry about him being caught and imprisoned, unable to talk to him anymore, it was not as strong as her want to have him here. There was something about his circumstances that resonated with her, not having the ability to share his experiences with anyone as it happened. As the only currently changing big cat she knew, Sara felt a certain kinship with him, wanting to help him through a part of his life that she had walked into blindly in her own experience. 

It was a great relief when he posted on the forums that he was able to make it on the plane, and that security only required a negative test for current symptoms. With that, he was on his way, and staff at the facility set to pick him up and bring him here. Sara was nervous as hell, of course, knowing what he looked like but not sure how their interactions would go in person. And the fact he had never been around a large cat before…he didn’t want to be an animal, of course, so how would he look upon her once he’d gotten here? All she could do was hope for the best and that she had not made a mistake for both their sakes. 

Of all the things Sara hadn’t been expecting upon meeting the man was that he didn’t speak a word of English. He looked at her sheepishly before peering down at his phone and typing out his message. Text-to-speech helped a little, though there was no hiding her disappointment in not being able to talk to him directly. And he was a little standoffish about being close to her, keeping back a little and smelling noticeably nervous about her presence. She wanted to comfort him, rub against his leg, and give him the opportunity to pet her. Hell, even her usual tactic of rolling over on her belly wasn’t welcome, as ashamed as she would be to try. 

<So, I can show you where you’ll be staying> Sara growled, before realizing she didn’t have any way to tell him such. Sara dragged her pad out so she could type on it, taking a painfully long time as Siegmar stood there, looking and smelling nervous as hell. Getting the idea, he followed, timidly, not really sure if there would be any other cats in the area and not sure how he would be received. At least there was a rudimentary bed for him, but she was sure such accommodations would not help his acclimation to his new life. And hell, they didn’t even know for sure if he would change all the way!

Not wanting to enter his room just yet, Sara felt like going back to her own to type was the best plan going forward. <How are you doing?> She asked, after giving him some time to settle in.

<I don’t want to complain but this isn’t like my bed back home,> Was the reply, and Sara had to chuckle at that. 

< It will get better if you change more. Lots of great cushions,> she teased, though immediately regretted it. Siegmar was a little quiet after that, and she was convinced that discussing the impending changes might not be the best conversation route. Eventually, he joked about the flight, the lack of food, and how painful it was to have his tail confined in his pants the whole time. <I was sure someone was staring at me as I walked, and the tail twitched. I thought she was going to arrest me!> And Sara chuffed at that. 

<You can let it out here now. No need to hide it. Everyone here knows,> she replied, though once more, Siegmar remained silent. It was obvious he had no inclination to do so, regardless of what made the most sense. All Sara could do was hope that time would help and he might come to see the changes as welcome. 

And for the next few weeks, she did her best to think of ways to make it easier for him. It was hard for him those first few days, especially getting used to the other cats. It had been some time since some of the other residents had moved in, and Sara had wanted to take the time to get to know them better. But her focus was all on Siegmar, feeling he was in her care and taking responsibility for his well-being. It seemed easier for them to talk online, even if they were in the same building. It made things less real for him, able to hide away in his solitude and ignore the reality of what had happened to all the residents here. And what might happen to him in time. As much as he wanted to deny it, his doom-scrolling revealed that many who thought their conditions were stable started to change once more. Even months after their initial changes, many were forced to undergo a rather rapid shift to match the animals whose traits they had acquired. And the more who changed, the more likely it would happen to Siegmar, too. 

But in the meantime, Siegmar seemed to prefer to talk about mundane things, such as shared media and work. Much like their conversations before, he seemed fascinated with her financial ventures, and all the ways she had used her tiger status to make a difference in the lives of others. Sara played into that, wanting to indirectly show that being a tiger had not ruined her life but had rather given her a second chance of sorts. She had friends, admirers, her job, and was in a real position to help people in a way that her formerly mundane life had lacked. Seen through his eyes, Sara found a certain admirable quality to her efforts she had not reflected on before. And that, more than anything, reaffirmed her choice to help him, wanting to help at least one other cat coming from out of the country, even if she couldn’t save them all.

Though it took some weeks, Siegmar slowly started to open up to her, getting over his hesitation and even moving to pet her. Sara leaned into it as much as he felt comfortable with. She couldn’t feel his fur, of course, but he was somewhat willing to touch hers, even commenting on the comparisons and contrasts between the two. Soon, she was spending more time in his room, even going as far as to sleep in there with him, something that he quickly found welcome. Being around other big cats was a constant reminder of what might happen to him, and the fact he was willing to be out and about was a miracle in and of itself. Eventually, he was willing to let his tail out, something Sara teased occasionally but was happy for nonetheless. And his black fur was lovely, Siegmar was thankful that it kept him warm enough so he finally started going shirtless. His pants, too, were forfeit, only a loincloth to hide away his maleness. As much as he lamented it at first, Sara was glad he was willing to forgo them, knowing how uncomfortable they must have been!

Unlike in Germany, Siegmar was technically allowed to leave the sanctuary, and there was some precedence for him to get out and see the country. Having never been to America before, and knowing he might change and never be able to see it from this perspective made it somewhat tempting. But given how uncomfortable he was wearing clothes and too shy in his loin cloth, he opted to stay inside, even on those days when Sara went out to meet with her roommates. Still, he often delighted in asking her about the world around them, the sights and food, and other things Sara had enjoyed while she was human. It wasn’t a sad thing to reflect upon, Sara instead finding she didn’t really miss as many things about her human life as she might have expected. Still, given his tastes, she was able to recommend him some delights, ones that she was happy to fund her roommates to pick up for him. Sara took some delight in watching his reactions to new foods for the first time, wishing for his own sake he had more time as a human.

Eventually, Siegmar felt open to discussing the possibility that he would change all the way, as much as Sara could smell it distressed him. She felt bad for him, though she was at least happy he was coming to terms with having his fur and tail. She wanted to do as best she could to help him get ready for it. Highlighting the best parts seemed as apt a tactic as any, challenging his preconceptions. Fur was itchy in the beginning, of course, but it was soft and warm and felt amazing to brush. He found his tail annoying, but Sara often flagged her own, showing off all the fun it could be to own one. Among other things, a tail was a sign of emotion, confirming Siegmar’s assumptions and helping him ascertain the moods of the others in the residence. Sara had to admit, such moments of discovery were cute, learning about her own feline self all over again as Siegmar explored his own state of being. 

To her delight, Sara was able to showcase parts of her life that appealed to even Siegmar, bringing levity to an otherwise harrowing situation. Strength training? Hardly needed for a cat. Being on all fours? Much faster travel! Losing your hands? Troublesome, but enough humans would still maintain their own and help to design tech to allow paws the ability to access the net and keep people connected. In Sara’s mind, while colors were beautiful, the trade-off for better visual acuity was well worth it. Not to mention an entirely new world opened up through sound and smell! It was impossible to articulate how blind humans were to smell after being almost any other mammal. Sara was fond of teasing him for it, and after a few weeks, Siegmar found himself more amenable to the possibility of changing further. Of course, he was holding onto the hope he would not change, though Sara thought that was naive. She didn’t say much on the matter, rather enjoying his company and the proximity he allowed himself to have. 

Reflecting on Siegmar’s situation brought Sara back to her own changes. It was hard not to think about what it would be like to anticipate one’s changes over a timeframe like Siegmar had to contend with. There was never any doubt in Sara’s mind she was becoming a tiger and had to adapt on the fly to her feline life. Taking the time for introspection made her take a step back from her own life, not having realized the whirlwind of transition she had experienced. It was reaffirming to take a deeper look at her life and see how much being a tiger had improved things. Sure, she missed her hands, but with some of the projects her company had on the horizon, such seemed like a minor inconvenience in the grand scheme of things. And she couldn’t speak, but that was coming, too. Otherwise…what was there to lament from her human life in light of everything she had achieved?

One unexpected realization was how much she loved spending time with Siegmar, getting to know what she was coming to understand was a side of him he didn’t often share. He often spent time with her in person now, finding enjoyment in brushing her with his combs as he went about his own grooming rituals. He was cute, in a human sense as well though that meant little to her feline inclinations. And the way they teased each other was almost…romantic? Not that Sara was seeking anything of the sort, and really enjoyed the teasing and flirting. Surely, if he was to change further, she would allow him the chance to mate. There were some other cats here, though they were either gay or too small a species. Not that she’d really force the issue, but as Sara was coming to understand, whatever in life happened, happened. Still, as Siegmar started getting closer to her, even going as far as to groom her and himself each day, Sara found herself wondering, hoping, if maybe…

Almost a month after arriving at the sanctuary, Siegmar was to learn his fate, for better or for worse. It started with a familiar tingling in his feet, one that he was remiss for telling Sara about. She could smell the change on him the moment he approached, though figured it was his story to tell and didn’t want to push it. But with the blood leaking from the bottoms of his toes, the progression of changes could not be hidden away for long. The moment he showed them off, Sara rubbed against him, reaching down with her muzzle to lap at the claws poking from his toes, and the rough pads that were starting to form. Siegmar was crying at that point, and she let him hold her, coming to terms with the fact his changes would eventually be complete and he was doomed to become a panther in full. 

Over the next few days, the size of his growing paws became troublesome, and Siegmar had some difficulty walking. As his heels stretched back and the balls of his feet expanded beyond what he figured he could handle, Sara was there to help hold him up. Not that she had much experience with balancing herself during mid-change, but some choice advice about balancing forward using his tail helped, at least for a time. Siegmar was quick to lament how often he fell over, finding it rather degrading and using harsh language in his native tongue. Sara was ever patient with him, sensing he was holding back his thoughts on changing. It was somewhat fortuitous that they couldn’t understand each other, meaning their interactions needed to be online and allow time for him to form his words before typing. Still, as angry as he had to be, Siegmar did his best to thank her for her help, and Sara was delighted to smell he was being sincere.

Other changes to come brought back Sara’s advice about vitamins and shots, things that were on hand at the sanctuary, and something Siegmar reluctantly agreed to. He wasn’t looking forward to eating an entire meat diet, not to mention having to eat it raw. But at Sara’s behest, he allowed himself to start eating far more than he had been. After all, Sara had started out as a 62 kg woman and now had become a more than 360 kg tiger. The amount she needed to eat in short order had increased tenfold. Thankfully the kitchens were well stocked for their other feline residents, and Siegmar allowed himself to eat as much as he needed. There was some trepidation that it might expedite his changes, but there was little to be done about it now, and Siegmar relented to the needs in his body. 

His ears were the next thing to change, and with some irritating cracks and pops within his skull, they became oriented toward the top of his head. They looked a little silly, bare of fur as they were, but their shape was becoming steadily feline. Siegmar rather delighted in twitching his ears when he discovered the ability, which was somewhat of a surprise. He often messaged Sara about the sounds he was able to detect that had escaped him before now. Of all the changes, it was refreshing to have one that was better received, and Sara was eager to encourage him, grooming his ears and prompting him to lean into it. It was the first time Siegmar ever allowed himself to be groomed with her tongue. It was something Sara wasn’t inclined to point out, rather happy for him to be into it as much as he could be. 

Siegmar’s greatest challenge thus far came as his face began to push out just slightly. It was troublesome with his neck thickening and his jaw popping painfully. Sara didn’t want to admit how handsome it made him, though he was certainly disappointed, still visible with human features. Sara heard him trying to speak to himself one day, perhaps in German, though to her surprise, she was able to understand it. Walking up to him, Sara tried to speak as well, the two looking at each other with delight. <You can understand me?> He asked, somewhat surprised. 

<You can understand me?> Sara questioned with some confidence, rubbing against him. <You have a nice voice,> she remarked, and his face was human enough that she could see him blush. <It is almost worth it to be able to talk to you like this,> was his reply, and Sara felt the sentiment hit hard in a way that she was not expecting.

The start of his muzzle came with some unfortunate consequences, such as all his teeth loosening from his mouth and making it hard to eat or talk. The same progression had not occurred with her, and the two worried that on the first day, his teeth would not be replaced. Eventually, they did, and such was thankful for his all-meat diet. His tongue, too, was soon to alter, forming the rough barbs that Sara knew were a necessity. Grooming their fur was one thing, but Sara tried to impart its other uses, even the less palatable ones. Cleaning himself, for one, was something cats in the wild did. Siegmar didn’t want to talk about such, but he would surely have to try eventually. And such thoughts drew her to what would change down there as well. Especially what he might be inclined to help her with once he possessed feline stamina…

Not long after his feet had changed, a sudden sneeze brought his attention to the formation of whiskers, nose hunching to get used to them. Sara was quick to rub against them, getting him used to the sensory information they provided. A few days later, his nose, too, was to shift, becoming moist and wider, and Sara stayed beside him to allow him to learn her scent in a feline fashion. It took him some time to parse through the new information, getting to know more about Sara’s body as well as the world around him. Even the odors he found less than palatable were soon investigated, Siegmar getting a crash course on a sense that went largely by the wayside in humans. 

Yet, knowing her next heat was to come soon, Sara felt her own sense of trepidation. While they could consent, they were not anatomically compatible, and she wasn’t sure he would even want to besides. But with the changes to his nose, there was no avoiding him detecting her heat, as much as he didn’t understand it at first. Sara couldn’t help but notice his own lust from the scent, his penis pushing at his loincloth and leaving him somewhat embarrassed. He didn’t seem to notice the source at first, and the confusing arousal left him to withdraw a bit, much to Sara’s chagrin. But that couldn’t last forever, and eventually, he clued in. To Sara’s delight, he even found himself compelled to sniff her backside, something that embarrassed him to no end before he even realized what he was doing. Sara tried to reassure him such was normal for felines, though he still felt it was a point of shame. It left Siegmar to sulk in his room for a day or so, and Sara reluctantly let him be.

It seemed that he had been thinking hard on the subject for some time, even though he kept it to himself. The offer was a little sudden, and Sara hadn’t been expecting it, but it wasn’t unwelcome. <Did you want me to…help you?> Siegmar asked, and Sara was sure he was asking about vaginal penetration. As much as she would have welcomed it, their anatomy didn’t line up in a way. But she was somewhat amused to find out he was referring to one of the dildos she had come to acquire. To be honest, the idea was welcome, Sara not really able to use them on her own. And while the relief wasn’t comparable to sex, it was still enough for her to cum several times, at least until Siegmar found himself too tired to continue. They didn’t talk much about it afterward, and Sara didn’t want to let on how much she could have kept going long after his arms became sore. But it was a start, albeit an awkward one. 

Emerging the next day, Sara was a little surprised to see how much his eyes had started to alter, swelling in their sockets somewhat. They were a lovely shade of green now, and while Siegmar lamented the loss of many familiar colors, Sara was quick to take him on a tour of the facilities at night. Hesitant at first, given his lack of balance, Siegmar decided to go with it, and Sara couldn’t wait to see his reaction. While his brain hadn’t fully developed and his night vision was inferior to her own, the contrast was as startling for him as it had been for her. The two of them enjoyed looking out into the city, the room lit up to them like it was early morning. 

Not all the changes were welcome, of course, as Sara had been expecting. The worst was yet to come with the loss of his hands and any excitement Siegmar had over what was happening quickly waned. Sara was there for him, trying her best to reassure him that it was for the best. Hands weren’t good for walking or jumping or the like, and he was already used to his hind paws. But as his fingers contracted and his fingernails popped out for the start of feline claws, it was hard for him not to lament his fate. Rather like before, Sara helped show him all the things she was still able to do with her paws. It took some days for them to fully form, but she was able to work with him through the worst of it. Thankfully, Siegmar was eventually able to come to terms with what had happened, though it would take some reflection to truly accept things as they were. 

Of course, Sara was well aware when Siegmar’s cock started to change, as much as he wanted to keep it from her. It was harder for him to wear his loin cloth and with his penis retracted into a feline sheath, there was little reason to do so in front of the other residents. Naturally, he was a little ashamed of its size, but Sara was eager to show him how useful it was. And while she wasn’t in heat any longer, she figured there was little reason not to let him know what she thought of him. 

<You would want me to mate with you?> He asked in that rather forward manner Sara had come to love. Having someone who got down to business was a lifesaver, truly. And given their newly formed bond, she was sure he would be amenable to the idea, at least as much as she came to hope. 

<I would never assume or pressure or anything. But if you want to…heat gets annoying and there are no other takers,> Sara explained, nuzzling him for effect. Siegmar seemed a little hesitant over the idea, but given the smell she detected on him one day, he had been eager to at least use his limited flexibility to tend to his own needs. 

Over the next several days and weeks, the major changes to his body left Siegmar largely an invalid. His hips, shoulders, and belly were all in flux, and Siegmar couldn’t manage to walk very far, much less tend to his own needs. Sara remained with him regularly, calling for aid when he needed it, helping to bring his food, and nuzzling his changing body. He even let her groom him with her tongue, even those parts of his face that were just now growing fur. He could no longer stand, of course, but that was hardly noticed with everything else changing from a human into a panther. His face had pushed out into a muzzle, he was able to eat raw meat, and he could crawl somewhat until his body was changed enough that his new posture became permanent.

The first several days post-change were trying, though as she had been, it seemed Siegmar was simply happy he could walk and function. And the power and grace of his fully changed body was something for him to experience, even if he had been reluctant at first. Sara was eager to take him into the main area for practice, jumping from platform to platform as a way of demonstration. Everything was so new and bright for him, and Sara even had the chance to test the limits of her own power, something she had been largely too busy to really experiment with. It left her more in touch with herself, another avenue of enjoyment in being a cat.

Having spent much of her free time aiding with Siegmar’s transition, Sara had to leave him by himself for a while, able to tell he was lonely when she did return. She was proud of his progress, far quicker than many of those she’d heard of in similar circumstances. At least he didn’t have to worry about citizenship or needing to return to Germany, given his Changed status would not allow him to return home regardless. As much as she would have been willing to marry him or help him acquire a green card, such was unnecessary. Besides, official labels didn’t mean much, Sara was happy to explore where their relationship went in the future. 

Of course, some weeks after his change had finished, the inevitability of his need came to a head, and Sara took the chance to make her move. While Siegmar’s hesitance before was understandable, the presence of a female in heat had a clear effect on his anatomy. It seemed to matter little that they were not the same species, given how close they were regardless. Sara could almost taste Siegmar’s arousal, and if she was being honest with herself, she would have allowed herself to be taken in the most aggressive way possible. But his hesitance, be it for shame over his form or his inexperience with a woman, required a more delicate touch, in Sara’s opinion. 

Not sure how to approach the situation, Sara took to staying in Siegmar’s presence as much as possible, not even bothering to leave his room when it was time to sleep. Rubbing against him often, and even going so far as to tease him by lifting her tail and showing off her tigress cunt was something she felt was natural. It was a wonder he could hold out against the temptation, the conflict in his mind perhaps maddening. He didn’t say much on the subject, however, as much as he didn’t leave her side. Siegmar might not have realized quite how he was reacting, but given his increasingly feline inclinations, Sara was primed to believe he would come around. It would do him some good to get laid, in her opinion!

It was one afternoon in Sara’s room that he finally made the attempt. As usual, she was lying around, tail flicking over her rump and wafting her heat around. In truth, she was getting a little annoyed, having a male to help her so close but not one that was mentally up to the task. Yet, the feeling of a nose against her nethers sparked a small bit of joy, and Sara couldn’t help but chuff out a <Finally!> 

With a few curious licks that felt simply divine, Siegmar moved to mount, only just realizing his struggles from a human angle. <It is…much smaller than I am used to…> he admitted, somewhat sheepishly. Men. Honestly! Still, Sara was inclined to give him some benefit. Not only was his cock smaller than a human’s but he was the much smaller cat in the interaction.

<Doesn’t matter! Your cat side knows what to do! Put it in!> Sara demanded, and with that, Siegmar moved to mount her, his instincts at least finding the right posture to work his way in. <I can’t…Oh…> Siegmar started before his penis sank home. It was likely more a matter of luck than anything, but the feeling was enough to spur on his arousal. Before the two of them were fully prepared, Siegmar was thrusting, and Sara was growling incoherently from her pleasure. 

Unlike the tiger she had mated with before, the panther’s smaller spines were somewhat better than she had expected. They were not large enough to pain her, but their stimulation was just as pleasant, giving credence to the adage ‘Bigger isn’t always better.’ And Sara was there for it, calling out, <Oh, this is good! I want you to cum in me, big boy!>

<I…fuck…need…need to…> Came Siegmar’s trailing voice, his thrusts increasing as his end drew near. 

Sara went to call back and encourage him, but she was not expecting to feel a panther’s jaw teasing the back of her neck before he bit into her, making her roar in pain. No sooner had he done so than the tremors of orgasm shot through Sara’s being, enough to make her shudder and coax the male to cum. She couldn’t feel it, of course, and was only sure Siegmar was done as he pulled out, panting. Given their difference in species, there was no reason for them not to enjoy bestial sex without protection, something she certainly had considered.

Panting for a moment, Siegmar finally looked down and timidly asked, <How did I do?> as though figuring he had not been up to the task at hand. 

<You did amazing…> Sara said, reaching up with her larger body and rubbing against him, purring all the while. <I could get used to this…>

She cuddled him like that for a moment in a way that was very much feline. However, with her heat in its present state, it did not take her long to go again. After a few minutes, she turned around, presenting her sex as Siegmar looked at her with some confusion. <So soon?> He asked, though Sara could smell that his cock was once more ready. Not that she wanted to push him or anything, but such was the way mating went in big cat species. He would figure things out soon enough, but for now, she was content to say, <Oh, we’re just getting started…>

It was literally a couple of days later when the pair emerged, the scent of sex a part of their being as much as their own musky feline odors. Not that there was any hiding what they did to other felines, even their human caretakers. It should have been embarrassing, though it was part of being cats, and Sara figured there was no shame in adult activities within the confines of their own room. Better than being heard out in the streets like actual big cats mating, in Sara’s opinion!

Having not bothered to emerge even for food during Sara’s heat, the two were a little surprised to walk into the light from the overhead room, blinking several times as they came to their senses. It took some moments for Sara to realize that someone had come to rope off that part of the sanctuary, and walking around it, she left out a chuff as she read the words on a sign. Area Closed For Private Party. <Remind me to thank whoever did that,> Sara mused, moving to rub Siegmar’s head as they walked out to get something to eat for the first time in days. 

******

The next several months were some of the most exceptional in Sara’s life, perhaps not simply during her tenure as a tiger, either. Her budding relationship with Siegmar was no small part of that, the two of them finding more and more in common with each other. Best yet, it brought a building sense of contentment that she had not been expecting but welcomed nonetheless. They had quickly decided on an exclusive relationship, not simply for each helping the other out in their times of need. Each felt a certain comfort with the other’s presence, not wanting to be too far away from each other. While it was technically very uncat-like behavior, it was something that settled well with them nonetheless. 

Naturally, while he hated the changes at first, Siegmar had come to admire the feline form, in no small part due to Sara’s company. The less palatable parts of being a cat, such as the frequent grooming, having to clean one’s backside with one’s tongue, and eating only raw meat took a little time for him to get used to. It was rather amusing how prudish he could be about such even after the changes had concluded. The frequent sex helped, of course, something he had been shy about at first, more so going along with his new instincts. But he soon came to love it, even eagerly awaiting to smell when she was coming into heat. Even during those periods without it, Sara was willing to entertain sex, something she hadn’t really partaken in often in her human life but something that sat well with her now. She had all the time in the world, and in her constant rush to make the world better for everyone else, it finally felt like she was doing something for herself. 

Things in the world were developing rather rapidly, and with it, Sara found herself at the forefront of her various ventures. Of course, she still talked to her roommates, being business partners (as much as they jokingly referred to themselves as employees). The workload was getting to be a bit much on the saddle bag front, and while Sara wasn’t inclined to raise the price for those who needed one, she did take a smaller cut for herself, wanting to make sure Sky was well compensated for their work. Mike, too, was busy, having been offered a job by Sara’s company, working on a number of technological ventures. Taylor was working full-time at the sanctuary, the world’s foremost big cat chef, from what he had practiced on Sara. Something her feline taste buds were rather thankful for!

Among the other services she was able to provide for her fellow felines was proper health care from experienced zoo personnel, now that the pandemic was starting to wind down and more people were allowed to safely enter the facility. Everything from grooming to nail trimming to vaccinations to dental care was all included, and Sara’s avocation to get those services covered for the Changed was instrumental. It drew the ire of people who demanded their own dental services be covered, to which Sara would always say, <Why not both?> It never made sense that such a rich country couldn’t afford such basic services. And with so many Changed in society now requiring specialized care, people were starting to rethink the way health care was done, and for the better. 

Better perhaps was the official opening of a public park in her city for Changed persons to congregate outside. It promoted itself as a place where the Changed could act as their animal selves outside without judgment. While the residents of the feline sanctuary were largely provided for, the ability to go outside and interact with others could not be passed up. The buzz on the forms was almost palatable, and Sara found her own excitement growing at the idea of meeting some of those former people in person. To her delight, there was a large enough Changed community in the region that it was being built close enough she could walk there. Their town was an epicenter of sorts for a variety of species, and several were planning on moving here once adequate facilities were built for them. As much space as the cat sanctuary gave her, it was a nice reprieve to have somewhere to go out. There were logistical issues, of course, given society at large harbored conflicting viewpoints on Changed persons. But the first time attending with Siegmar allowed them to meet others of all different species, glad that their animal inflections went beyond their new forms, and they all talk to each other. Within those that visited on a regular basis, the pair soon found some friends, expanding their social circles in a way that had only been online before now. 

Of course, such a public site would be a good venture for Sara to set up some of her side ventures, such as onsite saddle bag sales. It was something Sky was working hard on getting enough ready in a variety of sizes. Sara was eager to wear one and show it off. She was, thankfully, given permission to solicit, and many of the Changed were eager to come up and see what usefulness it might have for them. Having come bearing added incentives, Sara was happy to reach in and pull out some beef jerky for those interested. Even bones and toys lined the back pockets, and many human helpers were present to provide e-transfers, or at least put their names down for online orders for those who couldn’t carry cash. That was something Sara was quick to remind her clients that could be solved by buying one of her bags!

Given her penchant to put herself out there, Sara, being one of the few Changed tigers, became a celebrity of sorts in her own right. Sara was rather exuberant in introducing herself to any fan that came up, almost roaring <Hi! It’s so nice to meet you! Thank you so much!> Such wasn’t always inclined to go as well as she’d hoped. However, resorting to her tried and true technique of lying down on her back and exposing her belly was something that went a long way toward bridging that initial gap. 

At first, it was flattering, but not too long after the novelty had worn off and Sara found herself annoyed. She was keen to humor any admirers as best as time would allow, so long as they were polite enough. Naturally, her signature was something coveted, and not wanting to get ink on her paws, she had come up with the idea to chomp down on a piece of cardboard, the indentation unique to her alone. As much as she wanted to charge for her signatures, money wasn’t much of a concern these days. Hell, much of her excess was going to charities or to help fund the sanctuary or things like it. Not least of which was the funding of big cat-friendly trees at a local park she frequented. They made the perfect make-shift scratching posts on the run, Sara preferring to have her claws trimmed like a cat would and not artificially. 

Her company’s research endeavors were soon to come to fruition as well, especially in the development of a collar that would allow animal vocalizations to translate as human speech. They were in the trial stages still, and the amount of data they needed to hold made them prone to overheating when used for long periods. But the early results were promising, and Sara was sure they would be on the market within the next few months. Sara had dubbed the project ‘Digital Thumbs’ though the name was not exactly to stick just yet. Still, the ability of the Changed to communicate directly with humans was a game changer in the process of reintegrating them into society at large. And she was eager to put forth whatever aid, time-wise and financially, to make it work. 

And, some months later, her company finally came through with the prototype for a translating collar. It used the wearer’s throat movements and inflections to trigger an automated voice, and the first trial run was a little glitchy, to say the least. Given Sara was the poster tiger for the tech, some of her friends at the park joked she was becoming a ‘Fat Cat’ when taking into account her stipend. It was fine enough, and Sara knew how important her work was for the community at large. They were able to keep the costs of the collars down so that they became part of the standard package for Changed people. They were unruly and a little slow, but the fact they could be equipped to almost any Changed person with little inconvenience made them highly coveted. 

Of course, such endeavors came with a significant stipend, more than Sara could feasibly spend. She was generous with her money, though she had more than enough saved that she could live happily. Tigers had little need for human luxuries, of course. Even with the myriad of things that came to market for the Changed community as a whole, Sara often wondered what might be a fitting expenditure for herself. Taylor once jokingly suggested she take a spa day, though the more she thought about it, the more such a luxury seemed to appeal to her. Of course, finding someone willing to do so for a tiger was trying. Still, with the amount of money she promised to pay, someone with experience with animals was willing to answer her ad, and she eventually booked her appointment.

Much to the surprise of those at the sanctuary, Sara returned after her appointment looking particularly smug. <I take it went well?> Siegmar asked, a little surprised.

Looking like the cat’s cream, Sara simply responded, <Best 500 dollar transaction I’ve ever been involved in!>

<That seems a little low,> was his response, to which Sara simply grinned, strutting around the sanctuary as though the proudest tiger in existence. Even Siegmar was starting to get impatient by this point, so Sara relented by admitting it. <Oh, it was fair. That’s what they paid me and I wasn’t going to ask for any more!> To which a stunned Siegmar was left silent. Sara was left to explain that for the therapist it was such a novelty she was willing to pay Sara instead! Best of all, she was happy to report that Sara was apparently a “wonderful fluff”. 

Being somewhat of a celebratory not only to Changed persons but people interested in their goings on, Sara found her attention often taken several times a day as she went out and about. But now it came with her collar, such interactions often became a question and answer session. It was something Sara loathed at first but came to understand was part of her new spokestiger position. And some of the questions, she found, actually made her think.

“What’s the thing you miss most about being human?” Someone asked, a little bluntly, but Sara was willing to rise to the challenge. 

“Three. Months. In. My. Hands. Not. Being. Able. To. Use. My. PC. Sucked.” Sara replied in that monotone robotic voice that the collar allowed. It was better than nothing, to be sure, and she hoped within the next year or so, there would be a better model on the market. 

“Two. Years. Later. Though? My. Tits. I. Had. Nice. Ones. Don’t. Get. Me. Wrong. I. Like. What. I. Am. Now. But. Boobs.” Sara managed to say, much to laughs from everyone gathered. It was a little personal but it seemed to get the point across, and Sara was fine enough with oversharing. It was all part of being an animal, after all, and she was comfortable with her body and her life. 

And with everything she had going for her, Sara could only harbor excitement for what life had in store. There had been a part of her that was worried about having only the life span of a tiger, but by all early signs, Changed persons had a potentially much longer life span than their animal forms, perhaps closer to their human selves. For the most part, the population at large was starting to accept the presence of Changed persons, treating them as equals rather than second-class citizens. Her relationship with Siegmar was growing stronger, and while she didn’t know what the future would hold, she was happy to be with him and could tell he felt the same way. Sara could hardly find fault in her form or lot in life, and in so many ways, being turned into a tiger was the best thing that happened to her…