Spring’s Primal Hunt: A Dark Monster Erotic Horror Novella

by M.Q. Rush

I thought I survived the deadly hunt.
Then the real predator showed up.

As a corporate lawyer, I handle hostile takeovers, not folk horror. But when I travel to a creepy town to settle an estate, the locals decide my body is the perfect sacrifice for their annual “Hare Hunt.”

And suddenly, I’m prey for a starving god.

Ludo isn’t just a man. He’s the Springtide King, and he transforms into a monster with muscle, dark fur, and a horrifying unhinged jaw. The town offered him a hare, and he fully intends to collect his seasonal tribute.

I can run, but he’ll hunt me. I can hide, but he’ll find me.

And when I hear what he plans to do with me, I’ll wish I’d never set foot in this town.

Author’s This dark novella is a high-heat fantasy horror romance for mature adults only. Expect a heroine who’s no damsel, a villainous monster MMC, and rough sexual acts with breeding themes. If such material offends you, please don’t buy this book.

If being hunted and claimed sounds like your kind of springtime, click to read now.

58 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 27, 2026

Reviews

[Alexis Robbins · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was... interesting. Not necessarily badly written, definitely weird, but hard a couple of twists and ended differently then expected.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Don't starve me, Nia."~Ludo

This was completely bonkers and intense!😱 A short story that grabs and drags you into a world of dark horror and twisted and morphing, you can't be serious, situations.😖🤯 Nia was a total bad@$$, a smart attorney, who thinks quickly on her feet as she fell into an unnatural hunt where she was the one chosen for the Springtide King. Uhh, Nia never said: I volunteer as tribute.🙋🏽‍♀️ Nooo she did not.🫢😂 Nia was funny and had a great personality. I liked her.

Ludo. Oof!! The starving ravenous Bunny Man was a monster. Don't mistake him for cute and cuddly. Rough. Raw. Hard. Those teeth! Go ahead and run. Ludo will have Nia no matter what!👅☠️😫☠️

There was a plot with some history. Erotic action. Plenty of it.🙊💦🌋🌋🌋💦 It was well written with a ton of freaky. That ending.🩸🫢🩸 I wanted more tbh. You know, screaming and crunching. Panic.💥💥 The book cover is cool looking. If you like erotic horror, then this might be for you. Happy reading.*•>§<•*💚🤎💚🤎

🚩🚩Read the TWs. This is for adults.🚩🚩

🧌🐰👩🏽‍💼Thank you to Ms Rush for an early book. The opinions shared here are my own.👩🏽‍💼🐰🧌

[Summer · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I turn, my movements jerky and uncoordinated, and scramble back toward the driveway. I don’t run—predators chase things that run—but I walk fast, heart pounding." - quote from (Springs Primal Hunt)

This was a very quick read, but it did a great job at scratching a very specific romance trope within the monster romance genre. Being hunted by the feral beast like creature through the woods and claimed in a primal manner, and this book provided exactly that, in the form of "The Hare Hunt." . Overall this was well written, and spicy. If you're looking for a short read, and enjoy monster or Paranormal romances, and the fantasy of being chased through the wild to a hot and heavy finish then you might enjoy this one.

[Vedece Barnes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'll be looking at rabbits in a different light.
Nia is a lawyer, just in the strange town to assess a cabin left to her by her aunt. But the townsfolk have a different idea. She's to be the hare sacrificed for the Spring Hunt.
Ludo is the Spring Hunt King and he must feed the soil.
He chases, she runs. He catches, she anticipates. He takes, she has no choice but to give. He controls, she submits.
Then, it's her turn.
Soon they'll all know. She's not a hare, she's a shark!
I don't know if this was suppose to be funny but Nia is a hoot! she says exactly what's on her mind and never stops thinking or fighting. Loved her!
This review is my opinion and is not AI generated.

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

[Fritz Sands · Rating 5 out of 5]

Utterly bonkers.

Nia is a sharp city lawyer, who has wound up in rural somewhere to appraise a run-down property.

And then she becomes the chosen sacrifice to a nature monster, who is (oh, why not?) a huge human/hare creature.

Claustrophobic primal chase through an underground warren, then catching, claiming, breeding, more and more breeding, and a really great conclusion. Not necessarily great for the townspeople who chose to sacrifice her, but so it goes.

Anyways, really intense chase erotica. Great monster sex. Wonderful conclusion. It was a lot better than I thought it would be.

[Lori B · Rating 5 out of 5]

I saw a rabbit on the cover art, and I knew I had to read the story. It is full of hot whimsy, which makes it wonderful. It is speedy reading. I became transfixed by it. I would never have thought to add this kind of monster to this genre. It brings something new to monster romance. Truly inspired.

I loved the female main character. She is one of the wiliest heroines. I like that the writer gave us one of the smartest female leads. The author is amazing at character creation. Her characters surprise me every time. I never know what they are going to do next.

[Holly Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

M Q Rush has created a horrifyingly sexy spring rite story in Spring's Primal Hunt. Niagara, a shark in the courtroom, arrives in a small town to settle her relative's estate but finds a huge monster instead. The locals prevent her from leaving, calling her the Hare, expecting her to be hunted down by the monster, to feed the soil in exchange for a bountiful harvest. What happens, though, is a hunt which ends in her becoming the monster's mate who provides him with an endless stream of prey, the locals that forced her into the hunt! Very spicy!

[Cassie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very hot, quick-and-dirty monster romance that knows exactly what it is and delivers. The dubcon elements won’t be for everyone, but if that’s your lane, this hits.

Our FMC? A thirsty, take-no-prisoners badass, and honestly, we love that for her. She leans into what she wants, and the energy between her and the MMC is intense right from the start.

There is an ending, but it definitely leaves the door cracked open for more. I’m not convinced we’ll get a second story, but if we do? I’ll be first in line.

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before you read this book, make sure to read the disclaimers. Because it is dark, and the spice is 5 chili! Nia has come to claim her inheritance, but is intercepted by crazy locals who herd her toward the forest. This is where she falls into a tunnel, and she meets the monster Ludo. This is a fantastic escape read, and it has a perfect ending!

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

[Kaitlyn Kirby Kirby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Welp, loved that!

Our FMC is THAT bishhh. She’s a cutthroat lawyer who is strong, smart & witty. She finds her in a small town to evaluate a house left to her from her aunt. Luck would have it shes just in time for Springkings hare hunt 👀
springking/Ludo is our MMC, I found him less monstrous than past MMCs in these standalones mentally but physically he is right on course though 😂

M/F
Lots of primal play
Size difference
Dubcon
Breeding vibes

[Michelle Shamy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went in blind! Didn’t read the TWs out the blurb. Am I sorry? Hell no. This was freaking hot and spicy as hell. That FMC was fierce! She gave Lupo a really great hunt. She’s want about to just rub and play damsel. I loved it! And them getting together? That’s more than chefs kiss. That was the piece des resistance. Or however you say it lol. I have never read this author before, but I’m invested now. Gotta run out and grab another.

[Johanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

'I can run, but he’ll hunt me. I can hide, but he’ll find me.
And when I hear what he plans to do with me, I’ll wish I’d never set foot in this town.'

The characters were dark and obsessive and complex. Plot was intriguing and intense and exciting and well paced. World building was excellent and impressive. Thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend.

Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy!.

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

[Patricia Kieffer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spring Primal Hunt by M.Q. Rush
Nia is heading to her Great Aunt Cleo because she is the next of kin. As she is a lawyer, she is checking out the house and land when she sees a big figure by the tree line. This is a very interesting short story. It is a fast-paced story, and I read it in one night. I recommend this book if you enjoy steaming hot stories with a happy ending. I received this book from Book Funnel for free, and I am leaving a voluntary review. This is my honest opinion.

[Kristen Kull · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent monster/horror short story! I love M.Q.'s books, and this one didn't disappoint. When I saw the book cover I was like, what the heck?? A bunny?? LOL! But it was great! An exciting, monster, horror story with hot sex scenes, chasing scenes, and crazy bunny monster scenes!
MC's were great together, extremely hot chemistry between them.
Wonderful short story!

[Angela L Bollman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I mean who doesn't love a bunny with muscles and with a bit of a murderous streak? Loved the FMC in this. A good horrorish spicy read.

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

[C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very quick read. Steamy.

Wasn't sure what to expect.
But found that I really enjoyed this novella / short story.

There is a thread of humor and a bit of a bite (pun not intended).

Love the cover.

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

[Foodartsbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

This put me in mind of an adult re-telling of Alice and wonderland. This book had me from beginning to end and the ONLY reason I didn’t give it five stars is due to the fact that It just ended.

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

[Lina · Rating 5 out of 5]

The hunt is on and she can't deny herself anymore. Her strong will is gonna change the rules for her to survive and definitely thrive. Quick read but so satisfying.

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

[Amanda Ricchio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nia's plan of hurrying get derailed when a small town sacrifice chases her to Ludo. A thrill if the chase and pushing past limits with an awesomely feral surprise. This hits all boxes in dark romance for sure!

[Stephanie Abelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love a good monster chase!

This was a great monster romance! The town sets her up to be hunted by the monster and it doesn’t turn out like they think it will. This was great! Good suspense and spice.

[Shiane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oof hotness.
This was basically monster p*rn haha. Not ideal to read at work lol. I'm just saying haha.
She was basically used as a sacrifice for a monster. But the monster claimed her and she chose to help him k*ll others.

[Teresa R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pure Sensation
They thought she would just be an offering. Ha. They don’t know what they’ve unleashed in the dark. Because now he has a mate!

[Smutty Demi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this one! Espacially Ludo in his gory form. It was a wonder Nia didnt broke in two pieces!.

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

[Jorja Harrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

spring’s bunny

It’s what you would expect from a primal bunny story. It has a horror bend but over all not scary. No complaints at all.