The pack came all at once.
For the first few heartbeats, even Kael could not keep the rhythm clean.
The clearing became claws, fur, teeth, moonlight, and noise. Werewolves moved over one another with the violent coordination of creatures that had hunted together for years. One came low for his legs, another high for his throat, a third from behind with claws aimed at the seam between helmet and shoulder. Kael ducked beneath the first swipe, turned his shoulder away from the second, and drove his fist into the ribs of the third hard enough to send it stumbling back. Before he could finish that one, two more entered the opening and forced him to retreat.
He took one down with a short punch to the jaw.
Another with a kick that folded its knee backward.
