His Perfect Mate [Nehalem Pack 6] (Siren Publishing Classic ManLove) by AJ Jarrett (if you give a mouse a cookie read aloud txt) 📕

Jake eyed the thick, heavy wood doors, two on each side. The doors opened outward not inward and at the top of each door was a sliding lock that snapped into place. It was designed to let anyone in but to keep the person inside trapped.

Seth grabbed the handle on the first door and Jake moved to the opposite side just in case someone attacked from the inside. Holden held back behind Seth, keeping watch on the back door. Seth slid open the lock and slowly opened the door. Darkness spilled out from the room.

“What’s in there?” Holden asked from over his shoulder.

“Not sure,” Jake answered back.

Seth stepped into the darkened room and felt around on the wall. A few seconds later light brightened the space and Jake brought a hand up to shield his eyes.

“Nothing in here except a bed.” Seth shut the door and moved to the door across the hall. “Ready?” he asked Jake.

He nodded his head and took position on the opposite side once again. Seth slid open the lock and then opened the door. Jake moved beside him as Seth flipped on the light. He sucked in a gasp once the light flickered to life.

The floor of this room was slightly angled downward toward a drain. The walls were painted black. Going halfway up the wall were pieces of metal that ran along the four walls. A hose and water faucet lay in the back corner. On the walls were hooks that held whips, chains, and rope. There were other objects that Jake had never seen before, something that looked like plier pinchers. A lethal-looking set of knives hung in order from smallest to largest on the far wall. The light bounced off the steel blades, giving off a blinding light.

“Dear god,” Jake said, looking around in disbelief. “What’s been going on here?”

“I’m not sure I want to know.” Seth edged him back toward the door but before he could shut off the light Holden peeked inside.

“Holy shit!” Holden said a little loudly and Seth brought his hand up to cover the other man’s mouth.

Seth put a finger to his lips. “We need to be very quiet.” His eyes snapped to Jake. “Don’t let this get to you. We need to stay levelheaded so we can get those brothers out of here.”

Jake glanced over Seth’s shoulder one more time. The thought that his mate or even Casper had been locked in the confines of that room tore at his heart. The things that any person had to endure in that room made his blood boil. If it were the last thing he did he’d make sure Tobias paid for the turmoil he had caused.

The next door they checked had what looked like cages. The room was split in two with metal bars separating each side. Stone bricks made up the walls. Thin mattresses lay on the floor with only ratty-looking blankets thrown on the beds.

“This must have been where he kept your mate and his brother.”

Jake stared around the sad little room. It was bare of any color or life. A person could go insane living like this. “I want Tobias dead.”

“Don’t worry, Jake.” Seth clasped him on the back of the neck and gave a light squeeze. “He will be.”

Jake turned and left the room and stood in front of the last door. “Fourth one’s the charm.” He looked over at Seth.

“Look.” Seth point down at the floor where light seeped out from under the door.

Seth opened the door and Jake moved to stand directly behind Seth. The room was dimly lit but they didn’t need much light to see that a man was blindfolded and strapped down to a table. His legs and arms were spread wide and a thick piece of tape covered his mouth.

The man lay motionless. Red angry marks covered the front of his body in long strips from his feet clear up to his hairline. Jake gasped in horror to see that the markings even covered the man’s groin area. The pain those strikes to the body must have caused.

Jake took a step closer and as the man’s scent hit him he knew it wasn’t Carl. Black and blue marks were setting in on the man’s skin and a layer of rust-colored blood was smeared all over him. Jake kept walking until he hit the bed, jostling the man. The man let out a whimper and Jake went to put a hand on the man but didn’t know where to touch him. So many cuts and bruises marred his flesh that Jake didn’t want to cause him anymore discomfort.

“It’s Casper,” Seth said from beside him.

“Casper,” Jake bent down next to Casper’s ear and whispered. “My name is Jake, I’m Carl’s mate. We’re going to get you out of here.”

Casper gave a jerky nod signaling he understood.

Jake’s hand trembled as he reached out to remove the blindfold. Casper squinted up at him. His pupils were dilated and Jake had to wonder how long they kept him in this condition. He slowly picked at the tape covering Casper’s mouth. It pulled at Casper’s skin and the man’s eyes clenched tight and his body jerked. Jake stopped and fisted his hands. He hadn’t done this to Casper but he couldn’t help feeling guilty for causing him more pain.

“Here let me do it.” Seth pushed him out of the way. “Casper, on three I’m just going to yank this thing off of you. Okay?” Casper’s eyes were wide and he nodded. “One, two.” Seth never got to three and pulled the tape free.

“What the fuck happened to three?” Casper’s voice sounded rough and dry when he spoke. His jaw moved up and down as he worked his mouth open.

“I thought it best to not make you linger on the three count.” Seth shrugged. “Now let’s get you out of here.”

“I can’t leave,” Casper said adamantly. “They’ve got Carl. I won’t leave him behind.” Casper’s voice