2: Challenger?

POV: Devin

I couldn't believe what was standing in front of me on Wolf Islands. Last time I saw those poor souls, they were covered in heavy, elegant silks with a ton of guards around them.

But this one? This woman in front of me, she had no escort, and she was just out in the open? That was so dangerous. She was wearing cotton, no silk, and a dress that exposed her legs. It also didn't hide the shape of her front. Round. Her legs were more feminine than men with hardly any hair on them. They rode up, skinnier with less muscle. Her pelvis area, it pushed out further than her stomach.

It was really interesting to see, though she was lucky that I had been the one that was on this train. She would have been in serious trouble otherwise. I wasn't really used to the customs when it came to this ridiculous part, so hopefully I didn't scare her. I'd just be casual. I wouldn't get close. Smile and be polite, then figure out what I was going to do.

That's right, I had to get her off of here before I met up with the others. How was I going to do that without making her overreact?

POV: Destiny

I tried to stay positive. Maybe this guy had no job or was working in a lower than successful career? That would mean he would have to have papers to take me as a mate. If he worked in a well paying job though, if he passed second class inspection? This wasn't the safety of home, he didn't sign anything to be one of the possible chosen guys.

Once. One exam of this stranger's DNA on my lips . . . one kiss. One sinned kiss.

No, this couldn't happen! I moved slightly, knowing I couldn't keep up my position for long. I looked toward the train door. It was moving faster. Unless I got to the trains controller dashboard, I wasn't going to get it to stop. My only chance was to run and hope I found the controller dashboard.

My feet felt like cement, but I had no choice. Taking a deep breath, I made the first move. Knowing I couldn't run straight at him, I ran behind myself into another waiting room. Waiting for him to move in on me, I would try to slip past him and run the other way.

He stopped at the door, and for the first time, cracked a smile. "You seem like your lost. What's your name?"

Ooh. His voice wasn't half as sultry or deep as the other guys I had met. He was so different, I couldn't help but be slightly curious. He was definitely a lot more fit than the men I had seen. Was he even more fit than Zoan?

And why was I thinking about that? This man could come after me. He was not one of my chosen, for all I knew, he could hurt or kill me. Take me and sell me for any fee he wanted.

A shiver ran through my body. Sold. I kept my position, firm and solid. The man though, seemed relaxed, as if he'd already won me.

"Your name?" He asked again. "I can't help without your name."

Challenger? If he wanted my whole name, he was a challenger. I slowed down my breathing. He wasn't a bum with that status. One kiss, and I had to be his. Okay, relax! He might not know what age I am. If he thought I was younger and stole a kiss, he'd be sentenced to instant death.

That made me feel a bit better. He would have to be sure of my age to try it. But what if he had heard of me, what if he knew I was the right age for a sinned kiss to claim me? Seventeen and under were protected. I was not, not since my birthday last week.

Normally, brothers were around to help guard me. Normally, there were laws preventing this situation when guys met girls. This was no suitor that had signed anything to even see me. This was a raw man. I took one more deep breath before finally giving him what he had requested. The law was on his side. "Destinyoftheages Rutgin."

"Destinyoftheages Rutgin?" he repeated my words. "That's quite different. Long first name. You're Destiny for short then?"

He just shortened my name without my permission. Oh he knew where he stood. Be nice, and be kind. Just delay, surely Zoan will be coming soon. "Yes."

"Great. I'm Devin Oliver Olivacea."

I took a step back again. That statement was too bold, giving me not just his whole name, but a middle name too? How much stronger was he going to come onto me? If he bolted right now and kissed me, it would be over. There wouldn't be any decision about choosing someone famous, someone brave, or just someone else. I would have no choice but to be his.

Then, hope arose as I watched the man go rigid. He turned around, moving from the door slightly.

Zoan! I felt my heart beat quickly. Somehow, Zoan made it on the train. He was soaked, probably running in the water, but he made it.

"Destiny, are you okay?" Zoan called to me as he kept his eye on the stranger.

"I am fine," I said, but I still gave him a push on the side. "Where were you?"

"I'm sorry, I had to change trains. The conductor said it was being held for a private function so I went somewhere private to talk to Wes about what to do, and when I came back, I barely saw you starting to run out here." Zoan held his hands up toward the Devin guy. "Who do you think you are, trying to chase after someone that isn't yours, ruffian?"

The stranger rubbed his nose at Zoan. "I am truly offended by what you accuse me of, Sir. I am Devin Oliver Olivacea, and I'm not your average Wolf Islander."

"He's a challenger," I warned Zoan. "You need to be careful, brother."

"I've fought challengers before. They are nothing but wannabe's trying to stalk girls that aren't theirs. What makes you different?" Zoan muttered to him. "Like hell you are going to have my sister. She is going on one last vacation before getting mated to someone. She's about to get hit by a ton of you guys here, so if you think-"

"I don't have time to deal with you," Devin interrupted him. "Look, I understand you better than you think. I have a sister of my own."

"Then what are you doing chasing after mine?"

He didn't answer.

I covered my eyes, that lie drove Zoan over the edge. He rushed in, and Devin moved out of the way. Zoan grabbed my hand and held me close.

"This is too risky," I warned him. I was not allowed to meet many guys from my parent's estate, but I knew Devin was not like any of them. The way he looked, the accent in his voice, I couldn't place it. Not from anything, even entertainment. Leave the train, that was all I wanted to do. Zoan could scoot by him and we could leave. "Collateral, make him move."

"I am not giving him money to make him move," Zoan said to me, almost like he was ashamed of what I had said. "You think he's better than me? I can take him. He won't get a dime." Zoan pulled out a small bag.

I got angry as Zoan was pulling out dust. Dust was dangerous, and it had been known to actually cause blindness. It looked, of course, like harmless dust, but that was only to deceive. It caused short term amnesia, and if the dosage was high enough, brain damage. "Put that away, this is not a game. Offer him money or something!"

Zoan ignored me as he let go of my hand. He dunked his other hand into the dust. "Just try me, Challenger."

My brother thought this was an easy win, but I was not so sure. Devin acted way too casual for the situation he had been in, couldn't Zoan see that? Why couldn't Zoan simply bow down and offer the challenger something? If only I could legally be the one to offer him something.

"One fling, and there's no way you can duck it," Zoan yelled as he prepared to throw the dust.

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