Grant gave him a sour expression, although he smiled. "Well, maybe not a dozen."
Ellie lifted the child and kissed him on the top of his head. "You be good for Mr. Alpha here." Benji waved his arms happily as he was handed up to Grant. Ellie stood and shook out her pants. She began her search with the plants closest to the playground equipment. There were so many different species it looked as though the prince had spared no expense. She considered herself something of amateur botanist, but there were things growing here she couldn't identify. She made a mental note to ask Magnus if he had an inventory of what had been imported.
When she couldn't find anything around the playground that would have an adverse effect on the children, she widened her search. Slowly, she made her way around the play area, moving farther and farther away.
When her back began to ache from bending over so much, she realized how far she had walked away from their picnic site. There was no way any child could have wandered off this far with how closely they were guarded.
Feeling slightly disappointed she hadn't been able to find anything, she made her way back to where Grant and Benji waited for her. When she reached the edge of the tablecloth, she saw Grant was feeding Benji soft bits of potato.
The boy had yellow smeared from cheek to cheek, around his nose, and down his shirt. When Grant heard her approach, he looked up, his eyes laughing. "He likes potato salad."
"I can see that." She shook her head and reached into the baby bag, taking out the baby wipes. She cleaned him up the best she could. Grant laughed at her efforts to keep the baby clean. Together, the three of them had lunch, and it was one of the happiest afternoons she'd spent in a very, very long time.
All too soon, she realized it was time to go back. She was glad they had taken time out for them; it had been a welcome break, especially considering everything that had come to light. Watching Grant pack up the picnic utensils, she saw there was something different about him. He didn't seem as guarded, as if revealing his past had somehow freed him in some way.
After dropping the picnic basket off with Sebastian they made their way back up to Level Six, Ellie was surprised to see there were people waiting for them. Unit Commander Aiden McKenzie, his mate, Meryn, and Ryuu, her squire, stood by the tunnel opening.
Aiden nodded at Grant. "Do you have a moment?" he asked.
"Of course," Grant replied. The two men, with Benji in tow walked off to one side.
Meryn stepped around Ellie to stare up at her head.
"What?" she asked.
"Nothing."
"My ears aren't big, Meryn."
"I know; I was just checking."
Ellie smiled at the quirky woman. "I want to thank you for defending Grant. I know that he felt better when he realized someone in the room was in his corner."
Meryn shrugged and jerked a thumb back to where the men stood. "That's what they're talking about now. Aiden wanted to let him know that if he had any questions about being an Alpha Born, he could go to him." Meryn scuffed the toe of her sneaker over her other shoe. "I know how Grant feels. I can't imagine leading people."
Ellie frowned. "Don't you though?"
Meryn shook her head. "I have moments of brilliance where I dictate and tell people what to do, but then I have to retreat to my Batcave where everyone leaves me alone. I kinda hate people, and to lead, you have to care, and I don't." Behind them, the same abrasive tunnel escort appeared, having completed an escort job. He stepped onto the ledge. "Look what we have here: a cow and a pig." Ellie was surprised the man could speak at all; she was sure Grant had broken his jaw. Even with vampiric healing, one half of his face was still bruised.
Meryn released a tiny growl. Ellie noticed the tunnel escort had kept his voice low enough so that neither Aiden nor Grant could hear him.
Meryn stepped in front of Ellie, her arms crossed at her chest. "You must want to go net surfing again."
The tunnel escort sneered at her. "Your butch friend is not here this time. Just you and the timid little piggy, oink, oink."
"You better shut up before I punch you in the throat," Meryn threatened.
The tunnel escort laughed. "As if you could reach my throat, you half-grown mongrel."
"You're right, I can't reach your throat." Before he could see what she was about to do, she swung her foot back and kicked him square in the groin. Groaning, he collapsed onto the floor.
Meryn waddled over and picked up his ankle. When she started to pull him toward the tunnel opening, he barely budged. She tugged harder to no avail. She turned around and made a pouty face at Ryuu.
"Please?"
"Of course," Ryuu replied. He placed his hand on his heart and gave a half bow. When he straightened, he snapped his fingers. The body shot backward as if from a slingshot. The tunnel escort slammed against the back of the tunnel wall and then disappeared out of sight.