Well shit. I could tell I was in trouble now. Why did Laurie have to say anything? I swallowed hard as I saw the sad, lost look on Zoey's face.
"Love…"
I watched as she lowered her head. My heart clenched.
"Oh no, I'm so sorry, Zoey. I was only teasing Jericho. This was before he ever met you. He hasn't been here since he saw you at the party. I promise."
Laurie was in tears. She had such a tender heart, and she was obviously devastated that she hurt our mate. I watched as Jacques wrapped his arms around her to comfort her.
I looked back to Zoey and saw her hands held tightly together and her shoulders slumped. I knelt at her side and pried her hands apart and took one in mine.
"Please look at me, love."
She shook her head and I felt a sharp pain in my chest when I saw tears fall into her lap. I gently placed my fingers under her chin and guided her head up.
"Please, Zoey. Please look at me."
Finally, her pain-filled eyes met mine. I wiped the tears from her cheek with my thumb.
"Please don't cry my love. Laurie's right but not like you're thinking. Yes, I've been here before with different women. All of three times, spaced out over three years. Usually for Valentines. I hated being alone on a day meant for lovers when I hadn't found my mate yet. It was always just dinner. Never sex. And only with women that I considered close friends, and they knew why they were there. To keep me from being lonely. Please believe me, love. I haven't even looked at another woman since I laid my eyes on you for the first time. No one holds my attention like you do and no one has EVER held my heart like you do my love."
Her eyes flicked between mine for a few moments.
"Really?"
Her voice was just a whisper. I kissed the back of her hand and rested my forehead against hers.
"Really. Most of the pack think I'm a player and I don't do much to dissuade them of that idea."
"But why, Jer?"
"Because none of them were my mate. Most of the females here don't want to get involved with me thinking they're just gonna be another notch in my belt. It's true I haven't been celibate my whole life, but I haven't been intimate with a woman in several years."
She pulled her head back in shock.
"What!? But… fuck, I can't believe I'm asking this… why not?"
"Because I spent my teen years fucking any female that was interested. As I got older I realized how empty the act of sex was when there was no connection. When they weren't my mate. So, I stopped. But I let the rumors persist because it kept most of the females from propositioning me. I hated the hurt look on the faces of the ones that still asked when I told them I wasn't interested. It was hard to explain to them that it wasn't that they weren't good enough, it was that I only wanted my mate. And now I've got you and I won't ever be alone and lonely again."
"Oh, Jer. I love you so much."
She leaned forward and wrapped her arms around my neck and gave me the sweetest kiss before burying her face in my neck. I held her close.
"You are the most precious thing to me, love. My mate, my heart, my life. My everything. Now that I've found you, I can't live without you. I always felt like something in me was missing. And now I'm whole. You complete me. You complete us."
I saw Laurie come close and she knelt next to me and placed her hand on Zoey's arm.
"Please forgive me, Zoey. I didn't mean to upset you at all. I was poking fun at Jericho. Please don't let this ruin your special evening. We want to celebrate with you. I'm so sorry."
And in true Zoey fashion, she instantly forgave Laurie. She leaned back in my arms and smiled at the woman.
"It's ok, Laurie. I'm not sure why it bothered me so much. I think it's because I still can't believe that such amazing men want me. I think I'm waiting for them to realize it's all a mistake and send me packing. I felt insecure since there are so many women here in the pack that look so pretty, and I know I can't compare to them."
I growled. "You're ours Zoe. There's no mistake. You're our heart, and we love you, and need you so much. There isn't anyone here that can compare to you, my love. Not a single one. You are so beautiful and so loving and caring that we're constantly in awe of you. Every day with you is a gift and one we treasure."
"Awww. You're such a hopeless romantic, Jericho. It makes my heart so happy to see you all together and how much you all love each other."
Laurie stood and clapped her hands, her smile back in place.
"Alright, let's get this party started. Jacques and I will wait on you tonight ourselves. Only the best for our friends, and it allows us to celebrate tonight with you. Drinks anyone?"
We all laughed and placed our drink orders. I knew I was forgiven. I kissed Zoey on her nose and smiled at her giggle.
"You have the cutest giggle."