A wolf pack is lead by an alpha male and his mate, the alpha female. Alpha status is determined separately by the sexes. In most situations, the alpha male has the final say except for den matters. The alpha female chooses the den and sometimes during breeding season will take lead position. In this situation, the pack brings food first to the alpha female and the alpha pups. The alphas are the only wolves that can mate and receive the first share of any kill. After the alpha family (including their pups) finishes, the rest of the pack feeds. All adult pack members assist in raising, teaching and protecting the pups. The largest packs also have a beta male, who functions as a second in command. Some betas will challenge an aging alpha for the top job.
Within a pack, rank order is determined by "ritualized" combat and posturing. Force of personality determines a pack's alpha male more often than force of claw. Both sexes have independent rankings and most battle are non-violent. However, during either mating or winter seasons, battles can be vicious. The loser is exiled from the pack, becoming a lone wolf.
Wolves like community. It is a rare wolf that remains alone. The outcasts will form a community of their own, including establishing a pack rank order. Without their special advantage, lone wolves often fall prey to larger or quicker predators like bears or mountain lions.
Man is a wolf pack's greatest enemy. As civilization expands, reducing forested environments, wolf packs must range further and further to find food. Other predators, including the much more powerful grizzly bear, are solitary hunters. A wolf pack, using coordinated strikes, periodically chase off bears and mountain lions. Packs guard their den against the grizzly since they will eat wolf pups. Coyotes avoid wolves whenever possible. Ravens follow wolf packs for scraps. A foraging pack will investigate when they see circling ravens. Wolves and dogs usually have aggressive encounters. Since the average wolf is much more powerful than the biggest of dogs, these encounters usually end badly for the dogs.