Page 21 of His Sunshine Baby

“Backing off already? I want a proper duel!”

I roll my eyes. Damn, he may not be smart but he sure is one stubborn wolf!

Since we met as teens, Eric had this stupid idea of making me his mate. I’ve rejected him countless times already, but he just doesn’t take no for an answer. I once told him that I would never date a guy weaker than me, hoping that would make him give up considering our strength difference. Not only did it not make him change his mind at all, but now, that idiot is set on the idea of winning a duel against me!

“Eric, seriously drop it. You’re a great guy, I don’t want to fight you!”

“Not great enough for you to accept me as your mate. I want a duel to prove to you that I can do it!”

“It’s not about you, I just don’t want a mate! Not you, not anyone! Why are you so set on this stupid idea?”

“I told you, I will make you my partner! You’re the only one I will accept as my girlfriend!” he blurts out.

I’m exhausted with him! It’s been years since he first spouted out that idiocy, when will he ever learn? Moreover, a few other guys from the pack made up this whole competition thing about whoever will be able to win against me and some are hoping for something not as innocent as dating me as a prize! Not only is this stupid, childish, and annoying, it’s also another reason for my uncle to resent me!

“You may as well get this over quickly, babe. You know that moron ain’t going to let go,” sighs Daniel.

I roll my eyes, but he’s right.

“Come on, Elena!” Eric yells, getting impatient.

What an pain. I give up and nod, facing him. I don’t even need to shape-shift to take care of this idiot. My inner wolf is annoyed at him too. Who does he think he is? Becoming our mate? Ugh, no way.

Eric jumps at me, but he’s big and slow. I step aside at the last second, leaving him to fall face-first against the floor. Around us, some bystanders can’t help but laugh at him. Seriously, Eric.

“If you’re going to attack, do it seriously,” I growl.

He growls back and turns around to jump at me again. Honestly, Eric may be big and tall, but he’s slow and attacks blindly. I could leave him to get tired just by ignoring and dodging his attacks like this, but that would take a while. I don’t like that so many people are watching and laughing at him. He may not be the smartest of the pack but he’s still a good guy. When he attacks for the third time by throwing his fist forward, I bend over. I drop below his shoulder level and throw a rotating kick right to his stomach. He loses his breath and struggles toget up, but I use this moment to get up and give him a punch in the solar plexus. My strength sends him a few steps back, and he collapses on his back, gasping for air. I sigh and walk up to him, crossing my arms. I put my foot on his torso, making sure he stays down.

“Eric, you really lack some basics. Why do you keep doing this? You can’t even touch me!”

He suddenly laughs, though his voice is hoarse, due to the pain.

“I know. But at least I make you notice me!”

“You come right to my face to duel with me, how am I supposed to not notice you?”

He keeps laughing again. How can he look happy when I just ridiculed him in the middle of the day? Strange guy. I take my foot off.

“You had enough for today?”

“Yeah, yeah. Damn, that hurts,” he whines, palpating his torso.

“Of course, it’ll hurt. Just put some ice on it, you’ll have a bruise. Go get checked if it still hurts tomorrow.”

I sigh and turn around to join Danny, who is shaking his head while looking at Eric.

“Girl, that’s why he keeps coming back. You’re too nice to that idiot!”

“Eric is a good guy, Daniel, I can at least feel a bit bad for hitting him.”

“He asked for it, babe. His problem, not yours.”

And with that, Daniel pushes me further down the street, leaving the defeated Eric behind us. If it wasn’t such a repetitive scenario, I probably would have felt worse about it. But anyway, he’ll get back on his feet soon enough, I guess.

Daniel takes me to a shop where he wants to buy some new CDs. He and I are the old-fashioned type, collecting CDs andvinyl of our favorite bands. The store is small but not empty, a couple of other people are there too. While Daniel goes to the 90’s pop section, I decide to wander around the rock one. I like old English bands. Maybe I can find a good one to add to my dad’s collection?

“Elena!”

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