So this chapter isn't gonna be nearly as long as the first one was – but oh well, at least it's an update.

Hope ya'll [the few readers of this story] like it.

Updated:_/_/_

…

It had been a week since Merton had heard from Tommy, or had seen the wolf. He didn't know what could have happened, but he had been doing some research during his free time, trying to understand what his friend was going through, but he wasn't having much luck.

The only conclusion he could come to was that the wolf had gotten some otherworldly attachment to him and saw him as a potential mate.

Which was, on one hand, ridiculous. On the other… completely plausible. It made perfect sense to the Goth – he was the only one who fully understood what Tommy was going through, had been by his side since the beginning, and took care of him and helped him when he needed it.

The Wolf wanted Merton in a way that neither Merton or Tommy could ever understand, but Merton would try – how else could he help his friend when he needed it the most?

…

Tommy had returned home, his parents worriedly excited at his return. He had made a lame excuse that he had gone on a spur-of-the-moment camping trip with some friends and that it had lasted longer than they thought.

His parents weren't complete idiots, but they bought his story; only his brother looked at him like something was off. While the adult Dawkins went to work, their pride and joy home safe and sound, Dean called Tommy to him.

"Come chat with your big brother," he said, eyes staying on his TV as he talked. Tommy sighed but sat down anyway; maybe his brother could make him feel better. "Tell me Tommy, where were you, really?"

"You wouldn't believe me."

"Is this because you're the Pleasantville Werewolf?" Tommy looked at Dean, who was still watching TV, occasionally changing the channel; his face was impassive, but there was a hint of a smile on his lips.

"You know? How?"

"You were Mr. Popular and got everything he wanted; why else would you suddenly begin hanging out with the town freak?"

"Merton is not-"

"Calm down Tommy, I'm just stating the obvious. Anyone who's seen any supernatural TV show ever could see what happened – popular teen changes into something supernatural, finds the supernatural know-it-all and befriends them so they can help understand what plagues them. Classic TV scenario right there – you should sell your show to Fox or CW; it'd be a hit I bet. Could get at least 3 seasons." Tommy shook his head as Dean smiled at him.

"How long have you know?"

"Well, I figured it out not too long after it happened I think – mom was doing laundry and I heard her complain about all the excess hair on your sheets lately, and dad was in the kitchen talking about how the Werewolf had scared some locals lately, and I just put two and two together."

"You're a lot smarter than people give you credit for." Dean nodded, his eyes still watching the screen in front of him.

"That I am little bro. Now, what happened?" Tommy shifted a bit in his seat and tried to think of what to say.

"…The wolf wanted a break and just kinda took control." Dean let out a whistle and nodded.

"That can happen – in every werewolf movie the wolf eventually breaks out and wants to enjoy the world every now and then. Usually it happens when the wolf finds it mate though – sometimes the poor human has no idea what's happening until it's too late." Tommy squirmed again and looked away. "What are you telling me now?" Tommy opened his mouth, only for a scent to waft past his nose; he heard the screech of tires and the slamming of a door, yet all of these were miles away.

Merton had just gotten home.

Without meaning to, Tommy let out a whine as he shifted some more.

"Tommy?"

"What do you know about werewolves and their mates?" Dean actually turned off the TV and looked Tommy in the eyes.

"What do you want to know?"

"Everything."

…

Merton entered his Lair, slipped off his jacket, fed Rasputin a mouse, and moved to his computer, booting it up.

He opened a folder he had filled with scribbled notes and printed sheets, trying to figure out how to explain what was going on with his friend.

He made some more notes as he began to look, losing himself in the research – before he knew it, there was a steady rasp at his door.

"Come in," he said, not looking up as he continued to scan through articles on his computer; no one visited him except for one person. When the person didn't come in though, he got up and opened it, surprised to find, not Tommy, but his brother.

"Merton!" Dean said cheerfully, making Merton take a step back as the large man worked his way into his room. "Nice digs you got here." Dean looked at him as if he was waiting for him to speak now.

"…You're out of your chair," Merton finally spoke, making Dean chuckle and nod.

"Yeah, Tommy went kind of catatonic on me, so I took it upon myself to come see you."

"What happened?! Is he alright?!"

"He's fine – we just had a brotherly chat."

"About what?" Merton asked, fearing he already knew the answer.

"About him being the werewolf. Of course, I already knew."

"You did?"

"I did. And then he told me about these last few weeks of his."

"He did?!" Merton was surprised that his voice came out in a squeak at that, only getting a chuckle from the older teen.

"He did….you know what you are to him I suppose?"

"Of course…I'm his best friend."

"Now Merton-"

"Okay! I caught the signs. I'm his…. Mate," Merton said, grumbling the last word.

"Good Goth," Dean said, making Merton fume a bit. "Anyway, once I pointed it out to Tommy what he was experiencing, he went kind of… rigid. He'll be over tomorrow I think. Okay?"

"….Okay."

"Night Merton."

"Night…" Merton said, watching the large man lumber out of his home with a steady step.

With a perplexed look on his face, Merton turned to his notes, writing down a note to himself in big letters.

'I AM THE MATE OF A WEREWOLF'

…

Tommy sat in Dean's chair, thinking about what he had learned about himself.

His wolf saw Merton as its mate – it had already practically claimed him.

What could Tommy do now? He knew that he couldn't very well keep himself away from Merton – he was his best friend after all. And he couldn't stop the wolf from being near Merton – he was a part of him.

So, what could Tommy do?

He would just have to learn to live with it.

Even though the wolf wanted Merton, he didn't.

Tommy was surprised when a low growl ripped from his throat; that had been all wolf there, no conscious part of Tommy could stop it.

The wolf wanted Merton.

And that was something he was going to have to live with.

…

So, there we go…

I hope ya'll liked it & thanks for reading!

-JustMe133