Murphy's room - Top Dog

[Brigid Plunder]

"Feeding crazy metabolisms, their specialty." Brigid chuckles and makes her way out.

[Hannah Murphy]

((after the cafeteria))

Murphy opens the door to let Vertie in.

"Sorry for the mess," Murphy mumbles.

[Vertie Easley]

"Part pack rat I see." She moved some books and found a seat. "Ok, now do you want theories, or shall I take a look?"

[Hannah Murphy]

"Like books," Murphy says with a shrug. She takes a seat on the floor.

"I want to hear what you think."

[Vertie Easley]

"It's very personal, but I think you and Theresa are missing something. As much as you love one another there's a switch that may not have been flipped within your wolf brain. You may not have bonded fully and Brigid is very lovely as a person and as a wolf. Just a theory. Jealousy."

[Hannah Murphy]

Murphy's reaction is immediate and dramatic. She looks like the idea nauseates her and Vertie can tell with or without her powers that the idea of being with Brigid romantically appeals to Murphy as much as the idea of being with Gar might appeal to Vertie.

[Vertie Easley]

Vertie smiled. "I like books too and like I said, just a theory. If not, then the only one with an answer is you. Why would you be so defensive and possessive of your chosen Alpha receiving praise from another?"

[Hannah Murphy]

"Brigid isn't my alpha," Murphy says. "She's my...friend?"

Murphy frowns. Something about that doesn't feel right. She thinks for a second.

"Worried. Don't trust Haley. Not one of us," Murphy says. "Don't want Brigid getting hurt."

[Vertie Easley]

"Your sister and Haley's a pup. You want less risk of this curse getting out of control? Lead, the wolves will follow you, they want to follow you. You as alpha will give them an added level of control and peace. As it is, Theresa's already left because she'll follow no one but you. I can help with your emotions, help you feel differently towards non-pack so that they aren't a direct threat in your mind. Help you feel slower to become all out defensive and aggresive."

[Hannah Murphy]

"Don't know if I should lead," Murphy admits. "They're...different. Split. Don't know how to deal with that."

[Vertie Easley]

"They're new. For magical animals suddenly shoved into human minds and vice versa, they are doing really well so far, really. They need someone experienced to show them the way. You've lived longest with the curse, Stephanie's the next choice, but magical wolves and 'natural' wolves are different even to me and she's better as a teacher then a leader. You deal by being the example. You are the one they want, being an alpha is being mother and father. Comforter and protector, guardian and guide. Family by choice. They need someone to run to, someone to hold them and scold them if need be. Does that help?"

[Hannah Murphy]

"Little overwhelming," Murphy says.

[Vertie Easley]

"A little less if you remember they want you. That's less then most real parents get from their biological kids. You are a good person, you've got this animal in your head, it's a good one too, but something is trying to make it into something, I don't know, something maybe bad, maybe good. Don't know, but we are your friends, your family, your pack. We stand with you, for you, beside you and behind you. You have more sisters now, capable sisters, sisters who can and will fight to protect you and each other."

[Hannah Murphy]

"What if I fail them?" Murphy asks quietly. "What if...I can't be who they need me to be?"

[Vertie Easley]

"You will fail if you don't even try. You are already a big sister. Be that for the others as well." She smiled. "Confidence. You already care for them. Follow that, trust them, let them trust you and trust yourself. Packs are interdependent. They care for each other, work together. There is no Alpha without a pack, there is no pack without a Alpha. All connected, all depending on each other."

[Hannah Murphy]

Murphy nods, "Been alone a long time."

[Vertie Easley]

"Now, you don't have to be. Wolves are strongest when they are together."

[Hannah Murphy]

"Yes. We are," Murphy says.

"Thank you."

[Vertie Easley]

"Anytime. Now, we should go rescue Brigid from Haley." Vertie winked.

[Hannah Murphy]

"Good idea,' Murphy says. She stands up.

[Vertie Easley]

Vertie stands and nods to the door. "I'm right behind you."