Page 34 of Ellie 3

Marlon

We mobilized the pack to help out because we could and were blessed while others were suffering and losing loved ones. That was the only reason. It was what we could do, and as people who had received help—had more than others—we should. I didn’t force anyone as the Alpha of London and my people knew that.

There were just a lot of genuinely good people in our pack which was why I was always proud of them.

Except my eldest who was supposed to take over was whining about having to give up his weekend for people he didn’t know. I couldn’t hide my disgust which finally got through to him. I also noticed he didn’t thank the warlock we now employed who handled the portal for us.

Where did I go so wrong with Myung? Why did it take me so long to notice who he really was?

I made sure to check in with the military and show the emergency passes we had to visit, everything cleared. We got them faster than others because of Ha-joon and he must have let others know. Our showing up and the prospect of more help let us know how bad things were getting fast.

“Alpha, thank you for coming,” a man who jogged over in casual clothes said. “Dr. Clark told us he reached out and whatyou would be best to handle. He’s in surgery and will find you later.” He waited until I nodded. “We have too many uninjured—”

“Ha-joon told us,” I interrupted. “We’re providing safe comfort for the uninjured to come to terms with what happened and wait for word on their families if they were directly involved.”

“Yes, exactly,” he agreed, relief in his eyes that he wouldn’t have to spell it out for me. “We’re clearing out the parking lot, but that will take time because it’s—it will take time. For now, if you can set up the start on the grassy areas along the patient parking over there, that would be great. You have to be careful of anthills.”

I blinked at the man like he’d grown another head. He quickly explained how the Southern states like Georgia had fire ants that weren’t like ants we were used to. They bit and those bites burned, even supes. Some had severe reactions and to take it seriously.

So basically, we needed to start by searching the area for these ant hills and getting rid of them.

“I’ve got it,” a soldier told the man when he got flustered and clearly had more to do. “I’m from around here originally.” The soldier nodded and took over, leading the way. “The fire ants are no joke, but I wouldn’t want to worry about them if I’ve never seen them.”

“I would think an anthill is an anthill and would be hard to find in the grass.”

“Yeah, you won’t miss them once you see the fire ant ones,” he drawled.

I couldn’t hide my shock when I saw the massive anthill. I was actually a bit disgusted that it was allowed to get that big and their landscapers or maintenance didn’t notice? When they were dangerous?

The soldier seemed to understand where my head was. “They said the grass was mowed last week. That’s a week’s hill. I’ve seen them three times as big.” He nodded and then waved me back before stomping on the hill and jumping back.

My eyes went wide as large, red ants camepouringout of the mound in a way that I’d never seen before. “I feel like I’m in a Discovery Channel wildlife in the jungle special, lad.”

“Yeah, they’re bad. So are the black widow spiders,” he drawled. “I’ll get a few guys who are used to this and we’ll rope the areas off. It takes a while for the poison they use to kill the little fuckers. But we’ll get you spots that are safe.”

I thanked him and then made sure everyone in the pack saw what I had, most having the same reaction I did.

“Ha-joon had to move to some weird area with biting bugs and now we have to visit,” Myung grumbled.

I gave him a look to shut it. We weren’t there for Ha-joon but to help.

We worked for hours, and luckily their military and someone from the hospital were managing our help because I was mostly distracted with Myung. Normally, my focus was solely being Alpha and handling too much. This was a rare time I could observe him while just doing what I was told.

And I didn’t like what I was seeing… Or hearing. Not at all.

To make my day more trying, the Paris pack had done the same as we had to help. That was great given the amount of people and chaos, but their Alpha was a pretentious git who boasted about being the wealthiest and best pack in the world.

According towho?I could declare whatever I wanted as well. That didn’t make it true.

Yes, of course they were towards the top, I would never debate that. Our pack was as well, but I never, noteversaid we were the top. There was no actual ranking or scale. We couldfigure out which pack had the most income like cities did but… Why?

Who the fuck cared? Spend that time doing better by your pack and the world.

“Good to see you here,” I greeted, nodding my head to his mate to be polite. “They’re well organized and our contacts have been appreciative. Hopefully, more will join in aiding with both of our packs here.” I turned to get back to what I was doing, thinking I’d handled that well and there wasn’t much else to say given what was going on and what was happening.

“I hear your youngest said he’s going to take over, which is funny because your eldest is boasting that London will become the top when he takes over,” the Alpha said loudly.

I told my wolf to settle and chuckled tiredly. “Nothing is decided, and if Myung was being childish to care about who is top dog when that never really matters in life to anyone paying attention, it just proves none of my children are ready to take over. Which is fine given I’m in my prime and they’re still young. But today is about helping people.”

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