On the Howstuffworks website, for example, you can read that wolves follow "an incredibly sophisticated group hierarchy ... The pack structure is said to include a "beta wolf" who is the deputy ...

In every pack there’s a male and female wolf that rank higher than the others ... Previously, it was thought that the alpha pair ascended the pack hierarchy through dominance and aggression ...

PORTLAND, Ore.— The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife reported today that a new wolf pack has established itself in the Upper Deschutes wildlife management unit in Klamath and Deschutes counties.