Gratzi (Don't know if I am spelling this right, but it is thank you anyway) to the following:

Girl With Grey Eyes: I am so appreciative…A bit of good criticism, and you have managed to continue to read through my story! I am so flattered beyond belief!

PirateCrystalRae: Thank you; and I hope to continue to see your reviews.

xFantasyx: Welcome to the circle, and I hope that I can continue to hear from you !

Chapter Three: Taming the Wild Heart Part I

Narcissa and Jack Frost took their places at the council table. Unfortunately, Jack was seated next to Santa and the Sandman, while Narcissa sat next to the Easter Bunny and Cupid. She grimaced, after the Easter Bunny gave her a flattering wink. "Hey there, Pretty Bunny, I hear you are quite the animal. Care to join me in my burrow later this afternoon?" the Easter Bunny whispered in her ear, drawing closer to her.

Narcissa looked shocked for a moment, and the Easter Bunny's remark sent him crashing to the floor. Sandman jumped awake upon hearing the loud crash that resulted from the Easter Bunny being slammed into the floor, and the Toothinator gasped in shock. Cupid hid a very frightened look behind a nervous smile. So much for his pick up line…

Narcissa sent a daring glare to the other single, male council members, daring them to try another similar escapade. None had dared to risk physical pain. Jack Frost made a mental note not to make her mad, and when he would try to get her on a date not to use such crude means. Then again, the snow cone comment could have been taken the wrong way as well…

He turned his thoughts from wooing the impossible, while Mother Nature spoke. "This council was called because, as you know, the Animal Guardian is retiring, and a replacement is needed. I have long since placed this position into council because of the many responsibilities Father Time and I have. We do not have enough time (pardon the pun, good Father) to manage the various animals that are in existence. So it is the Animal Guardian's job to make sure that all animals are provided for and well dispersed throughout the world. That is why I am appointing Narcissa the wolf Shape shifter to the position. She has always fancied animals, and she is incredibly powerful, so I know that she will use her position as protector of the animals with dignity. Welcome!"

Everyone applauded, and Narcissa couldn't help but lift her tough exterior for a smile. She blushed slightly, and turned to mess with her name tag until the applause diminished.

"In other news, I feel that Christmas is off to a great start, right Scott?" Mother Nature asked, and Scott nodded.

Mother Nature continued, "So, do any of the other council members have anything else to discuss?"

The rest of the council drifted into conversation. Scott leaned over to whisper in Jack's ear. "I have noticed the way you glance at Narcissa every minute or so. Is there something particular you want to talk about Jack?"

"No, Santa, not really," He whispered, then continued, "I will say that she is really attractive, and that I would like to see her more often."

Scott nodded, "I felt the same way about Carol when I first saw her. Narcissa-she looks as though her name tells the truth…She looks like she is going to be a tough spirit to break. Be careful Jack, you are going to have the time of your life with her."

"God willing…I like the idea of a challenge!" Jack said to Scott, and smiled.

"Let me know how that goes…Or if you need help," Scott said with a chuckle.

"Hey, I'm Jack Frost…I can summon a blizzard of arctic proportions… I can devastate towns with a huff and a puff of icy breath…Don't you think I can woo a woman almost half my age?" Jack said with a grin and a nudge. Santa chuckled.

"You know what they say Jack- pride commeth before a fall. Don't get cocky. A woman is a totally different entity from an arctic storm."

Jack said nothing more, only looked off into the direction of his new found quarry. Scott's words only made him more determined to have her at his side.

Meanwhile, Narcissa's heightened hearing picked up their conversation, and she snorted. So that was what Jack Frost's intentions were? She definitely wasn't going to make things easier for him; he would suffer long before she would give in to her 'Feelings' and let them overthrow her judgment. She did admit that she was flattered by his interest in her… It would be the first time a member of the male species acknowledged her as a woman worth paying attention to. No doubt she was interested...

After council concluded, she watched as the male councilmen flew from the room like a plague; all except Jack Frost, Santa, and Curtis the head elf, who purposely stayed behind to meet Narcissa. The remaining four met in the middle of the room. She greeted the other three pleasantly and shook their hands with vigor.

"Narcissa, you are a very wonderful woman, and it was nice to have met you. Carol Clause, my wife, will probably want to meet you as well. She needs some more people she can talk with besides the elves," Scott said with a strong handshake.

"Thank you; the pleasure of meeting the man that brings such joy to the little children is a great honor. I am sure I will look forward to meeting your wife, and tell her I would like to talk to her as well," Narcissa said with a lighthearted wink.

Jack cleared his throat, and Narcissa turned to Curtis. "So, let me guess; you are the head elf, right? It must be such an important responsibility that you bear." Curtis blushed, and looked back to his clipboard.

Jack cleared his throat again, and it was then she acknowledged him. "Yes Jack, I know you're there. Yes, I know you are waiting on me. Yes, I am ready to leave."

"Well Santa, Curtis, I guess we will see you later, "Jack said, gently leading Narcissa to the door. Narcissa smiled, and once they were out the door, she glared.

"Jack, that was sort of rude…" Narcissa said, seemingly disappointed.

"Well, I apologize, but the restaurant I want to take you to will only serve lunch at a certain time…" Jack said, grabbing Narcissa's black parka. She snapped into realization.

"Wait one minute; you said that we were going for snow cones! Since when did we upgrade it to lunch?" Narcissa said, cocking one eyebrow in an annoyed fashion. He chuckled.

"I felt awful for our prior encounter, so I want to make up for it. It technically isn't a date, even though I am going to pay the bill. Why are you so concerned? Don't you trust me?" Jack said.

"No, well, yes… I don't know you well enough to trust you yet…Well I do, but that isn't the point…"

"Then what is the point?"

Narcissa did not reply, but took her coat from his hands, and put it on. There was an awkward moment of silence, and then both silently walked out the door. They walked side by side, and the two were joined by Silver. Silver nudged Narcissa and asked, "How did the meeting go? And why do you smell of fear and attraction? Did you meet anyone new that I should know about? I smell the same feelings on Jack Frost as well…"

Narcissa turned beat red, and pulled her hood above her head, "Silver, did you have to bring that up NOW ?!"

Silver cocked her head, and gave her a wolf smile. "So, it IS true! Why are you trying to resist him? Is it because of the event 15 years ago?"

"Silver, you are asking way too many questions. I like him, I just… Well, I don't know why I am so afraid! He is buying me lunch," Narcissa told Silver nonchalantly.

Silver barked, and circled around the couple happily. "Cissa and Jack! Cissa and Jack!"

"I am going to seriously…" Narcissa was interrupted by Jack's laughter.

"Forgive me: I am just curious…What did you say to her? She seems quite pleased at what you said," He said, flashing a charmed grin her way.

"I told her that there was going to be a piece of steak in a bowl waiting for her upon my return. Why did you ask?"

"It didn't sound that way: You growled at her…" Jack said, not sounding convinced.

"Let's just say Silver has a way of getting her snout into things that don't pertain to her… " Narcissa said with a snicker. Silver made a sound of annoyance, and nudged Narcissa hard in the ribs. Narcissa, losing her balance, was thrust into Jack's side, and in surprise, Jack fell into a drift of snow. The result was a flustered Narcissa perched on a deeply embarrassed Jack Frost. For one moment, they were caught in each others' gaze, and for just one moment, she could feel her guard drop…Her face crept closer and closer to Jack's…

Realizing his chance, Jack quickly closed the distance between their lips. She was shocked, but returned his kiss. Their tongues danced, and Jack felt like the inside of his chest was on fire. And it wasn't just a simple little spark; it was growing into an immense inferno. Narcissa felt her heart in her chest, thundering like it always had when she ran with the pack, and she felt the rush of excitement magnifying every second that Jack held her close. Jack traced his icy fingers down her back, and caused Narcissa to shiver slightly.

All of a sudden, Narcissa ripped herself away from him. Jack coughed and gasped from the speed at which she had severed his contact with her. She rolled off him and jumped to her feet.

"I've…I've got to leave…" she said; pale, disoriented, and confused.

"No, no… please…please stay with me," Jack begged, still on the ground, trying to catch his breath.

"No, this has gone too far…I must go…" She said with urgency.

"At least eat at the restaurant with me…" He persisted, scrambling to free himself from the drift. She paused in one moment to think, then turned and ran at breakneck speed in the other direction.

Jack mumbled a curse beneath his breath. He had indeed gone too far, and scared her off. Santa was right-trying to woo her would be like trying to tame a wild spirit. It was either nearly impossible, or slightly maddening. He hoped it was the second option, deep down in his icy body. He brushed his pants off, and ran his fingers through his freeze dried hair. With a sigh, he turned towards the toy factory, and started off to the kitchen. He needed a mint chocolate cocoa with a little alcohol for flavor.

Though he never wanted to taste anything else again… All the rest of that afternoon he spent remembering her taste, that inferno that had lodged itself deep inside of his chest, and the feel of her body close to his. That moment that he kissed her had felt like his triumph over Santa had felt last year; invigorating, awe inspiring, and wonderful all at the same time.

He knew that there must be another- and he hoped it would be soon…