Steel: The Transformation

Chapter 37

Sorry for being gone for so long and for the radio silence. Things have been really busy and I was traveling of two weeks with little to no internet. Some exciting news: there are two new chapters of both Steel: The Transformation & Magic's Mark up! I have also entered both stories into the Wattys and I would love it if you could support me by voting for my chapters and sharing the stories with your friends :) Also - I am part of the Wattpad Block Party - Summer Edition - more info will be in my bio :) Thank you for all your love and for being patient with me! <3

Chapter 37

Cleo POV

I moved my hand across the cold marble of the bench and let my eyes take in the magic of the Mason's garden, decorated for the party it looked like something out of a fairy tale with small twinkling lights wrapped around the deep green and well trimmed hedges and bushes. A circle of low growing roses brushed against the outside of a grey stone fountain that cascaded water. The sounds of the streaming water was surprisingly loud and mixed with snatches of conversation which floated through the air and music from the hidden speakers that must be have been placed strategically around the garden before the party.

"So what did you want to talk to me about?" I looked over at Tim. He adjusted his jacket as he sat down next to me, his green eyes meeting mine earnestly.

"Look I know that this might not be the best time for this. But I felt like I had to tell you sooner rather than later," he started and hesitated before adding, "I want you to know that I don't always agree with Jackson's decisions."

I nodded and stayed quiet.

"Jackson's not been acting like himself lately," he continued. I raised an eyebrow at him.

"He's letting his feelings for you cloud his decisions. His impulse is to be territorial when it comes to you and that impulse impacts us all..."

"What are you trying to tell me?" I asked him as a note of suspicion crept into my voice. I didn't know if I could trust him.

Tim took a breath as if speaking was a struggle, "I might be the beta of the pack but I still have to follow his orders. When he commands something I can't go against it. Even know I can feel how I'm going against his wishes and it makes it harder," his voice dropped off.

"You mean that speaking to me now is a struggle?" I asked curiously as I could see how he was straining to carry on the conversation.

"Yes, but I have always liked you," he gave me a warm smile. "Even if speaking to you feel like I'm trying to break a chain weighing me down, I feel like I had to..." his voice dropped off again.

I nodded and looked across the fountain, at the far side of the garden I spotted Jackson, he was cornered by Dessie and I could hear how she was excitedly talking about the party. Jackson kept is gaze fixed on me and Tim. I met his eyes for a second, before turning to Tim and raising my eye brow to form the question my mouth wouldn't say out loud.

"He can't hear us," Tim said. "It's too far away with the noise of the party and the fountain mixed in," he explained.

"Thank you for coming to talk to me," I said in a low voice.

"Look, just because you and Jackson...," Tim's voice dropped off. He continued, "It doesn't mean that you and I shouldn't still be friends."

"That's true," I agreed with a warm smile.

"We don't even have to...," Tim was searching for the right words, "We don't even have to talk about extra curricular activities," he said with a wink.

"Sounds good," I said and got up from the bench. Tim stood up beside me and gave me a hug. His arms wrapped tightly around me and I squeezed him back. It felt good to know that even if Jackson didn't approve of it, Tim was still willing to continue to be friends.

Tim let me out of the embrace and gave me a shy smile, "Anyways, that's what sort of what I had to say."

"Thank you for talking to me about it," I looked at him for a moment, "I'm glad that we are still friends."

I looked back up at Alec, he was leaning against the railing of the balcony looking out of the garden. I gave Tim a quick wave goodbye and headed back towards the stairs.

"Did you hear it all?" I said lowly to Alec as he met me at the top of the stairs. He nodded and pushed back some of my hair which had fallen forward.

"So what do you want to do now?" he asked warmly.

I looked out over the garden and noticed that Jackson's eyes were stilled fixed on me. I felt a shudder dance across my shoulders. Why would he feel so threatened by Tim being my friend and wanting to talk to me?

"Can we just head home?" I asked weakly. Maybe staying at this party wasn't such a good idea? We had gotten a connection to the pack, which is why we came after all.

Alec nodded and held out his arm to me. I linked mine around his and we walked back in to the glamorous ballroom, some students have started dancing and I spotted Jake with three drinks in his hand.

"Sorry," I said as he approached us. "I think we're leaving already." I felt a pang of guilt, abandoning him as we literally just had arrived.

"Don't worry," Jake said softly. I could tell that he understood. "I'll get up to so much more trouble without you holding me back," he said with a wink before turning to two girls next to us and offering up our drinks. A small smile played on Alec's lips as he guided me through the crowd.

The air had started to feel cooler as we waited for the valet guy to fetch the car. I stroked my upper arm starting to feel dumb for not bringing a jacket with me. Alec put his suit jacket across my shoulder, "Well, I guess we have an in with the wolves now."

I nodded, "Indeed we do."

"I'm not sure that I trust him though."

" I guess all we can do know is wait for the news on the photos," I summed up. "And maybe have a popcorn fight when we get home," I smiled.

Alec smirked back at me, "I'm sure I'll be able to find some way to entertain you." He raised his eyebrows and held his hand and the small of my back guiding my towards the door of my car which the valet guy was holding open.