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Pack Structure

A wild wolf pack in RL is generally made up of a breeding pair and their descendants, occasionally with a litter-mate of the adults as well. It is very rare for an established wolf pack to take in a strange wolf. However, In Pax Wolfana strangers may be taken in at any time, given that they prove themselves to be trustworthy.

Alpha
The alpha wolf or pair have the most social freedom. They decide what they do and when to do it, while the pack usually follows. In wild wolf packs, the alpha pair are usually the only wolves to breed.
In Pax Wolfana, that rule doesn't exist. As the alpha and her mate cannot breed (obviously), any mated pair may breed. The alpha usually has the final say in most important decisions.

Beta
Second-in-command. The beta wolf or pair are in charge when the alpha/s are absent, or when the alpha/s feel that the situation does not need their attention.
In Pax Wolfana, this holds mostly true. When the alpha is taking care of other or more important issues, the beta may be looked to for leadership until the alpha returns.

Elders
The elders are the oldest ans most trusted in the pack. They are usually the wisest and are the main source of advice for the younger wolves. They may or may not be able to fully defend themselves in their age, depending on their genetics, and will usually stay at the den to teach the pups while the parents are away.

Scout/s
In Pax Wolfana, the scout/s job is to keep an eye out for danger as well as the alpha as a group of wolves can cover more ground and gather more information than a lone wolf. The scouts must be swift and reliable.

Hunters
In wild wolf packs, the whole pack hunts together as one, sharing the kills.
In Pax Wolfana, this can be true. However, the specialized hunters (those with exceptional skill in hunting) are given the task of providing for those who can't provide for themselves; namely the injured, the very young or the very old.

Healer/s
In Pax Wolfana, the healer/s are reknowned for their exceptional knowledge in the way of medicines and healing. Their expert knowledge is a key factor to the survival of the pack.

Pups/adolescents
The youngest of the pack are seen as pups until they reach a year or so of age (in human years). Wolves are not fully grown until they reach the age of two, where some will disperse from the pack to find a home of their own and some will stay and possibly rise through the ranks of their home pack.

Omega
The omega wolf is the lowest rank in the pack. Usually treated as a punching bag by the rest of the pack, they absorb the tension and keep the pack stable. While the rest of the pack is absent, the omega usually watches the pups.
In Pax Wolfana, this is mostly true. However, in P.W. the omega is not abused the way those in real life are. Instead, the omega is usually the newest wolf to join the pack or a wolf who has been de-ranked as punishment for their wrong-doing. Every omega has the opportunity to rise through the ranks as much as any other wolf.


Body Language

Wolves communicate not only by sound (such as yipping, growling, and howling), but also by body language. This ranges from subtle signals - such as a slight shift in weight - to the obvious, like rolling on the back as a sign of submission.

Aggressive/dominant
This is shown either as an attack against an intruder on the individual's or pack's territory or as a move to dominate another wolf.
Ears are held erect (or pushed to the side in "airplane ears"), lips puckered and closed or slightly open, eyes wide open, hackles and tail erect, tail held stiffly. The wolf carries its body rigidly, with confidence and a stiff-legged walk, and stares at the object of aggression directly, keeping eye contact. The aggressor may press its chest into the other animal's shoulder or stand up with stiff forelegs braced on the other's shoulder.

Defensive-aggressive
This is displayed by wolves that would rather flee but are prepared to fight if necessary. The wolf is fearful but feels it may be able to hold its own if the threat persists. Elements of threat and submission are combined in their postures, or may visibly alternate as the wolf "waffles" between one option and the other. The wolf may simultaneously grimace in fear and snarl, or alternately growl and whine. The hackles are erect, the back humped, but at the same time the animal crouches submissively, keeps its tail and ears down, and avoids staring directly at its opponent.

Submissive
A crouch and muzzle-lick from one adult wolf to another is an active submission gesture. The submissive animal may whine or paw at the dominant one and will weave in and out in front of the animal's face, licking at its muzzle. The tail is held between the legs or to one side and wagging weakly; the eyes are narrowed and the head turned away, the lips retracted in a submissive grin, or "fear-grimace".
In passive submission, the dominant animal initiates the submission behaviour in the subdominant, often growling or staring to make the subdominant animal lie down, flatten its ears, and roll over on its back, in a purely indefensible position. The dominant animal will often stand over the submissive one and growl at it or bite and mouth it to "remind" it of its position in the social order.

Suspicion
Pulling back of the ears shows a wolf is suspicious. In addition, the wolf narrows its eyes. The tail of a wolf that senses danger points straight out, parallel to the ground.

Relaxation
A relaxed wolf's tail points straight down, and the wolf may rest sphinxlike or on its side. The wolf's tail may also wag. The further down the tail droops, the more relaxed the wolf is.

Playfulness
A playful wolf holds its tail high and wags it. The wolf may frolic and dance around, or bow by placing the front of its body down to the ground, while holding the rear high, sometimes wagged.

Hunting
Hunting wolves trot or lope in a low stance with middle head carriage, a relaxed face, eyes wide and ears erect, tail extended flat rearward and waving gently, concentrating completely on their prey.


Information collected from:
http://www.soappuppy.com/wolf/behaviour.html
http://www.wolfcountry.net/information/WolfPack.html