Hmm... shifty eyed, fidgety, hefty pauses while speaking... from the vet... and sister...
Caleb's spidey senses were tingling.
"What, so you're related to that little runt that keeps stealing my burgers?" Had to be. This guy was clearly a wolf, so the chances of him being related to the red-headed assistant were next to nil. It would also explain his presence here at the Golden Burger. The dude didn't look like he wanted a burger... more like he wanted a piece of him to take and bury off somewhere in the woods. "Look, no offense man, but you might want to consider getting a leash for that sister of yours. Me, I've got the patience of a saint, but a person with less patience than yours truly might take it upon themselves to do something about that cheekiness."
"Not me," Caleb added quickly, covering himself. "This is in no way a threat. I'm not after any wolves. Not in my current contract. But... well, okay, so this job is shit, I'll admit it, but it IS pay, and if she keeps stealing those burgers, eventually the Doc'll start getting them himself, and I'll lose out on a really good tip. Understand?"
Traditionally, Caleb wasn't the one to play the humble roll. In this industry, it was all about appearances- one had to appear tough and fearless, never backing down. Even acting reckless worked- if you acted like you didn't care if you offended someone, it generally meant you were strong enough so that your average wolf or vamp wouldn't pose much of a threat, even if they were angry. Caleb watched the Discovery Channel once, and figured that being a hunter (or any supernatural creature for that matter) was a lot like being a baboon. The best way to get the other baboons to leave you alone was to blow your cheeks out, wave your butt around, and generally act like you could be the shit out of any other baboon trying to get in your way.
That's the way the dark underworld worked. It was all about who had the better poker face.
Course, that worked only in so many circumstances. There was always the off chance that you would cross someone who would call your bluff, and then you'd be in a pickle.
Having been involved in far too many situations of that very nature (and generally involving sisters or girlfriend- he didn't even touch this one!), Caleb judged it wise to move carefully with Vet boy... Royce. Tuck your tail between your legs and don't get in the brother wolf's way, and live to fight another day.
"Hey, you said you wanted a burger, right? I can get you a discount, if you want. Not much, though. Only %20, but a discount's a discount."
"I'm Caleb, by the way," he added, dipping his head and tipping it to the side to slightly bare his neck in a gesture of peace, hoping Vet Boy would accept it. The alternative was a fight, and he really didn't want to go looking for another job...