Chapter 71

CHRISTOPHER'S POV
As soon as I walked into the living room, words were sent to me that Michael was at the gate again. I was happy to hear that because I have so many questions to ask him and I was certain that he would be more than elated to give me the answers I needed.
"Please open the gate for him and bring him in," I told the young man standing before me and he bowed and left.
"What do you think you are doing?" Louise asked me as she stood up and went to lock the door.
I didn't resist her, all I did was open the door after she walked out angrily because she left the keys behind.
Moments later, after sitting for a while without seeing Micheal or the servant, I walked out to find out what was going on myself.
They were all at the gate seriously having an argument and I was wondering what the problem could be.
So I literally ran to the gate and inquired what was going on.
"He refused to come in, and insisted that I go tell you to come see him here." The young man I had sent to go get Micheal informed me and I calmed them down.
"It's all good. I am here now so you may leave." I told him and he bowed and left.
"Why did you refuse to come in?" I attacked Micheal and he smiled. The kind of mischievous smile that Mr James would give me.
"What's funny?" I was already getting upset but he would not just stop the annoying thing he was doing.
"You talk as though Emily and Louise no longer live here." He replied and I remembered none of the ladies would be pleased to see him.
"That's alright. Why did you come back?" I changed the topic to the main focus and he took a deep breath and all the smile on his face disappeared.
"Why did you decide to take charge of Louise?" He asked me and I wondered what business he had in my affairs. Taking care of Louise was entirely my business and I need no one's opinion about it.
"If that's all you can to tell me, then I think I am done here." I responded and started walking slowly to the gate hoping he would say something but he did not.
I had a lot on my mind and it was literally driving me crazy because I had no one to talk to. He was the only person who shared my pains and cares but he was now dead to me.
"Are you not going to say something?" I screamed, sounding frustrated and of course I was actually frustrated. I didn't get a response from him so I turned back to confirm that he was no longer there but I saw him standing in the same position he was standing when I turned to leave.
"Tell me what I need to know Michael." I begged and he walked closer to me and hugged me.
For goodness sake, I do not want a hug. So I pushed him away and held his hands.
"I miss you, Christopher." He started and tears streamed down my face. Micheal is one person that has literally lived his life for me and I was sad we ended things wrongly.
"I honestly wish you were here. I have a lot and I don't think I can handle it all by myself." I confessed to him and he squeezed my hands tightly.
"You need to get your army ready and if possible, align with one of the packs. You can't do this alone." He said and I became completely broken.
"Come back." I said to him and he opened his mouth in shock.
"Yes Micheal, please come back and work with me. I forgive you." I told Michael and he also began to cry. I held him close and we stayed in each other's arms for a while.
"What about Emily and Louise?" Michael expressed concern about them and I was worried too because they would not want to have him around.
"I will handle them." I said to him as I patted his shoulder.
"Call me after you sort things out with them and I will be here." He replied and I shook my head. With that he walked away and I faced the gate.
As I entered the living room, I met Louise and Emily standing, each with both hands on their waist. I ignored them and walked towards the stairs and they both followed me.
When we got to my room, I sat down and they stood before me.
"What do you want?" I asked them as I laid on the bed.
"What was that all about?" Louise said angrily and I stayed quiet for a while thinking of what to say to them.
"I need the both of you to trust me on this, please." I started and the four eyes that scanned me were beginning to scare me.
"If it is about Micheal, we will not trust you," Emily expressed her displeasure and I decided not to be moved with that. I will still say what I want to say and it doesn't matter if they buy the idea or not. I have made my decision and it is final.
"Hey, I am not asking for your opinion. All I want to do is pass across some information and I will appreciate it if you both would respect my decision.
"Tell us about it." Louise seems to be more understanding than Emily as he sat beside me and wrapped her hands around my waist.
"I have decided to take Micheal back as my beta. I,,,," I announced and before I could complete my statement, Emily jumped in.
"Really? Seriously, Christopher? Tell me, where is this coming from?" She blasted in one breath. She was so angry and I was really surprised because I haven't seen Emily this angry all my life. She is one of the softest persons I know. Hers was so bad that she could barely express her feelings. The only person she was always rude to was Miriam.
"What has come over you, Emily? Why don't you let him finish?" Loiuse scolded her and she began to murmur.
"Like I said," I resumed looking at their faces one after another.
"I have made the decision already." I continued and Louise gave me an awkward look.
"What is the reason behind this decision?" Louise asked and I confirmed she was the only sane person here.
"I need him to help me with the rebels. I feel he has some good information about them." I said and Emily came closer and knelt beside me.
"How sure are you that he has information about the rebels?" She asked and that was the most reasonable thing I have heard from her in a while.
"He has been out there for a while, you know?" I said and they both nodded.
"I think he should be with us and I promise to keep an eye on him." I added and everywhere was calm.
"That's okay." Louise said.
"Would you guys ever give me a chance to do anything?" Emily stated and I was taken aback by her question.
She is the same person who was agitated by the presence of the rebels some hours ago. So I was curious about where her confidence was coming from.
I looked at her but found nothing to say to her. She stood up, sighed and walked away.
"I will talk to her," Louise assured me and went after her.
I took a deep breath and relaxed while I looked for my phone so I could call Micheal but I could not find it.
"Maybe I left it in the living room." I muttered to myself as I moved into the bathroom.
When I was done, I went in search of my phone so I could call Micheal and also tell Louise about my intention to travel to the silver moon pack by next week.
As I got down, I was the elders all seated in the living room.
After exchanging pleasantries, I asked that we move to the conference room but they refused.
"What we came for is very urgent and needs no formality." One of them said and I sat down.
"We heard the rebels have begun their operation in the silver moon pack. We have also received the notice of their presence here." Adams said and I sat quietly waiting for all of them to speak.
"What do you have to say?" The one that spoke first asked me and I looked at the face of the others expecting them to make a contribution but they still said nothing.
"Well, I am aware of the disturbance and I want to assure you that hands are on deck." I stated and stood up to leave.
"How ready is the military?" Adams asked. I have not actually thought of that but I resolved to go after them since he has reminded me.
"I will make sure they are ready." I replied and walked away just to avoid further questions. Then I remembered I still didn't get my phone so I went back to the living room. All the other elders were gone. It was just Adams sitting there, supporting his chin with both hands.
I placidly picked up the phone and moved away immediately.
"You should talk to Mr James." His voice caught up with me and as I turned he was already up on his feet as he prepared to leave.
"I am not ready for a compromise and that is what he wants." I said and he stopped and walked towards me.
"You must!" He ordered.
"I will not." I rebuked him and walked out on him dialling Micheal's number.
"Come home at once." I told him as soon as he picked it up and I headed to my room.
Louise and Emily were already in my room and I was really surprised to see them.
"What is the problem again?" I asked angrily as I entered the room.
"Micheal is an enemy, an enemy to our family." Emily said and I was reminded of everything that led to Michael leaving the house.
"I know, and I learnt one thing." I said and paused waiting for them to ask me what it was and they did.
"You win your enemies by keeping them close." I answered them and I saw a sense of satisfaction on their faces.
"That's alright, have a great night," Louise said as she pulled Emily up and they both left my room together.
I sat on the bed thinking about everything and was so restless. I desperately anticipated Micheal's arrival and that kept me up.
He was taking too long to arrive and I kept calling him several times until he finally told me that he was at the gate.
The gateman refused to open the gate for him as he found it difficult to believe that I asked him to come back. As soon as he informed me of the difficulty he was having with the security men, I rushed to the gate to open it myself for him.
"Sir, he,,," the gateman stammered and I just walked past him to the gate.
"Don't worry," I said as I passed and opened the gate for Micheal by myself.
Micheal walked in with a feeling of pride all over him. I wanted to remind him that he was yet to gain my confidence again but I rather allowed him to wallow in his foolishness.
As we walked inside, I allowed him to drop his luggage in his room and also settle in. As I went into my room to change my clothes, I heard voices coming from his room. I tried to listen to what they were saying but they obviously noticed my presence and stopped talking because the door was partly open.
After changing my clothes, I headed back to the living room, sat down with my legs crossed and started scrolling through my phone.
Minutes later, Micheal joined me in the living room.
"Let's go to my office." I suggested and he agreed. On our way, I grabbed a bottle of wine and two glasses and took it along.
He walked into the officer before me and sat down.
I dropped the drink and glasses on the table before sitting down and he held his hands together.
"Please open the drink." I told him and he got at it while I took my seat.
When he was done opening the drink, I took it and poured some into my glass. He did the same and we took a toast before drinking.
"I heard voices in your room, who was that?" I asked him and he started coughing.
When he finished coughing, I repeated the question.
"I think I was on a call." He responded and I was certain he wasn't telling me the truth but I decided not to press on him.
"Or maybe, it was when Louise came to warn me to be careful." He added after a long silence.
"That is it. I am sure I heard two voices." J responded and continued sipping my drink quietly.
He looked at me for a long time and I was convinced he wanted to say something but he couldn't utter a word.
"How is Emily?" He finally said but I am sure that is not what he wanted to say.
"Emily is disappointed and frustrated. She was so much in love with you that you made her take the most difficult decision she has ever taken. She hasn't been the same since you left." I exaggerated the whole story to my taste and he became sober.
"I'm sorry Christopher. Someone put me to this but I can't say who, not until all this drama is all over." He responded and I wasn't even interested in knowing who it was.
"That's not a problem. I'm glad you are back but I am afraid you might never get Emily back." I told him how much I valued his presence and he smiled.
"I know she would not forgive me. I hope I forgive myself too." He dropped his empty glass and covered his face with his hands.
"I know it's going to be difficult but I will still advise you give it a try." I suggested as I helped him fill his glass again and he picked it up immediately.
"I would not even start it," he said after taking a sip.
"Adams advised me to meet Mr James." I told him about my conversation with the oldest member of the council of elders.
"And what was your response?" He asked quickly and I took a little pause before telling him that I said no.
"Mr James is one of the rebels. I am not so sure but he might be their chosen leader." Micheal said and I was surprised at the amount of information at his disposal.
"How do you know?" I asked him but he didn't give me an answer.
"So what do we do?" I asked again and he smiled.
"We will take each step as it comes. But for now we need to draw out a plan." He said and I opened the drawer and brought out a plain sheet and a pen.
Michael and I spent the whole night making plans and strategizing on how we can get at the rebels without having much casualties. Neither of us blinked an eye until morning.