Laughter erupted behind Ash, bright and uncontrollable.
Bai QingQing stared at her with wide eyes. "Did you just… boop a bear?"
One of the other girls snorted. "Big girl's got big balls."
Ash flashed a wicked grin. "Yeah, I do. They're on my chest. E‑cup, baby."
The women burst into louder laughter. Bai, however, turned scarlet. "Your language is very unladylike!"
Ash planted her hands on her hips. "Sweetheart, I'm thirty‑six. I ran out of damns to give somewhere around age twenty‑nine. I don't care if you like me. I don't care if you approve. I am fresh out of flying, floating, or crawling fucks."
Bai gasped dramatically. "Well! I have never heard such language. You are so unladylike and loud. You must be American."
Ash walked over, sat down cross‑legged, and gently but firmly pulled Bai into her lap — not to hurt her, but to stop her pacing tantrum. Bai froze, stunned.
"Listen," Ash said, voice low and steady. "You don't have to like me. But you will speak to me with respect. I just saved your behind by recruiting a bear-man. That earns me at least a little courtesy."
A warning growl rumbled from Parker. Ash snapped her head toward him and unleashed the full force of her "mom glare."
"Parker," she said sharply, "if you don't hush right now, I will sit you down and lecture you for an hour about your life choices. Don't test me."
The leopard-man whimpered and hid behind the bear.
The tall, cool-eyed woman approached and held out her hand. "My name is Liangyu. Nice to meet you. I think you and I will get along. I like your fire."
Ash released Bai and stood, shaking Liangyu's hand. "I just gotta know — how are you so freaking hot?"
Liangyu blushed. "Genetics."
Ash, being Ash, blurted, "Want some more? I've got tongue and fingers."
Liangyu doubled over laughing. "I knew it. You're my kind of woman. But if we're going to survive this place, we need to get serious."
Ash nodded. "Yeah. I know the story. At least the version from my world."
Liangyu's eyes sharpened. "Then you know Bai is a walking red flag magnet. I'm finding my own path."
"Smart," Ash said. "See you around. Say hi to your alpha for me."
Liangyu gave her a strange look, then vanished into the trees.
Ash turned to the remaining two girls. The tantrum-thrower introduced herself as Sandra. The quiet one was Mary. Neither gave Ash good vibes.
She glanced at Bai, who was now being rubbed on by Parker in leopard form, purring like a spoiled housecat.
Ash sighed and looked at her bear. "Alright, big guy. Ready to go?"
He nodded.
She turned to the girls. "Okay. Who's riding with me on the bear, and who's riding with Bai on the leopard?"
Sandra grimaced. "I'll go with you. I hate annoying leopards."
Ash crouched to meet Bai's eyes. "Listen carefully. Until you're eighteen, you're under my protection. That means you respect me, you listen, and you learn. Same goes for you, Mary. I'm not here to boss you around — I'm here to keep you alive."
Mary nodded quickly.
Ash turned to Sandra. "You're eighteen. You make your own choices. But if you cause problems for the younger ones, we're going to have a very serious conversation."
Sandra squeaked and nodded.
Ash exhaled. "Good. Boundaries set. Now let's move."
She climbed onto the bear's back, Sandra behind her. Bai and Mary mounted the leopard. The beastmen, thankfully, stayed in animal form — no surprise nudity this time.
As they started toward Camel Hump Valley, Ash let herself breathe for the first time since waking in this world.
Maybe this place would break her. Maybe it would save her. Maybe she'd finally find herself again.
Either way, adventure was waiting.