A few hours later, Tommy and Merton awoke. After a short talk about what to do if Alyssa showed up again along with a talk about what to call Tommy's new ability, the boys decided on calling it the crescent claw because of the shape the blades of light took. Weeks went by and Alyssa never appeared, not even at school; which prompted Becky to call Merton worried about her 'friend'.
Everyone at Pleasantville University could tell the difference in the two boys' relationship. Sure enough, within a week of being together every friend Tommy and Merton had made knew they were together.
They hadn't gone farther than kissing but things were rapidly progressing. Tommy actually wanted to start looking at engagement rings but knew it was too soon to ask Merton to be his mate.
The few weeks to Christmas passed quickly. The boys spent Christmas Eve together and exchanged their gifts to each other in private. Tommy gave Merton a necklace with a wolf paw charm. Merton gave Tommy a wristwatch with a phases of the moon motif. They spent Christmas day with their families. They split the rest of their break between each other and their families.
Tommy and Merton went on dates at least once a week. It didn't matter if it was a stroll through the park, dinner and a movie, or even a night in cuddling on the couch and talking. Tommy found that while he had slept well on his own, the best sleep he ever got was when Merton was lying in his arms as they went to sleep. The boys' families were still clueless about the shift in their relationship; however, Tommy and Merton had talked about when to tell their families about their love. Both agreed to wait at least until the end of the school year, giving them time to be together without their families' interference.
Although Tommy had developed a new habit, he would leave love bites on Merton's neck when they made out. This new habit was also what caused Tommy and Merton to have their first big fight when the weather started to warm up and the coats were discarded and the short-sleeved shirts began making appearances.
It started as Merton was getting ready for class one early almost spring morning. He had just gotten out of the shower when he noticed something in the mirror. Tommy had bitten a love bite collar around the base of Merton's neck.
"TOMMY!" Merton cried out. "Get your wolfy hide in here this instant."
Tommy, thinking something was happening ran into the bathroom, "What is it Merton?" Tommy glanced around looking for the danger.
"What is all THIS?" Merton screeched while pointing to his neck.
Tommy looked away sheepishly while stammering out, "W…well it's to let everyone know you're taken."
"Tommy, I know that your instincts tell you to mark me to keep other interested parties away but no one is interesting in me but you. That means you need to stop marking me every time you get a chance."
"Merton, you can be extremely blind sometimes," Tommy remarked when Merton had stopped speaking. "When people here found out about us dating they became interested in who you are and what drew me to you. My senses are enhanced remember? I can smell lust coming off people that look at you and these last few days it's gotten worse because you're not bundled in eight layers of clothes."
Merton was stunned, people actually found him attractive? Merton's head spun at that thought but he shook that stunning statement away. "Tommy, I'm with you, I love you and if someone tried to entice me away from you it wouldn't work."
Tommy thought for a second and then said, "I'll try to tone back my instincts but you have to admit that you like that I bite a little."
Merton finished his morning routine, seemingly ignoring Tommy's words but as he walked out of the bathroom he casually threw out, "Tommy, I love that you bite. I just wish you would be quit so blatant about it."
Merton grabbed his books and before he walked out the door, he grabbed the back of Tommy's neck and pulled him down into a heartfelt kiss.
The boys went through their respective days with no problems. They fell asleep that night not knowing the danger they would soon face.
Beside a hidden pond deep in the woods outside Pleasantville, a figure stood with its arm stretched toward the water, a charm hanging from its wrist. Words in an old language rang out, "Aquam in manu servorum meorum," as the charm began to glow. The water in the pond began to shine as a figure emerged from its depths to stand with others of its kind behind the one who created it.
