A pack is a group of wolves that live together, a bit like a human family. It is formed when a male and female wolf from two different packs leave the packs where they were born, find each other, breed, and produce young. The male and female become the pack leaders or alphas. Usually, but not always, the alphas are the only wolves within the pack to mate from year to year. Their offspring become the subordinates or lower members of the pack. The alphas, being dominant, often lead hunts and are the first to eat when a prey animal is killed.