Lincoln POV
I didn’t expect her to flinch away from me the second I stepped closer. The female’s entire body tensed, like she was ready to bolt if she had the strength. I paused, taken aback, then glanced at Eryx. He didn’t say anything, just stood there, silent and unreadable, watching her with that hard expression he always wore around strangers.
“Easy, female,” I said quietly, lifting the cup of water toward her so she could see it was nothing harmful. She hesitated, staring at me with wide, blank eyes, then finally reached out and took it. Her hands trembled, but she drank.
Something about her pulled at me. Maybe it was the way she looked so lost. Maybe the strength it took for her to sit there and keep breathing. I didn’t know. I only knew I liked her already, and I secretly hoped,
