Page 83 of Mortal Shift
“Yes, I do possess a calendar, thanks.”
“Do you have any plans for the equinox?”
I blinked. “For the what, now?”
He folded his arms over his chest, and shot a look at Ling. “Is she intentionally being this annoying?”
Ling looked startled at being addressed, but Cole had already turned his attention back to me.
"Are. You. Busy. On. The. Equinox?” he enunciated slowly and clearly, like I was a moron. I ground my teeth together.
“None of your damn business.”
“No, you’re right. I was just going to ask if you wanted to visit your mom, but I suppose that’s none of my business, either.”
“Wait, what?” My heart thudded painfully inside my chest, and then turned to ice. “What’s the catch?”
“Who says there’s a catch?”
“I do. Because I’ve spent the last six months with you, and you don’t do anything for anyone but yourself.”
Anger darkened his face. “Oh, I don’t, huh? You’re one to talk. You’d much rather hide out in here with your…friend than present a united front to the academy like mates should, even knowing what Kallan’s pack is planning.”
I folded my arms across my chest and glared at him over the top of them.
“So thereisn’tsome catch, then? I could ignore you completely and we’d still go?”
He curled his upper lip. “That’s exactly what you think life is, isn’t it? Doing what you want, and getting what you want?”
“Oh, yes. Everything about my life has led to me that exact conclusion.” I shook my head, sending a spray of dark hair in an angry flash around my face. “I’ve had to work for every damn thing I’ve ever had, so don’t you dare try to judge me.”
“Then it won’t come as a huge surprise to discover I expect you to repay my kindness.”
“So you do want something in return. Shocker.” I rolled my eyes and turned to Ling. “Can you believe this asshole?”
“Hey, I’m not asking for much,” he snapped. “I just want you to step up to your responsibilities.”
“Step up to my responsibilities? I act like your mate in public, and I haven’t slit your throat while you sleep—yet. Is there something I’m missing?”
“Yeah, there is.” He drew in a deep breath, and the angry edge left his voice, like he was trying to appear reasonable—which made me suspicious as all hell. “Full moon falls between now and then.”
“I’m aware.”
“I want to run with the pack.”
“So run with the pack. What do I care? It’s not like you need my permission.”
Annoyance flashed through his eyes, and I watched him push it down.
“I can’t run if you don’t. I need you to swear you’ll show up.”
“Assuming you even get chosen,” I pointed out.
“Assuming we even get chosen,” he agreed. “Which we’re going to make happen.”
“And if ‘we’ get chosen, how exactly am I supposed to run?”
“You have legs.”
