Page 159 of Wolf Blood

"Are you trying to scare her by being all gigantic?"Harper asked.

"Of course I am."

"It'll probably work."

"Of course it will. She only associates with vampires."

"Things have escalated with Holly. She found out about Velour, and turned a handful of humans from my Guild," Neve said, without pausing. "She's planning to attack your tower in two days. When your breeding season peaks."

Every werewolf in the room went still.Including me.

"I want to take your deal. I can tell you where they are." Her gaze flicked to Harper. "I want protection from the founding families, and frequent, guaranteed visits from my daughter in exchange."

"Absolutely not," I saidbluntly. "You can have the protection, but Harper's not going near you unless she wants to."

"I will not die alone in prison," Neve said sharply.

"There will be other prisoners. You'll never be alone," I agreed.

"I can visit once a year," Harper said. "On a day that I choose. For as long as I choose to stay, even if it's only a minute."

Neve turned her harsh gaze to Harper. "That's not nearly enough."

"It's that or nothing,"

"I don't have to tell you anything," Neve snapped.

"You don't," Harper agreed. "But the wolves aren't going to let you go. You can take what we're offering, or you can go to prison without it."

Neve huffed.

A moment of silence passed.

She finally leaned back in her chair.

"Alright. Fine." She pulled her phone out of her bag and hit a few buttons. Phones around the room vibrated as she shared the location with all of us.

"If this is a trap, you'll die slowly and painfully," I warned.

"It's not." She slouched a little, looking tired as she stared at Harper. "For the record, I never wanted this to happen. I always did what I could to keep all of the Guild's humans alive."

"I know. We'll figure out a way to keep it going without you," Harper said.

Neve looked at me, and I dipped my head.

Maverick and I had already discussed ideas as far as the Guild went. There was a plan. A loose one, at least.

"Put her in one of the cells," I told the enforcers. "Get every detail she knows. After we have Holly and the rest of her turned vampires in custody, we'll bring the police in."

They nodded, and she stood.

After she held Harper's gaze for a moment, she walked out of the room.

Harper let out a long breath when the door shut behind her mother. I saton the edge of the desk, watching her.

"You need to get going," she said quietly. "You'll take a big team, right?"

"Yes. You're not going to ask if you can come?"