Falling from a height of nearly 300 feet without being smashed to pieces on the spot was already the best possible outcome.
The werewolves came to a stop in front of a tree that had been snapped in half. They silently gazed at a deep crater more than ten feet across in the distance.
Under the pale moonlight, a sharp claw reached out from inside.
They hurried over and watched as the shortened part slowly grew back.
The lanky werewolf was there too, but he seemed no more concerned about the werewolf leader's survival than the others. His complicated gaze remained fixed on the direction from which the heavy crash had just come.
He sniffed hard, as though he had caught a scent.
"Argh!"
With a howl, another sharp claw emerged from the crater.
The soil was torn apart, revealing the werewolf leader's fierce face.
Blood ran down from the top of his head. His eyes were just as red.
Several werewolves jumped into the crater, but before they could get close, a roar froze them in place.
The werewolf leader spread his claws, sending great clumps of soil flying.
He stood up and roughly slapped away the claw one of the werewolves had reached out toward him.
Clearly, anger had taken over his heart.
His blood-red eyes turned toward the distance, in the direction the lanky werewolf had been staring.
The werewolf leader's nose twitched. He seemed to have caught a scent too.
He bared his teeth, looking especially excited.
"Howwwwl-" He raised his head and howled at the moon, then limped toward that direction.
The werewolves exchanged glances for a moment before following at a distance.
The lanky werewolf lowered his head to stare at his tightly clenched claw and brought up the rear.
The crater