Their Secret (The Thirteenth House, 2): A Slow Burn Spicy Why Choose

Author's Note

Dear Reader,

Did you see the new covers??

Are you excited?! I'm excited. Chapters will update every Monday and Friday starting Friday the 13th of March 2026!!

A few house keeping items before we get started: I made some B.I.G. changes to the first book, Their Warrior. 

Why?

When I started developmentally editing the book back in January, I realized that I needed to get to know the characters on a deeper level. As I did that, I realized there were some pretty big inconsistencies in their behavior on page. Especially with Finley. (and don't get me started with all my repetitive word vomit that I did during the first draft ugh barf)

 As a result, the biggest change is: I removed Finley's bite from Lynn's ahem...IYKYK. If you don't know and you read the later version, move along please. LOL

The reason for this change was this: Finley is in a position of power in a system of slavery and oppression, and I realized in getting to know him that his biggest selling factor is the moral code he lives by. Biting Lynn was out of character for him, and you'll see why more in the second book. It seemed fun at the time, but as I started thinking about him I was like WAIT WAIT WAIT. So I spruced up his character. The key thing is: I made him truer to how I pictured him in my mind. I think you will come to love him more deeply for the moral code he holds on to. And hopefully, even respect him someday for who he is (Even if he is a bit of an ass at the start of the first book).

They don't make morally gray characters in shades of green, do they?? I do not think so. 

Anywayyy, I made a lot of other changes too. Honestly nothing huge to the plot but a lot of changes to character inconsistencies. I feel the new draft of Their Warrior is so much more solid.

And great news: It is updated on Wattpad so you have just enough time to go and read it before Their Secret begins releasing. You can catch up with all the characters and be ready. I hope you have a more solid picture of them once you re-read Their Warrior. 

As for content and trigger warnings. It's all the same from Their Warrior but I'll paste it here too. 

A Note on Worldbuilding: While this story draws inspiration from Ancient Rome, it is a completely standalone fantasy world. I've done extensive research, but readers should not expect historical accuracy or fact-based representations. This is fantasy first—I've taken what inspired me and built something entirely new.

CONTENT WARNINGS

Their Secret is an adult fantasy romance (18+) with mature themes and explicit content. Please review these warnings to decide if this book is right for you. Your comfort matters—there's no shame in setting a book aside.

Violence & Combat
Gladiatorial arena fighting (graphic), battle sequences with injury/death, physical abuse and punishment, torture (off-page references), and child endangerment (minors in combat situations).

Slavery & Power Dynamics
Slavery as central plot element, power imbalances between characters, physical markers of enslavement, lack of agency/forced servitude, and sexual content occurs within slavery context (consent emphasized but power dynamics present).

Sexual Content (Explicit)
Multiple partners (reverse harem/why choose), heat cycle/biological imperative, dominance/submission themes, voyeurism, and consensual rough play. Some scenes include male x male and others male x female. 

Trauma & Mental Health
Childhood trauma and family loss, abandonment and betrayal, survivor's guilt, and PTSD symptoms and triggers.

What This Story Celebrates
Polyamorous relationships as healthy and valid, trauma recovery through love and chosen family, a female protagonist fighting for agency, consent even in complex power dynamics, and found family and healing.

If you're struggling with any themes in this book, please reach out to appropriate support resources. You matter.

Happy reading,
—Mel