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

this room it meant Tobias was as well. He had to be stealthy now. If he could sneak up on the alpha Jake could kill him quickly. It was better than the man deserved but getting Carl to safety was his main priority.

His hand shook as he reached out to grab the knob. The fear of not knowing what waited on the other side terrified him more than anything ever had. He’d seen his mother killed by a reckless driver, his father shot to death due to a deranged alpha, and somehow those things, harsh as they were for him to endure, didn’t compare to what condition he’d find his mate in once he stepped over the threshold.

Taking a deep breath, Jake turned the handle and stepped into the room.

* * * *

The sound of the door creaking open drew Carl out of his dismal thoughts. His eyes stung from crying and clenching them tightly shut as Tobias delivered his punishment for disobeying.

“Jake,” he mumbled as he saw his mate step quietly into the room. At first he thought he was imagining it. Jake stood with his back ramrod straight, his shaggy blond hair in disarray around his face, and he was naked. If this was a figment of his imagination he never wanted to come back to the real word. Jake looked like a rugged warrior straight back from battle. Sweat coated his tan skin and he looked effortlessly flawless.

God, I never want to wake up.

“Carl.” The vision of Jake hustled toward the bed. “Oh my god, what has he done to you?”

Jake reached out his fingers and Carl hissed in pain as the vision touched him. Carl grabbed frantically for Jake’s hand. His fingers curled around thick solid muscle.

He’s real! His mind shouted in glee.

“You came for me?” Carl’s throat grew tight as he became overwhelmed with emotion.

“Of course I did.” Jake took Carl’s hand and flipped it over to kiss the palm. “I’ll always come for you.”

He couldn’t fight the smile that split across his face. For so long it had just been him and Casper against the world. It felt good knowing he had someone else in his corner.

“Baby, you’re bleeding really bad.” Jake’s eyes roamed over his body and Carl tried to use his arms to shield his ugliness from his mate. “Stop, please. You’re making it worse.”

“I don’t want you to see me like this,” he whispered. Carl turned his head away from Jake’s beautiful face. It stung that he’d never be able to match the beauty of his mate. He didn’t want Jake to be saddled with an ugly, weak wolf for a mate.

“Carl, listen to me.” When he didn’t look at him, Jake used his finger to turn Carl’s face toward him. “It doesn’t matter how you look.”

“It does,” he sobbed. “Tobias has scarred me with his mark. He even burned my neck until he removed any signs of yours. I’m a freak now.”

“You are not a freak and I could care less how you look.” Jake placed his hands on either side of Carl’s face and laid a soft kiss to his lips. “I love you, Carl, and that’s all that matters.”

“I love you, too.” Carl placed his hand over Jake’s and held tight. He was foolish to ever doubt his mate. Jake would never leave him behind.

For the first time since coming to live with Tobias he felt like he had a future beyond this house.

Chapter Fourteen

“Well isn’t that sweet.” Jake spun around to see Tobias leaning against the doorframe leading to the bathroom. The man clapped his hands and sneered at him. Tobias pushed away from the door and started toward him and Carl. “Carl, you lied to me.” Tobias made a tsking sound and waved a finger in the air.

Jake stood to his full height. He darted a glance down at his mate who still lay motionless on the bed. Jake could see the fear in his milky blue eyes and he swore to himself he’d rid the world of the sadist who caused that look in his mate’s eyes.

“I told you I’d tear him apart limb from bloody limb.” When Tobias spoke he didn’t even spare a glance at him. The other man acted as if Jake weren’t standing right there.

“Hey fucker!” Jake had had enough. He wasn’t about to let this lowlife treat him like he was nothing and the gall of the jerk. To think Jake would allow him the chance to kill him. If he went down he’d be taking Tobias with him. “I’m standing right here. You can address me and leave Carl out of this.”

Tobias turned to him. His head tilted to the side and stared at Jake as if he just now noticed him. The man’s black eyes assessed him from head to toe. Jake had to fight the urge to cover himself.

“I can see why you find him attractive.” Tobias grinned at him. “It’s a waste I’m going to have to kill him.”

Jake barely had time to react. Tobias leapt in the air and had his claws extended, reaching for him. He slid to the side, landing hard on his hip. Tobias landed with his knees bent and nails dug into the hardwood flooring.

“Come now.” Tobias’s lips were pulled back over his lengthening teeth. “It’ll hurt less if you just hold still.” His voice rose as he raced toward him.

Jake climbed to his feet and braced himself. He wasn’t going to run from the alpha. The man needed to learn his place and by no means was he superior to Jake.

He allowed the change to crawl over his body. Bones popped and hair grew. Once Tobias was in reach Jake snapped his jaws and bit down on the alpha’s thigh. The man howled in agony and tried to shake loose but Jake held on. Jake clamped down hard then wrenched his head to the side, taking a chunk of Tobias with him.

The man roared in pain then