The Alpha Wolf study has since been discredited, since it was based entirely on wolves in captivity and generally under some degree of external stress. Observations of wild wolves did not observe similar behavior - specifically, they observed that wolf packs are essentially communal decision making oriented with a loose meritocracy - the lead wolf is whichever one is most capable to take on the initiative for a task, and varies from activity to activity. The idea of the "dominant" wolf always being in charge turns out not to be the case, because it's only relevant when the pack believes it's in danger of a fight, in which case they send the largest wolf forward in interactions. That wolf isn't actually in charge of the pack though - it's literally just the favored fighter.

https://www.businessinsider.com.au/no-such-thing-alpha-male-...