The campaign office was the last place that Oliver wanted to be. He had too many strings with too many loose ends and no solutions in sight. He was frustrated and, if he were honest, feeling a little thin. He had so many aspects of his life that he had to work to hide. Too many secrets to too many people. Not a single one of his friends knew the whole story. They know enough bits and pieces that kept them from asking him more questions but no one knew the real Oliver Queen. He was happy to be home, to be back among friends and family...to put his 'unique' talents to use to create something good.

But was it?

Could something that was born of death, pain and darkness turn into something truly good? It was a question he has been struggling with since he had come back. He still wasn't close to having an answer. All he could do was wait and see...and hope.

Oliver sighed and push the dark thoughts away for now. He glanced down at the blank note cards in front of him on the desk. He had to give a speech at the Bay restoration and he couldn't stay focused enough to write it. He sat back in his seat and reaching into the inside pocket of his suit jacket. He pulled out his phone and scrolled through the gallery of pictures until he come to the one he was looking for.

The paw and claw marks. The photo was of good quality but it still didn't capture the full impact of the warning. His eyes roamed over the photo, trying to see if there was some detail, however small, that he might have missed. Was it a true warning? Or was it a trap? There were subtle differences from the ones used on the islands. The claws were thicker and the paw print was larger, blood was used instead of mud. The size difference could be explained. The wolf he first met was a cub, no more then 6 or 7 months old. Still gangly and growing. The problem was...he was under the impression that the wolf had been destroyed. The last time he had come back to A.R.G.U.S, before he was allowed to go home, he had returned to free the wolf. Amanda had informed him that the wolf had been deemed a failed experiment and too dangerous to allow to remain active. She had been disposed of.

He had never wanted to kill someone more then at that moment. That wolf had been created through no fault of her own, had been turned into a killer against her will and when she turned on her abusive 'handlers' they threw her life away. They had said she was a failed experiment. He had discovered on that island that they had succeeded far more then they realized. She was capable of understanding and communication on level with humans. She was far smarter and far more capable of thinking and rationalizing then your average canine. All they knew was that they had created a creature that could take an exurban amount of damage before she was slowed. She was quick, she was silent...and she was deadly. But they couldn't control her..so they had killed her.

And now, if the warning was of any indication, she had come to Star City.

"Hey," Thea leaned against the doorframe, watching her brother, "Have you even eaten yet?" She crossed her arms as she stepped into the room, giving her brother a light smile. She could read the trouble in his eyes but just like with everyone else, he wouldn't let her in.

"No." Even his voice was tired. "I don't have time." He tucked his phone back into his pocket.

"Ollie, you need to eat..." She sighed. "You are no good to anyone if you are running on no sleep and little food." He was about to protest, she knew, but she held up her hand. "Ollie...go eat." She put some force behind the command. "We will be fine for an hour while you take a break."

Oliver sighed, his eyes going from the empty note cards to the chaotic call center they had created beyond his office doors. He had to admit, it would be nice to have some peace and quiet for a little bit. Sometime he missed the quiet nights of the island ..well, when he wasn't fight for his life. "Ok. I'll go grab a bite but Speedy.." he rose and rested a hand on his sister's arm. "If you need me ..call."

Thea nodded lightly and gave him a small smile. "Don't worry, I'll call if the paperwork comes to life and tries to eat me."

Oliver chuckled as he kissed Thea on the top of the head. He was still smile as he walked out the door.

# # # # # #

Oliver stepped away from the door, pulling the collar of his jacket up around his neck to help with the chill. The quiet and peace of the Sushi restaurant was exactly what he had needed to feel at least some of his tension and stress fall away. Feeling more relaxed, he walked back towards building that housed his campaign office. Even with the cooler temperature, the streets were fairly crowded. People milled about, talking about Holiday plans for the coming week and getting some last minute shopping done. Many people greeted him as he passed, others stopped him to shake his hand and pledge their support. He would offer a smile and a soft, polite Thank you and then move on. He was talking to one such person when the hairs on the back of his neck started to stand. He felt like he was being watched and the sudden feeling unsettled him. He muttered a quick Thank you and stepped away from the woman. His smile faded as he scanned the crowd, trying to pinpoint the feeling of his unease. His instincts have saved his life many times and he wasn't going to ignore it now. Seeing nothing, he shoved his hands into his pockets and moved through the throngs of people, trying to distance himself from the crowd. With everything going on, he wouldn't put it past Darhk to take out innocent people to get to him.

As Oliver stepped into one of the side roads, the feeling intensified. Movement off to his right caught his attention. A large black Wolf watched him from the shadows. She stood at the edge of a shadowed alley way, so still that she could have just been an illusion of light and shadow. As if waiting until he noticed her, she slowly turned around and walked deeper into the shadows.

Oliver crept slowly closer, his eyes scanning the surrounding area and rooftops. It was Nikita, he was sure of that. The question was whether it was a trap or another warning. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small silver letter opener from his pocket. He made sure that he had brought it along with him before he had left for lunch. The warning had been to make sure he was prepared. It wasn't his arrows but against Nikita, if he had read the warning correctly, it would work just as well.

He turned the corner and stopped at the edge of the mouth. The shadows inside of the small space were thick and almost impenetrable. Unnatural. It almost seemed alive as it moved slowly, lazily, billowing towards him. He ignored the rolling shadows, instead bringing his eyes up to the roof above the alley. He threw himself to the side, barely avoiding the wolf's attack as she jumped from the roof. In an instant he was back to his feet, twisting to face her as he kicked out his foot. The loafers connected with the wolf's head. The solid hit made her stagger back for a second, shaking her head. Nikita lowered her head and silently snarled at him.

"Come on, Nikki.." He dodged another attack by flinging himself to the right and flipping up on top of the industrial metal dumpster. "...You know me." The wolf easily leapt up after him. He threw an arm up to protect his face, unwilling to use the letter opener unless he really had to. "This ISN'T you!" He grunted in pain as her teeth snapped down on his arm, razor sharp teeth easily shredding the fabric of the jacket and the flesh beneath. He could feel the crushing pressure of her bite. If he didn't get her to drop her hold, she could easily snap the bones in his arm. "I'm sorry.." He whispered as he slammed the handle of the letter opener down on the side of her muzzle. He could hear the sizzle as the metal came into contact with the wolf's skin. The sudden flair of pain caused the wolf's grip to loosen. Oliver jerked his arm from her grip, the razor teeth slicing deeper through his arm as he does so. He jumps off the dumpster and turns.

The wolf was gone. No, not gone...he could still feel her watching him. He twisted around as the wolf appeared behind him, having expected the attack. As he stepped to the side, he brings this foot up and slams it into the wolf's side. He followed with a swift punch to the side of the wolf's head, the handle of the letter opener once more connecting with her muzzle.

Nikita shook off the pain faster this time. She dove for his leg, snapping at his ankle in an effort to shred his achilleas tendon. Before she could connect, a sudden piercing screech sliced through her head, causing her to fall short, shaking her head to clear the pain. Her attention was too focused on clearing her head of the pain. She didn't hear the arrows until it was too late.

Three red arrows peppered her side. The strength of the compact bow driving them deep. One of the arrows slammed into her shoulder, burying deep and causing her to loose the use of her front left leg.

"SPEEDY NO!" Oliver dove in front of the wolf with his hands up, blocking her with his body.

"Are you crazy, get out of the WAY!."

"No." He glanced over his shoulder. The wolf stood, her back against the wall of the alleyway. Her head was down, watching them. Oliver could tell by the way her sides were heaving that she was in pain. He turned back to his sister and Laurel. "I'm not going to let you kill her."

Thea looked at her brother like he was crazy. "That animal tried to kill you!" She still didn't relax the bow.

"No..She didn't" He looked back once more at the wolf as he said this. The wolf dipped her head slightly, her odd green eyes closing for a second.