Page 88 of The Alpha King’s Hidden Mute Mate

Her hand was small, soft, warm—like a little bird landing in my palm.

"Come on!" She pulled me toward the elevator. "The swing is so fun! I can push you!"

"Wait, Lily—"

"Hurry hurry!"

She dragged me into the elevator, stood on tiptoes to press the "1" button, then turned with a triumphant smile.

"I can reach it!" She said. "I'm big now!"

My eyes burned.

The elevator doors opened. She pulled me out of the building, across the path, to that little playground. Morning sunlight bathed the slide and swings in golden light.

Lily released my hand and ran to a swing, patting the seat. "You sit here! I'll push you!"

"You'll push me?" I couldn't help smiling. "You sure you can?"

"Of course!" She puffed out her little chest. "I'm super strong!"

I shook my head, smiling, and sat on the swing. It was too small for me, my legs too long, knees almost touching the ground. But I sat anyway, gripping the chains.

Lily circled behind me, placing her small hands on my back.

"Go!" She shouted, pushing hard.

The swing moved about two inches.

"Um..." She came around front, tilting her head. "That's harder than I thought."

I laughed—really laughed, for the first time in five years.

"How about," I said, "you sit, and I push you?"

Her eyes lit up. "Really?"

"Of course."

She climbed onto the swing immediately, gripping the chains tight, turning to look at me. "Ready!"

I moved behind her, placed my hands gently on her back, and pushed.

The swing rose. She squealed with delight. "Wow! Higher!"

I pushed again, a little harder this time. The swing went higher, her pigtails flying like little flags in the wind.

"Higher! Higher!"

"Okay, hold on tight—"

I pushed harder. The swing soared, she was nearly parallel with the sky. She laughed—that bell-like laughter echoing through the morning air like the most beautiful song.

I stood there watching her fly, my heart filling with happiness and joy.

"Zane!" She called. "Look at me! I can swing to the sky!"

"I see you!" I said, voice thick. "You're flying so high!"