CHAPTER 4：HIS TRUE IDENTITY

CHAPTER 4

CAROL'S POV

I stared at the great view of the vast plantation of roses at the farm some blocks away from the house. The view and the smell of roses were enough to soothe the system of anyone - anyone but me. I knew that I needed to focus on finding the villain who had tried to kill me, but all I could think about was Gwendolyn, and the life she was forced to lead. It wasn't fair, and it wasn't right.

FLASHBACKS..

As I walked through the dark alleyways, I could feel the hairs on the back of my neck standing on end. I knew that the villain was out there somewhere, waiting to strike. And I was right.

Without warning, an assailant leaped out at me from the shadows, striking me with a sharp blow to the side. My wolf howled in pain, and I felt myself beginning to lose consciousness.

I managed to stumble away from the attacker, but the damage was already done. My wolf was injured, and it would be asleep for most of our journey. I knew that I had no choice but to call on my beta for help.

"Carol, what is it?" my beta asked, concern etched on his face as he answered my call.

"It's the villain," I said, gasping for breath as I tried to speak. "They attacked me. My wolf is injured."

My beta nodded, his expression grim. "You need to come back to the pack, Carol. We can take care of you there."

"But what about the villain?" I asked, not wanting to leave the hunt unfinished.

"We'll keep searching," my beta replied, trying to reassure me. "But for now, you need to focus on healing."

Before I could object, he hung up, leaving me alone in the dark alleyways. I knew that he was right - I had to return to the pack if I wanted to heal. But at the same time, I couldn't just sit around and do nothing. I had to find a way to root out the villain, once and for all.

As I stumbled down the alleyway, my mind racing with thoughts, I suddenly heard a voice calling out to me.

"Hey you! What are you doing skulking around in the dark like that?"

I turned to see a burly man standing in front of me, his arms folded and a scowl on his face. I realized that he must have mistaken me for a ruffian, someone who belonged on the streets.

"I...I'm just passing through," I stammered, not wanting to get into a fight.

"Well, you better be careful," the man replied, eyeing me suspiciously. "This is not a friendly neighborhood."

As he walked away, I knew that he was right. If I wanted to survive in this world, I would have to take on a new identity - that of a poor man, a ruffian. And with that realization came a sense of determination. I would do whatever it takes to catch the villain, even if it meant living a life that was completely different from my own.

But as I made my way back to the pack, my mind turned to Anastasia, the woman I was set to marry as part of Alpha Drago's contract. I wondered if she would accept me, now that I was a different person entirely.

The thought was daunting, but at the same time, I knew that I had to go through with it. I had promised to marry her, and I couldn't back out now. And with that realization came a sense of courage - I would face whatever challenges came my way, and emerge victorious in the end.

Flashbacks end.

As I turned to look at Gwendolyn, I couldn't help the thoughts that were running through my mind. We were different in so many ways, and our paths were never meant to cross like this. But the more time I spent with her, the more I found myself drawn to her.

As I made my way back to the house, my thoughts drifted back to the flashback. The villain was still out there somewhere, and it was only a matter of time before they struck again. I had to find them, and bring them to justice.

But as I sat alone in the safe house, staring at the map and all the information my beta had gathered, I found myself thinking more and more about Gwendolyn. I knew that I shouldn't get attached, but it was too late. I was already drawn to her, and I couldn't stop thinking about her.

The beta came and showed me the progress they had made in the search for the villain, but my mind was distracted. I couldn't focus on the task at hand, not when my heart was so consumed with thoughts of Gwendolyn.

The beta eventually left, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I couldn't help but wonder - what would happen to Gwendolyn once I left this place? Would she be forced to go back to being alone?

I felt a sense of guilt and despair wash over me. I couldn't protect her, I couldn't keep her safe. But maybe, just maybe, I could find a way to help her. To make things right.

I couldn't help but notice the small details that set her apart - the way her hair shone in the sunlight, the sound of her laughter, the determined look on her face as she navigated the unfamiliar terrain.

But I knew that our relationship was time-limited, and that we could never be together in the long run. As an alpha, I would soon be back in my own world, and Gwendolyn would be left behind. I couldn't let myself get too attached to her, but at the same time, I couldn't help these feelings that were blooming inside of me.

As I sat there, lost in my thoughts, I realized something - I was falling in love with Gwendolyn. I didn't want to admit it, but there was no denying the truth. And with that realization came a sense of determination. I would do whatever it takes to protect her, to keep her safe, no matter what the cost.

The villain may be out there, lurking in the shadows, but I wouldn't let that stop me. Not when my heart was on the line. I had to find a way to make things right, to ensure that Gwendolyn could live a happy and fulfilling life, free from the constraints and hardships of her current situation.

With that thought in mind, I set out to continue the search for the villain, hoping beyond hope that I would find them soon. Until then, I would keep Gwendolyn in my thoughts and in my heart, never letting go of the hope that one day, we could be together, free from the chains that bound us.