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(Y/n)'s POV
During Pietts examination I have come to learn the pup is a girl. That is something I know I could have figured out on my own, but I was too worried for the poor animal to really pay attention it's gender, "Is she going to be okay?"

Piett nodded as he finished bandaging the paw before gently setting it back down, "Looks like she just got a mild sprain, nothing too serious and it should heal by itself quickly as long as she is careful." He petted the little wolf and it tried licking his fingers in gratitude, "Seems like someone has not yet learned the harsh truths of humans, she is too trusting. She is lucky that it was you who found her Princess and not a hunter — a human or an animal." Piett stood up and grabbed his first-aid bag from the floor after buttoning it closed.

"More like the Princess is lucky that the mother was not around," Anakin said with a scoff as he tilted his head up in my direction. He was still seated on the floor by the wolf's side, "You do realize it would have ripped you apart. There are reasons like this why the forest is not safe for you to go alone."

I understand the risk I took and how scary it might be for him to think about, but I am fine, therefore I do not regret it. Although I do admit I should be more careful and the decision to approach the wolf was reckless, "Then go with me so I am not alone." I said with a shrug of my shoulder.

He opened his mouth to speak, but Piett held his hand up to stop a bickering war from pursuing, "The mother was not there for a reason," He sighed as he dropped his hand down, "Two days ago there was an incident where a wolf got into the stables and...well I did what I had to do to protect Ruby, it was getting into her pen." He admitted with a guilt-filled expression.

What he did to the mother did not have to be said, we knew; a weapon is kept in the stable to protect the horses from incidents such as this. And as I have said before, wolves this close to civilization are rare, they live deep in the forest, deeper than I would ever go. So it is more than likely that the pup belongs to that very wolf.

"Why was I not informed?" Anakin said aloud, anger in his voice at the thought of anything happening to his beloved Ruby. I did not need to be a mind reader to know that was the element behind his sudden hostile mood.

"Because she is fine," His best friend reminded him, "There was no reason to upset you. I am only sharing this now because of the circumstances."

Padme chimed into the conversation next after remaining silent the majority of Pietts visit, "Correct me if I am wrong, but do wolves not have pups in higher numbers than just one?"

Piett nodded, "On average they have about five or six, but they can have as little as one or two but it is not likely—oh."

It clicked for us all.

I instantly turned to Anakin, "There can easily be five pups out there without a mother, and what if they are hurt like this one or they starve. We have to look for them."

He stood up with a sigh as he dusted his hands after touching the floor, "Princess, we are not going into the woods on a wolf hunt, especially since we have no idea where to begin-"

"Wherever this girl was found," Piett gestured towards the closet, "They usually stick by each other." He informed us and even though Anakin stared at him with an irritated glare, Piett looked pleased. He is an animal lover after all and I am sure he wants them found as much as I do — if they exist because like he said, having just one is still possible.

"Please Anakin," I begged as I grabbed his hand and held it in mine while stepping closer. His eyes followed me and I saw the lump on his throat bob as he swallowed after looking at our joint hands, "I promise if we go there and find nothing then I will let it all go and we will come right back here without me putting up a fight." I needed to be quick either way, I have a ball to get ready for, this was just a little more important to me, "Please."

I gazed up into his ocean colored eyes as I waited for an answer, before he finally sighed again and dropped his shoulders in defeat, "Fine," He softly pulled his hand out of my grip, "But we need to hurry before your mother decides to make a visit."

Joy overran my body, "Stay here with her, we will be back soon and if my mother arrives - hide in the closet and try not to let it make any noise." I smiled and I could see the horrified look on his face when I mentioned having to hide from the Queen.

I sometimes forget there are people that actually fear my parents, although I can hardly see why. My mother is the sweetest woman in the kingdom and my father can be tough sometimes, but he is still fair and loved. Padme took notice of his fear and volunteered to stay with him, that way as he hides she can detour my mother to look for me somewhere else while she pretends to put my clothes away.

"Perfect," I grabbed Anakin's hand again and tugged on him to follow me, "Hurry, we do not have a lot of time." I said while I dragged him out of my room and down multiple halls and stairways until we reached the outside of the palace.

"And what exactly do you plan to do with all of these wolves if you find any more?" Anakin pondered as we rushed though the grass and trees.

I shrugged, "I have not thought that far ahead just yet." All I heard was that there may be defenseless animals in need of help, and that was really all I needed to hear, "I am sure we can find someone who will be willing to care for them." Proper care, and perhaps release them back into the wild when they are ready to take care of themselves.

Anakin did not question me on anything further and the rest of our jog was only filled with the sound of his shoes and my bare feet crunching the leaves below — until I stopped where I found the pup and released Anakin's hand.

"I found her right here, she was laying against the tree," I informed him and he placed his hand on the handle of his gun while he gazed around the woods for any predators.

Anakin has both a sword and a gun, but the gun is not something he prefers to use. A sword can not beat a gun, he said to me after I asked why he has it if he does not like it. He only carries it with him for cautionary purposes, in case he comes across an opponent that uses one against him. Which thankfully has never happened in the five years he has been with me.

I took a few steps in the direction I saw the wolf come from and peered around the tree while listening for any cries, but I heard nothing. Both of us searched for well over a few minutes before we regrouped by the tree and I sighed with disappointment, "Sorry for making you come out here for nothing."

He shook his head, "Do not apologize for having a kind heart." He gestured for me to follow him back to the palace, "I am sorry that you are disappointed, but maybe it was only one pup so try not to lose any sleep over it-" He paused in his step and whipped his head to the right.

I noticed his movements from the corner of my eye and stopped as well to turn and face him, "What is it?"

"I-" He took a step in that direction, "I think I heard something."

I looked over in that direction as well and listened, but just as before I did not hear a thing, "Did you want to go look?" I offered. I may not have heard anything, but if he thinks he did then I would trust his judgment.

He narrowed his eyes as he thought, "Mm," He hummed before shaking his head, "No I think it was just a—" He paused again and this time, I heard it too, a similar cry to that of a baby wolf, "Or not," He mumbled and did not hesitate to jog in the direction we heard it come from. I followed close behind him until we came to a stop.

Anakin dropped to his knees in front of a tree where we could still hear the whining and put his ear up to it, "Are they inside the tree?" I asked in slight panic while dropping down next to him. It sounded like there was more than one too.

He nodded, "Yes, I think it is hollow," He removed his ear and inspected the bark, "And if you look here," He pointed to a small opening that was close to the ground and slightly hidden by the roots, "This is big enough for them to crawl into. They most likely were trying to get warm last night and got stuck inside." He sighed as his eyes scanned the area for a way to get them out.

"Move, my arm is small enough to reach in," I nudged him aside and rolled up the sleeve to my long sleeve dress.

Anakin grabbed me by the wrist to stop me before I could reach inside, "And if they bite you?"

"They are puppies," I said like it was the most obvious thing, "They hardly have teeth and it is either I do this or they starve and I have made my choice." I pulled my arm from his loose grip and got closer to the floor while putting my arm in the hole connected to the tree.

After a few seconds, I felt fur and grabbed ahold of what I could and pulled it out. Out from the hole came a grey and white wolf pup that I was holding by the back of the neck. It cried when I set it down, but relaxed after I gently patted its head and down its back.

"You are okay," I cooed. Thankfully it did not look harmed in any way, but it kept popping their lips, meaning it was hungry and looking for their mom for milk.

Not long after I pulled this one out, Anakin made his attempt at sticking his arm down, but he seemed to be struggling more than I was with his arm being a bit larger, "This one is being difficult," He complained as he bit his bottom lip, his facing shifting into one of concentration, "Ow, you little asshole," He pulled his arm out and eyed his red fingers with a scowl.

I chuckled, "Do you want me to get it?" I asked and judging by the single whine I heard, there was only one left inside — meaning three wolves in total. I was over the moon that we found them, especially now knowing that if we kept walking, they would have starved to death in there.

Anakin shook his head and rolled up his sleeve, "No I can get it," He said with determination before trying again for the second time, "Come here you," He moved his arm around for a little bit before he smiled victoriously and pulled out an all black pup. He gripped it by its stomach and held it in front of his face so their eyes could meet for the first time, "You bit me, you little runt." He glared at it, and the pup responded by licking his nose.

"I think he likes you though," I smiled as I stood up with the one I had in my grasp, and I know it's a he, I can tell. And the one I was holding was also a boy.

"The feeling is not mutual," He scoffed as he stood up with me and held the pup gently in his arms. Or at least he was trying to. This one that he had seemed to have the personality of a menace. It was thrashing in his arms and licking at his face and neck while Anakin tried moving his head away to avoid its affectionate attacks. "Stop your breath smells." He scolded it, but it did not calm down the slightest, "Do not do that," He lightly smacked it on its butt after it grabbed the collar of his shirt and pulled on it with a low growl that I took as playful.

Mine on the other hand was resting calmly in my hold, it might even be sleeping.

I giggled while I watched him struggle to keep the pup from jumping out of his arms, "Can we just leave this one behind?" He asked in an annoyed growl.

"No," I said as I stuck my nose in the air, a way of me saying, 'I am in charge', "It will die, do you want it to die?"

He stopped and looked at the pup before looking at me with an expression of pure frustration, "That is a tempting thought at the moment."

My jaw almost hit the floor, "Anakin that is-"

"Princess, it just peed on me."

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I had a lot of fun with this one and I hope you all enjoyed it ❤️
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