(Lila's P.O.V)

I hadn't expected the onslaught of nervous jitters I was having for the first time in my life before a fight.

The familiar atmosphere did nothing to drown out the pounding of my heart in my ears. I jumped on the balls of my feet, my eyes seeking out Diego once, only to find him tensely watching.

I swung my eyes around, the grinding bodies below me coming to a gyrating halt as the volume of the pulsing music lowered. I found Nora, Michael and Warren sitting in their designated corner and observing with a vigor that was lost on me.

I even spotted someone who looked pretty similar to Rebecca in the corner, leaning against the wall and pushed behind throngs of over enthusiastic teens and adults alike.

Everyone seemed excited.

When Diego caved, Tasha had quickly been informed and since she and the Leopard's make up artist together handled the instagram account of Black & Blue, they'd posted the change in plans.

The response had been as enthusiastic as I'd expected it to be. Comments flooded in and supporters divided. Bets were already placed and the money was piling up. I hope I won.

Nora had texted me, inviting me to come watch the new fighter Wolf against our very own Wildcat and I'd politely declined. Warren didn't bother anymore and Rebecca was surprisingly not here either.

My attention snapped to the side when hoots came up from the crowd, their energy palpable.

The Wolf, decked in a plain blue tank top and black shorts with a wolf-like mask covering everything except his lower mouth and those sinful lips sauntered out and his black-looking eyes locked with mine almost instantly. His tattoos were again hidden under layers of artful makeup but his muscles were on full display and my eyes drank him in hungrily.

No, Lila. Stay focused, don't ogle him. You're mad at him!

This was turning out to seem like a mistake because my emotions were definitley clouding my judgements. Hesitancy sank under my skin but it was too late to back out now.

Besides, if I couldn't take on Derek then I'd fail miserably against Roy.

The reminder sent spurts of fury dancing in my belly and I steeled my spine.

I lowered my lashes, hoping I gave off icy vibes as he ducked under the ring's ropes and entered the space where I was going to wipe the floor with him.

If I didn't loose my senses first, that is.

Standing opposite each other, I tilted my head haughtily despite the fact that he was taller. Derek grinned, his wolfish features stark and his hair raven in the lightiing, shining when the disco lights flitted over once in a while.

"Finally, Wildcat." It was a surprise I could hear him over the noise but I was so attuned to Derek that it came to me like a flowing waterfall. "I've been waiting for this moment since the first day I saw you." His words rang of truth, deep and seductive, his eyes leaving a scorching trail over my exposed skin.

I'd never felt like covering myself up in the ring, enjoying the liberation it granted me from the societal norms and the itch to hide. But Derek's appraisal and words made me shy away not in embarrassment or shame but in a stark sense of vulnerability.

I thought of what his reaction would be if he know who I was. If he saw the branded scar on my breasts.

Aware I couldn't risk speaking at all for I knew he'd recognize me easily if that were to happen, I bit back my retorts and trampled over the familiar urge to sass back to Derek Greyson especially.

I clenched my jaw and as the anchor, Jay, did the customary anchoring, I got into position. Crouching and extending my gloved hands, I sneered at The Wolf.

He mimicked me, a chuckle escaping his full lips that had again snagged my attention. I could still vividly picture our kiss and the sensations felt as real as the kiss had been.

But then I noticed his gloved hands and blinked as I recognized the dark blue and black lined set of customised gloves and wrapping tape I'd gifted him about a month ago.

I hadn't expected him to wear them. I don't know why but I didn't. And to think he'd inflict wounds on me with the very things I gave to him.

What fine irony.

The Wolf's eyes sparked with something I couldn't discern but it was along the lines of mischief and sly plans. I suppressed a shudder and tuned back to Jay's announcements.

"Let's see the most anticipated fight! The Wildcat Vs The Wolf!!"

"YAYY WOOHOO!" The over-excited and drunk crowd encouraged the oncoming violence and I settled into the sense of the ring, attuning myself to Derek's every move.

I'd seen his every fight since he started, most of the times invited by him but since things went astray a couple weeks ago, I hadn't seen his latest fight in person. I did watch the videos and asses his movement, to know where to strike.

And as we circled each other endlessly, I knew he had done the same.

Derek always moved first but right now, he was adopting the opposite of that strategy. Diego must have given him tips just as he had me.

So I took his advice and did as Derek wanted.

I pounced with a jab that he dodged and then a succession of blows followed. With his hands in front of him, taking each hit, I cornered him. Just as I was going in for a rib hit, he responded with a duck and finally lashed out and I covered my face, feeling the impact of his hit.

"Sorry, Wildcat, I'm not keen on losing either." 

With that, the tides of the match turned. Back in the center and ducking, sidestepping and blocking hits, I felt the ache spread in my body. I swallowed a growl of frustration and then finding my opening, kicked Derek in the chest, making him step back. He didn't pause and I leaned down to avoid his sucker punch while landing my own square on his stomach. 

He grunted softly.

We both panted, jumping away and bouncing on the balls of our feet before he came in fast with a series of left and right hooks, one of which landed and I winced. He faltered for a second and I took the opportunity, charging him and using my body weight to push him back as I tangled our legs, preparing for a fall and then some ground game.

I didn't count on the skin on skin contact to make my breath hitch.

Both of us taken aback, my move worked just a tad differently and as we thudded to the ground, whoops of the people in Blue asking for more, comments passing around, I felt my heartbeat spike up.

Straddling Derek, my hands on his strong chest and my core right up against his hardness, an unbidden blush spread across my thankfully masked cheeks.

Derek's eyes widened and he cursed, "Fuuucck."

Biting his lip, eyes on my own widened ones, Derek's solid chest heaved under my palms. It reminded me of last night too much and with the butterflies came the anger.

I grabbed the opportunity, raining down punches that hit the mark a few times until Derek muttered something under his breath and then flipped us in a swift movement, a testament to his really endearing strength.

I realized my mistake, having eased off of him and simply raining down blows like an angry woman, not a trained one. But now with the guy who soothed me when I was having a nightmare aiming at my face mercilessly, it ignited a spark of challenge within me.

The Wolf moved gracefully and with each of his movements having a purpose. It was enchanting to fight him on too many levels for me.

The familiar weight of his body and the shape of his muscles made my brain melt.

Like a stupid lovestruck wattpad girl, I just wanted to fulfill my desires and have an ab-licking fest and then curl up in his lap like a housecat, goddamnit.

And despite knowing that The Wolf, that Derek, was holding back on his blows and his fighting, his full power locked away, I didn't back away. I bucked my hips and he grit his teeth, hissing.

"You're gonna kill me, WIldcat."

Oh, how I wish.

He was heavier than me but my move worked and he relented willingly which resulted in the fight continuing with us steady on our feet.

My short breaths were not just a result of the exertion and he seemed to be having the same problems. What bothered me was that while my reactions were completely justified considering how I felt about Derek and I knew he was the Wolf, his reactions to me; a mysterious fighter with sinful curves, was almost like cheating on 'Lila.'

It was kind of disturbing to be frank.

A pang of guilt and subsequent hurt traveled through my heart.

And the match resumed.

Derek kneed me in my distracted state and I grunted involuntarily.

I swear I saw momentary worry flash in his eyes and then a certain sort of resolve set over his face. With a suppressed battle cry, I tried forgetting the pain in my forearms, ribs and now my stomach where he'd hit. Punching him in the gut as he left me an opening, I enjoyed his pain-filled groan.

Okay, it wasn't as satisfactory as I'd expected but it was good enough.

Frustration welled up inside me and I took it out on him with no abandon. He was strong enough to take a few of my hits. And he did, almost as if willingly taking the brunt of my wrath.

It hit me that maybe Derek had figured out my identity but I was also sure I never made a mistake to give anything solid away that could link me; the average girl with the badass masked fighter.

"Alright, that's enough." 

He breathed out sharply and I gasped as he caught my wildly flinging arm in a tight grip, eyes clashing and making me loose my concentration yet again. He spun me around and twisted my arm behind my back. My shoulder screamed in protest but I ground my teeth, hearing the pounding of my heart and the anticipation filled faces of the crowd stared me in the eyes.

I bit my tongue to keep from yelping.

No sounds, Lila.

"I've wanted to get my hands on you for ages, Wildcat." Hot desire-filled whisper of his breaths ghosted across my skin and I trembled viscerally. "And you turn me on a lot too."

His words sent conflicting emotions sweeping through me.

Tightening his arms over my waist when it was entirely unnecessary and anything but a distraction for me, Derek's hard muscles pressed against my own.

Was it a good thing he was attracted to my other identity; other darker parts of me as well or did it pose the question of what his character had become to be attracted and bold about his musings with this side of me?

I shook my head mentally to rid itself of the cobweb of varying hopes and ideas Derek was weaving and focused back on seizing control of the match.

Anyone with two eyes would be able to tell that this fight was not a fair one. I hadn't unleashed my full skillset on him either despite having been so convinced that I'd beat him to a pulp.

I couldn't hurt him.

I cared that much already.

And for some mysterious reason he seemed to be doing the same.

Diego would already give me a lecture after such a messy fight but I would be damned if I lost to Derek just because of our personal connections and my raging stupid hormones.

I swiftly swiped his leg out from under him and he made a sound of protest as he slipped. I twisted my torso and grabbed him in a headlock at the right moment, sliding down to the coarse floor of the ring with him. The material of the flooring chafed against my skin but I paid it no attention, panting hard and feeling breathless.

Pressing and twisting on his neck, feeling as he gripped my arm hard enough to dig his nails in, I fought to catch my own breath.

Derek flailed slightly but made no true effort to get himself out of the hold. I still had to put my all in because his muscle strength and size were sheer power and he had me beat in those regards.

This game was one he'd played with much strategizing and conscious effort unlike usual.

But we were both distracted throughout the fight. 

Jay counted down and when the audience accompanied him till the 0 number was hit, I prepared myself mentally to slip away and lock myself inside my training room. 

"The win goes to The Wildcat! Wohoo!" 

As soon as the announcement was made, I let go of Derek and sprang up as if scorched by his touch.

Panting heavily and scanning the crowd that had its breath held, I twisted on my heel. Without waiting for further show-off, I stalked away to my training room hoping to calm myself and be away from Derek's presence.

I felt him follow me on a visceral level despite the blasting music and hollering.

Hurrying up and unlocking my room, I swung the door open, slipping inside in a swift feline movement. Just as I was about to close the door, a foot stuck in the space halted my move.

I squeezed my ryes momentarily and cursed internally.

"Running from me, Wildcat?"

With a shove that belied his strength, the one he'd toned down during our fight, he pushed open the door. I put my weight on it and tried to close it but failed when his dark eyes came into view and my strength faltered.

I don't like giving in to Derek.

I don't like how he distracts me or makes me desire things I never did before.

I don't like how I find myself unable to control my reactions and emotions when he's involved. 

Isn't it weak of me? I hate those girls in books that are overriden by lust or their feelings, when they don't use their brains.

Books are where I learnt about romance.

But aren't I doing the same these days? 

I hate it.

I hate him.

I glared as he pushed through and slammed the door behind him. 

"Hello, Wildcat." Purring, he walked closer and as much as I wanted to stand my ground and go toe to toe with him, I couldn't.

Because I was The Wildcat right now and our proximity would only spell disaster. I'd expected to feel better after the fight but all it did was fuel the fire burning in my heart every time I thought of him.

I narrowed my eyes and before I knew it, I'd walked back so far that my back hit the wall on the side. Derek grinned, his dimple drawing my eye.

"You were holding back." His voice rang in the purple themed room and I raised my chin as if to say, 'So did you.'

He apparently got the message because he chuckled, the sound filling me with a scorching heat and tingles spread over my body when he leaned one forearm over my head and the other next to my head. 

We were both sweating, musky scents in the air but I ignored it.

My chest heaved, his heat and our breaths mixed as he dipped his head so we were eye level because of course he was taller than me.

The damn Looney Tunes.

Why the fuck was he even here??

I looked away and he hummed.

"You see, there's this girl." My attention was caught like a fish on a hook. Derek chuckled almost knowingly. "I think I might like her but you confuse me."

My breath was trapped in my chest and I stilled, glad I'd looked away from his dark eyes, the copper invisible in the lack of light. 

Knuckles brushed over my masked cheek and I jerked away.

Somehow though, I was sure he wanted such a reaction and I'd played right into his hands. "Anyways, I want to confirm something today."

What? Was he going to risk it and take my mask off or something? I couldn't–

Firm fingers grasped my cheek and I felt every muscle in my body coil tight, eyes flying to meet his as I swallowed a gasp. The pain in my sore muscles was dulled in the face of this predicament.

Like a glinting metal turning liquid with the heat of our sizzling chemistry, Derek's eyes roamed over my face, his thumb rubbing over my chin as I glared at him unable to use my voice.

"You turn me on and intrigue me beyond words. But you're such a mystery." With a sad note, his fingers slipped away and I scoffed.

He rose a brow, a glint in his eyes spelling trouble for me. "And I want to pick one girl."

I didn't expect those words, possibly insinuating my existence, but what I didn't expect at all were his next actions.

A quick slip of his hands and I was no longer caged under him, staring up as he grasped my waist in a tight grip and I pushed on his chest, a growl building up inside my throat.

Before I could take any action though, with our bodies pressed close, Derek leaned down and kissed my neck.

I stilled, frozen.

"Please help me sort my feelings." With pleading eyes and and the mask still on his face, his spoken words made me choke up.

This was not like the last time.

Derek was sober right now.

But I was The Wildcat, not Lila.

Was I wrong about Derek Greyson after all?

My thoughts flew out of head though, when he sucked on my neck, the skin sensitive to him. I might not have been so attuned to the touch except it was him.

Chest to chest, core to core and skin to skin. I'd felt like this burning sensation all over my skin only when Derek and I kissed and I was starting to get addicted to his touch. 

A low moan slipped free from me as he groaned and trailed his lips over my heated skin making me pant and my hands on his chest clutched his tank top hard. The contours of his mask rubbed against my skin and evoked other sensations.

But this was wrong.

I loosened my hold on him yet he was one step ahead and with a soft nip on my neck, he pulled away.

I blinked at the abrupt halt even though I was planning on doing the same.

He flashed me a promising grin, eyes determined and satiated.

"Thanks and I'm sorry, sweetheart."

He stepped away, leaving me dazed and continued. "But you could've pushed me away at any moment." Dark hair in his eyes, he raised his hands placatingly as if to justify himself.

"Anyways, I got what I came for." His eyes momentarily dipped to the exposed part of my face under the mask and I suppressed a shiver as his gaze set me ablaze.

I let my eyes follow him right until he slipped out of the room like he'd never been there.

Except my heart was still racing and I didn't know what Derek's purpose behind this was.

I had been silent throughout but I'd felt too much.

And I was going to have a damn big hickey.

•♤•

A/N

Okay, so thoughts on what just happened??

We didn't just have the fight but uhm, some heat and steam too hehe. But what about the approach Derek had towards Lila or the WILDCAT in this chapter? Any theories on how he's gonna figure out her identity after such declarations?

Hope you enjoyed though and don't forget to vote and comment! Thank you!

~Skyler