Chapter 171

Astra's POVI sat in front of the vanity mirror. I stared into the mirror and a tired, worn out lady stared back at me. She looked... pitiful, stressed, and like someone who needed urgent self care.I hadn't had the time to take care of myself since the chaos, not even the time to take a soothing bath like I loved it. I sighed heavily.Maybe indulging myself this one time would not be such a bad thing, at least before the war, before every other thing goes wrong. I had limited time though, I was supposed to be seated in my office in 30minutez, there was a lot we hadn't done, a lot we still had to do I preparation for this inevitable war.But first...I stripped off my dress, not having the time to admire my skin or my body, I went straight to the tub, filling it with water-- warm water. I dropped into the bath and for five seconds, I just let the warm water soothe my nerves. Before I jumped in with the soap and lather, gently scrubbing my body and rubbing every part of it, spending a

Chapter 172

Astra's POVThe outer districts were cleared first. Families packed what they could carry. It didn't stop them from reacting. Children cried, old men argued, and women prayed to Selena, the moon Goodness. Carts moved in long, snaking lines toward safer ground, guarded by patrols with drawn weapons.Fear was everywhere.But so was resolve.I walked through the palace halls as it happened, I was putting on my cloak now, the fabric brushing against stone. Servants bowed deeply, I could see the insolent words in their eyes. Some had tears amd other had faith. Some had been bold enough to request that they be sent back, to spend time with their family before their death. I gave them the season off. If the war ended with us victorious, they were welcome to come back, if not they were better off somewhere else.The training yard became the heart of the palace. They guards had been training for days on end. Running on nothing but water, a few bites and their combat training. Of course, everyb

Chapter 173

Astra's POVThe attack began without ceremony. We were one foot ahead so we knew exactly when The dusky brotherhood set foot on the palace grounds.We had guards looking out for us and they moment they set foot we were alerted but I was also cautious. I needed to be sure they didn't set foot into any other places except they palace and so far they didn't. And that was good enough for me.The Dusky Brotherhood set foot on palace land under the cover of pre-dawn mist, thinking darkness would favor them. Thinking secrecy still mattered.We were one step ahead.“They’re inside the outer perimeter,” The message had come swiftly through the bond from the western borders.I closed my eyes for half a heartbeat and let the palace map form in my mind-- paths, choke points, ambush lines Jerome and I had burned into memory over sleepless nights. Every stone had a purpose now.I opened my eyes and stepped forward.The first explosion hit the western outer gate like a fist from the earth itself.Th

Chapter 174

Astra's POVThere was no thought process to how to pivot, how to drive a blade between ribs and twist just enough to end resistance quickly.I just went ahead to do all of that with body muscle memory or rage. I wasn't sure which one drove me now.Blood sprayed warm against my cheek. I did not flinch and I did not pause.I had learned, long ago, that disgust wastes time.The palace was a war zone in layers. Every corner of it was been engaged in battle. the outer yard burned. I could hear clashes ringing out in the inner corridors. Smaller dusky brotherhood had tried to slip in through hidden riutes that should not know about but somehow did, courtesy of their soy network. Luckily, they were met by guards who had trained for exactly this, moments like this.More ambush traps were released. Oil traps flared and those narrow halls turned into killing fields.Still, they came, they pressed.And then--I felt him.It was unmistakable, the air shifted and my chest tightened with recogniti

All Chapters of Dear Mate, You’re Mine!: Chapter 171 - Chapter 174

Chapter 171

Chapter 172

Chapter 173

Chapter 174