Hunted & Knotted By The Wolf

Knotty Fairytales #1

by Imani Jay, Siena Stone

Red’s plan is to drop off treats at her grandmother’s cabin, and maybe catch a glimpse of the Wolf everyone’s warned her about. But she’s about to discover that some legends are dangerously real—and impossibly tempting.

The Wolf doesn’t just want to catch her…he wants to claim her.

One sniff of her scent, and this alpha’s primal instincts roar to life. This curvy girl is his fated mate, his omega, and he’s ready to chase her down, knot her tight, and show her exactly what it means to be caught by the big bad wolf.

Steamy, addictive, and deliciously wicked, HUNTED & KNOTTED is the ultimate dark fairytale retelling.

Genres: Omegaverse, Romance, Smut, Novella, Monsters, Dark Romance, Erotica

60 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 20, 2025

About the author

USA Today Bestselling Author Imani Jay writes sweet and spicy romance with instalove, instalust, and little to no drama. Just curvy queens who get claimed by their hunky alpha males. Whether it’s in the boardroom, the mafia, OmegaVerse, or with a forbidden twist, Imani’s stories deliver high heat and heart. Ready for your next dirty pleasure? Imani’s got you covered!

Reviews

[Cafe Dragon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Basically one long sex scene

I'm obviously not against sex since I picked up a story about knotting...

This wasn't very good though. It was 99% sex that just kept repeating descriptions over and over.

The number of times things 'swelled', I feared the 20+ inch girth...

[Stephanie Rose McEvoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I see you over there, judging me! 👀 I'm a grown woman, and if I wanna read a ridiculous red riding hood retelling that's all smut, then I'm gonna read the crap outta it! and if you happen to see me reading the second book id advise you to mind your own business! 😂

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

We see Nicole’s Goodreads log, and we don’t judge.

This is exactly what the title says it is! Super quick and spicy red riding hood retelling.

[thebeespot72 · Rating 5 out of 5]

The 64-page short novella is a Little Red Riding Hood retelling, and just like the title says, Red, a curvy girl, is indeed hunted and knotted by a wolf. I don’t even know what Omegaverse is—even when explained, it doesn’t make sense. But what does make sense is how hot this short story was. It’s pr!mal, he scents her, there’s br33ding, and they’re fated mates. The wolf is only known as Wolf; he is, well, a wolf, and Red is identified as his “Omega.” I’m going to assume those who understand Omegaverse get that. I really liked this.

[Mariah Greeno · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting retelling

[riley ☠︎︎ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars✨

Got weirdly repetitive in the middle. Like it was literally the exact same thing just over and over again but whatever. Obviously wasn’t here for the plot.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

round after round 😮‍💨 

4 ⭐️’s
5 🌶️’s

this little book jumps in fast and spicy! i have been in a bit of a book slump this year (it’s been a emotional roller coaster) but it’s short, heated novellas like this that just make reading fun and entertaining. Hunted & Knotted By The Wolf is lewd and fast paced and just so much fun!

some notes …

- NOT omegaverse … this is not what i would qualify as OV outside of the titles of Alpha & omega & him having a knot.
- shifting is light in this book & not really a factor.
- it’s funny how he end’s up having a name … but i don’t think we ever learn hers? she’s called Red, omega & little one … but never a true name.
- “Red” was bold and fiery and not afraid to go after what she wanted. often times the FMC is meek and shocked by the ravishing guy accosting her … this read is anything but …
- there’s a lot of repetition and, dare i say, the smut was becoming mundane. at points it felt like i was reading the same scene over.
- very knotty book … the majority of the book is intercourse.
- the other bit wraps up the tale in a pretty little bow (across about 10 lines maybe) … that i kinda found hilarious but also very cute. Overall, a really fun read.

you’ll love this if you’re into

♥️ fantasy retells
♥️ straight smut - minimal plot
♥️ breeding kink
♥️ knotty stuff
♥️  short & spicy
♥️ bold FMC/possessive MMC
♥️ HEA

[jennifer | offmyredcarpet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Omegaverse + Red Riding Hood retelling + erotic romance novella that is just as the title says. Wolf shifter hunts her and knots her. It’s one long spicy scene with some extra moments and under 75 pgs. A quick fun read if you like a chase that ends in knotting and breeding kink.

[Sunnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Red Riding Hood retelling

I gave this a 4 because I did finish it and I love the idea behind it but felt that there was more that could have built on within the story. First part was a little repetitive but the spice was good.

[Genesis · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5⭐️

Was too repetitive but still a fun short smutty read

[Brittany Trynor · Rating 3 out of 5]

a bit repetitive but a quick shifter knotting pure spice sort of a red ridinghood retelling

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super quick, spicy, and to the point read. Really enjoyed it though.

[Jolyn Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very short, very spicy. If you just want some quick smut then this is the book for you.

[Dani]

After 28 pages, I think I read maybe 3 pages worth of new details. It was like the author didnt know how they wanted to word something so they wrote it 10 different ways, then rather than picking one option, decided to keep them all. Seriously. I read about his knot like a dozen times. Nothing new. Same few seconds in the scene just different words. Him claiming her like its a epiphany a few times. Etc. Plus, the dual POV is just repeating the same exact scene from each person's eyes. You dont even get new details from the second retelling. Ugh. 

The beginning was confusing as heck. Hes called "the Wolf" and it eludes to the fact that hes in fact a WOLF, but then they keep referencing the beast inside him. So is he a shifter or a wolf? Once he catches her, same thing. She feels his fur and claws but it still talks about a beast inside. WHAT BEAST?? Hes outside right now... unless its a beast with a beast? But nope... he then turns human. 

Another confusing part is the village talks about him as if hes a myth, a legend, a monster stalking in the shadows. Almost as if its just a way to keep people from stepping off the forest path. Then all of a sudden, the FMC seems to know everything there is to know about this wolf, his anatomy, his kind, just all the knowledge. If its well known what the wolf is like, why talk about him in such an elusive way?

The spicy scene. Omg. No. If he breathed on her she would reach the big O. There's talk of a bond, but its not explained either. 

[addictedtodarkromance · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a Red Riding Hood retelling.

This was a super quick novella → the majority of the book is spice, and I was all there for it!!

Red is curious about the wolf in the woods, so she goes looking for him and we end up with primal play, knotting, breeding and a wonderful HEA! I was pleasantly surprised at the twist and found it did have a bit of a plot to it. It was engaging, fun, very steamy, and I read it all in one go! 
 
 
Overall: 4.5 out of 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Spice/Heat Intensity: 6 out of 5 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🥵
Main Characters: The Wolf & Red
Darkness: 1 out of 5 🖤
Type of book: MF, Fast Burn, Duel 1st Person POV
Reading Order: Standalone Novella
Title: Hunted & Knotted
Epilogue: Yes with a sign up bonus epilogue
Ending Type: HEA
 
 
*Dominant MMC
*Red-Riding Hood Re-telling
*No cheating or sharing
 
 
⚠️ This book has descriptive parts that may be offensive or triggering to some. Please check the TW/CW before reading! 18+
 
*I received an early copy of this book & am voluntarily leaving this review.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book overall, but I did think there was a lot of repetition in how often both Red and Wolf thought of how she'd been claimed and was his now. Like, I absolutely get that this is supposed to be primal and a deep, driving urge and maybe both of them were lost in the moment and what was happening, but there was a lot of how he had claimed her and marked her and was now his.

Did it detract from my overall enjoyment of the book? The repetition took me out of it a little because I kept focusing on how he'd thought this exact same thing two paragraphs before (or the chapter before or the page before, you get the point), but I'm really here for Red getting caught by a big, bad wolf and I was definitely given that. So did it detract? Minimally, I'd say although I did notice it. (and I also get that there are only so many variations on how someone can claim the other is theirs, so take this entire review with a grain of salt.)

Enjoyable and I'll likely see how Cinderella fares so *thumbs up*

-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal

[Sonya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

“A Knotty Twist on Red Riding Hood—Dark, Fast, and Fiery!”

Hunted & Knotted By The Wolf by Imani Jay is a quick, dark, and deliciously primal retelling of Little Red Riding Hood set in an Omegaverse world. If you’re looking for deep world-building or a slow-burn romance, this isn’t it—but if you want an unapologetically steamy novella packed with fated mates, knotting, and alpha/omega dynamics, you’ll love this.
The story wastes no time diving into the chase-and-claim tension between Red and the Wolf. The atmosphere is moody and seductive, and the chemistry is explosive. Red is bold yet vulnerable, and the Wolf is every bit the possessive alpha you’d expect. It’s short, bingeable, and perfect for readers who crave spice with a fairytale twist.
Pros:
✔ Dark fairytale vibe
✔ High spice level
✔ Quick, satisfying read
Bottom Line:
A knotty, spicy fairytale for fans of Omegaverse and wolf-shifter romance. Not for the faint of heart—but if you’re here for the heat, this delivers.

[Antoinette Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, how I LOVED this new take on little red riding hood story! Whose afraid of the big bad wolf? Certainly not Red! Red knew exactly what she wanted when she entered those words. And the naughty/hungry Wolf happily obliged. Whewwweee Chile, this book was 10 stars for me! This is why Imani Jay is one of my favorite authors. She always brings the fire and heat, the raw passion, the unshakable lust, and that no holds barred sensual/sexual intimacy that her characters have for each other in her instalove/OTT books. That is why this book was fire and a definite must-read imo.🔥🔥🔥🔥 Thank you, Imani Jay, for yet another banger.

[Alicia Walton · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did not hate this book. I felt the writing style I just would have loved an actual story. This was one sex scene that lasted the entire book. The author wrote like at the end of the book we should have known who the wolf was when there was no story or build up. I would rate this one star for no story and it is basically a continuous sex scene that only describes multiple orgasms. The author was good with description and her style of writing. There is no world creating or building of characters. I will research the other books but if they all appear to be no story just sex scenes I will move on.

[Rebecca · Rating 2 out of 5]

80 pages and could have been 40

this book started out strong and very interesting giving us that dark red riding Hood retelling. But the middle a good half of the entire book was so repetitive that I had to check multiple times to see if I was just reading the same page over and over again. And then finally at the end it changed up again. I love a good short quick read under 100 pages and I feel like this could’ve been 35 pages and it would’ve been 1 million times better than what it is now.

[Storybook Princess · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was my first time reading a story with 'knotting' and 'omega-verse'. I was always curious and that was pretty cool. I'll be on the lookout for more knotting and omega-verse stories that are full length novels. I just... ugh... I knew better and read anyway... this book just has NO PLOT. Lol, I tried. But, yeah it was a no for me. The issue with smut stories with NO plot is the redundance, the same dialogue over and over again and the sex scenes are a repeat of the same positions and descriptions often times.

[Calenmiriel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Red

There wasn't much of a retelling in this novella, whereas the next two books do. Guess the townsfolk were worried about girls getting impregnated after being attacked by a wolf? Not sure, wasn't much context. I guess the curse made him a truly terrible monster who rage slept with the girls from the town/village. Or did the girls just go missing. Kinda weird for one searching for his true mate in that form. I didn't care for this story. The other two were great. I am sure the next one coming out will be better as well.

[Hera Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lord Knot

Okay, this was an awesome read. But good lord, Wolf had Red in a serious long CHOKEHOLD (knot hold) 😂😂😂😂. Bayyybeeeee, He did not want to let up! AT ALL (but she was loving it 😈😂) Forgot all about poor Grandma 😂😂😂 All the Food is cold and scattered. I love the twist or the reveal in the End of the book. I was actually surprised because I thought he was going to actually stay knotted and not move at all. 😂. Again, Great Story. Bravo Queen🙏🏽❤️

[Daria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don't go into the woods
What a cute Lil bit of a story. Definitely gives you your fairytale revisited vibe.
our girl isn't afraid of no ghost... ok wolf. The whispered rumors only heightened her curiosity. The Beast as watched her through the trees biding his time.
And then she steps off the beaten path into his world. She knows what she's doing and so does he.
Quick to the point with some heat and a lil story. My what big... you have. ☺️ enjoy.

[Ms. Le · Rating 3 out of 5]

Omega Red isn’t afraid of the fearful whispers of a big bad wolf roaming the forest. In fact she wants to be chased and ravaged. She gets what she wants as the alpha wolf takes her over and over. The repetitiveness brought the heat right down. Strange reveal on who the wolf turned out to be. Would have liked more story and plot and the darkness that was promised but turned out quite tame in the end.

[Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Red has to deliver a basket of food and other goodies to her grandmother who lives in the woods - the very same woods where the wolf is known to prowl. What ensues is a game of cat and mouse. It's a good retelling and quick to read. Be prepared for page after page of of endless spice in this very dark, utterly erotic retelling of Little Red Riding Hood. You have been duly warned!.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Bex · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 ⭐
Red Rising inspired smut.

There was zero plot to this book it was all smut, which I have nothing against. However this could have been made even shorter. There was a lot of repetition in the dialogue and events, with the changes in perspective so you read everything twice without any additional thoughts from the other character.

If you're looking for a quick, no need to think read then this certainly ticks that box.

[Rebecca · Rating 1 out of 5]

Yeah, no. This wasn't for me.

Obviously, I knew what I was getting myself into. I mean, it's in the title and normally I'd jump at books like this. But now, it was one long smut scene where all he ever says is: "You're mine." It's literally all he ever says to her. Or he ends his sentences with that. So, I guess she's his haha

I wanted a little more, well, not depth. I get that books like these don't have that but a little more, I guess. I can't really describe it. :')

[Shauntee Denise Whetstone · Rating 3 out of 5]

It moved very fast

Well, it being a short story meant that they got right to the steamy scenes and never slowed down. You didn't catch a breath until the ending of the book. So if you like it fast and to the point. No playing around, this book is definitely for you. From the moment Red and The Wolf cross paths it is on and popping. I didn't realize it was going to be like that before purchasing it. That's my bad.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

100% smut

If you just want a very quick read and to get that hot, spicy and dirty scene you were waiting for in the book you just finished (but it NEVER happened), this is the book for you!
There were a couple of parts that felt repetitive, but it hit all the check boxes I was looking for. Would love to have this as a full, short story. Very interested in the story of Red and Fenrir ❤️