Chapter 176

Claire's POV The moment we stepped through the hospital doors, I could feel the shift in Theo's demeanor. His hand pressed protectively against the small of my back, his posture rigid with the kind of alert tension. I'd seen him in crisis mode before, but this was different—more intense, more primal, as if every instinct he possessed was screaming warnings about dangers I couldn't perceive. The nurse at the reception desk directed us to a private examination room, her professional smile faltering slightly when she caught sight of Theo's expression. His dark eyes swept the medical facility with predatory focus, cataloging exits and evaluating every staff member who came within twenty feet of us as potential threats to my safety. "Alpha and Luna Valmont," Dr. Matthews announced as he entered the room, his familiar presence usually a source of comfort during pack medical visits. But the moment he took a step toward the examination table where I sat, Theo's reaction was immediate and shock