The silver-eyed corpse stared at Aria with ancient knowledge that made her skin crawl.
"Your training begins now," it repeated, stepping closer with movements too smooth for something that should be dead.
"Back off!" Caleb's golden wolf leaped between them, teeth bared. His hackles rose as he growled low and dangerous.
The body tilted its head. "Interesting. The reluctant Alpha finally shows his true nature."
Caleb shifted back to human form, standing naked and unafraid as he faced the possessed body. "Nobody touches her."
"Even though you've spent months rejecting the bond?" The corpse's smile was cold. "Even though you told everyone an omega mate would make you weak?"
Aria felt the familiar sting of those words. She'd heard Caleb say them countless times to his father, to the elders, to anyone who would listen.
"I was wrong." Caleb's voice cracked. "I was a fool."
