Chapter One:

Qhuinn lay on top of his bed stressing over the fact that he was destined to spend another night stuck in the damn manse thanks to JM and Xhex's recent sexathon! He was totally not in the mood for this shit. He hated sitting around with all those damned loved-up mated couples, and the thought of having to watch Blay with his dumb-fuck-whore of a cousin was not making matters any easier. At least they weren't mated, thank the Scribe Virgin!

Growling Qhuinn throws his legs off the side of the bed and drags his sorry ass over to the walk-in wardrobe. Changing into a pair of Nike's and black running shorts he heads to the training centre thinking a work out should help clear his mind. And if not at least it's a good way to release some steam.

Coming down the main staircase into the grand foyer Qhuinn bumps into the two males he was trying so fucking hard not to think about. Blay watched his decent with yearning in his eyes, a slight blush staining his cheeks. Fuck he was beautiful. Stupid, but beautiful. Qhuinn thought.

"You not coming to First Meal?" Blay queried eyeing his attire.

Shaking his head Qhuinn tried to walk off, but Blay stopped him by wrapping his big hand around his bicep halting him dead in his tracks.

"What's doing Q?"

"Nothing. I'm just not hungry. I'll be in the gym if anyone needs me."

Ignoring Blay's glare he walks off doing his damned best not to think about how much his life has gone to shit in such a short time. Why did he have to be such a damn fool and mess everything up, especially with Blay? The male didn't do anything wrong. Never had. He didn't deserve Qhuinn's harsh attitude, but he got it anyway.

Pushing his way through the double doors of the training facility Qhuinn marches down the hall to the gym. The image of Blay and Saxton standing at the bottom of the staircase stuck in his head. His cousin was so damn regal in his fine pin-stripped suit and expensive shoes. Hell, the dude was a perfect match for Blay. They looked like a good fucking couple. So why couldn't Qhuinn just get over himself and leave them to it?

Because he was in love with his fucking best friend, that's the why of it.

Feeling every inch the dumbass he was Qhuinn climbed up onto the closest treadmill, popped his headphones into his ears, and put himself through one hell of a workout. It felt great putting his body through it's paces, pushing it until it wanted to give up. Until it did give up. Until his skin was soaked with sweat, and his muscles resembled jello.

An hour later he collapsed over the top of the machine gasping huge amounts of air into his lungs. The burn felt so good, and totally took his mind off everything but the pain. Shuffling next door to the locker room he stripped off and hit the showers. The feel of the warm water on his skin was a new kind of torture, but it felt good. And as a shuddering sigh left his lips Qhuinn's mind brought up images of other things that felt good.

Things he had no right thinking about.

Leaning against the cold tile of the shower he couldn't help but picture a time not so long ago when Blay had been injured and he had played nurse maid. It was the first time they had both let their feelings be known. The first time they had kissed. Damn, the feel of Blay's mouth on his had been like nothing he'd experienced before, or would ever again. Because it was also the first time he had shot his best friend down.

Sighing Qhuinn soaped up his palms and washed the sweat from his skin. As he worked his chest and arms images of Blay once more assaulted him. Shuddering he let his hand make it's way down his water slicked chest and past his hips until it gradually wandered where it shouldn't, wrapping around his hardened flesh.

"Fuck."

Qhuinn's breath left him on a hiss and his back arched as he slowly worked himself, images of his best friends red hair, strong jaw and shappire eyes filling his mind. Letting his head fall back a moan worked it's way up his throat, the sound reverberating off the tiled room forcing him out of his lust filled fantasy.

With a curse Qhuinn released his hard shaft in disgust. Dirty. Lecherous. Bastard. But it felt so good though, the grip that he imagined was Blay's, wished was Blay's.

"What the hell am I doing? Talk about skevvy. Damn it! I really need to get over myself" he growled.

Qhuinn couldn't believe that he had just been standing in a fucking shower masturbating over a guy who was probably upstairs wrapped around another male. A male he wanted to kill with his bare hands. But one who could give Blay everything Qhuinn had refused to. Everything he was afraid to.

Another growl left his throat, his useless bonding scent roaring to life and filling the shower stall. The images of his cousin with his perfect hair, handsome face, and wardrobe that would make any GQ model jealous, burned rage fuelled holes in his head. Fuck, the urge to mess that prick up was overwhelming.

But no matter how strongly he felt about Blay he just couldn't bare the thought of landing him with a defect like himself for a mate. He deserved so much better. Plus, Qhuinn knew he'd had his chance and blew it. It was about time he stopped pining after Blay and left him alone.

Turning off the shower he dried off, changed into a clean pair of sweats and a t-shirt, and headed back to his room. There was a lot of shit he had to work out in his head. He had some serious life changes to make, and starting now things would be different.