The Pack

In a typical wolf pack, there is an Alpha, a Beta, and an Omega. The other wolves rank somewhere in between.

The Alpha wolf is in charge. This is the top dog. This animal must maintain his dominance, often with violence; he must provide an example for the pack, both as a leader, and to protect his position. The Alpha keeps order through discipline and eats first after the hunt.

The Beta wolf is the second in command. As Mr. Spock is to Captain Kirk, so is the Beta to the Alpha. The Beta wolf pays particular attention to weaker members of the pack. The Beta watches after the pups, soothes over bad feelings and otherwise keeps the pack going. Since the Beta isn't the leader, he is freer to take action since he has fewer eyes upon him.

The Omega wolf is at the bottom of the pack chain. The Omega is the wolf that the others pick on. Human culture has a very similar dynamic. There is usually one kid in any school that everyone picks on, one coworker that everyone secretly (or not so secretly) hates and talks about. This position is important to the health of the pack because it gives the others a common point of interest.

The Alpha keeps the pack together through respect, the Beta through love; the Omega through suffering. Groups stick together through common love, hate or both. These three positions in the pack fill those rolls; otherwise the pack would fall apart.