Chapter 178

Claire's POV The morning of Jennifer's wedding dawned crisp and clear. I stood before the full-length mirror in our bedroom at the pack house, attempting to zip a navy blue maternity dress that had fit perfectly just two weeks ago. My reflection showed a woman I barely recognized—my face fuller, my body transformed by seven months and a week of pregnancy that had reshaped every curve. The twins were active this morning, their movements creating visible ripples across my distended abdomen. One of them delivered a particularly sharp kick to my ribs, making me wince and place a protective hand over the spot where tiny feet seemed determined to find more space in their increasingly cramped quarters. "You're both going to behave today," I whispered to my belly, though their restless energy suggested they had other plans. "Aunt Jennifer deserves a perfect wedding." Theo appeared behind me in the mirror, his reflection showing concern mixed with the protective intensity that had become his de