How Does A Dire Werewolf Pack Hierarchy Influence Their Behavior?

I'm a bit of an opposite here. It's easy to portray Dire wolves as savage, uncontrollable beasts. But in the context of a society with a strict hierarchy, how do they survive as creatures so obviously driven by instinct? Would they even be able to sustain a society as they are? I'd much rather read of a complex and sophisticated pack hierarchy, where the Alpha is a calculating strategist and politician who keeps the various factions within the pack's borders in line. There's so much potential for interesting character studies in a game of Thrones-esque pack of wolves.

As for the subservient wolves, they could be secretly running a black-market information network, as long as they are in lower rank. Their behavior could force them to wear masks in front of other pack members, so that they can be the loyal soldier, or obedient omega, while at the same time plotting against their superiors. This duality in their behavior could affect every decision that they make, forcing them to dance through a survival routine of constant subterfuge and danger.

It dictates every single thing that they do, from the perspective that they view others in the room from. It is not possible to adequately understand the behavior of a single dire wolf without knowing their specific rank. An Omega would never approach the mate of an Alpha in certain circumstances, for instance. It creates a low level of tension in all of their interactions and it is a silent code that is adhered to by all members of the pack. The needs of the pack will always come before those of individual members, and this explains a great deal of seemingly cruel or unusual behavior. The hierarchy is not a simple ladder, it is the wall by which they live.

I've noticed something kind of weird in shifter romances lately. So often, authors rely on the Alpha/Beta/Omega dynamic for conflict. And even more often, that pack is depicted as "dire", as if that in itself automatically creates drama. But in reality, the word of an Alpha is absolute law, and therefore cannot create conflict in and of itself. Insta-obedience is boring. Instead, the hierarchy must function as a pressure cooker for the protagonist. In "The Tyrant Alpha's Rejected Mate" the protagonist is forced to be clever because she is below the Alpha and thus cannot simply punch up a level to get what she wants. Instead, her rebellion is subtle and carried out from within the system.

On the other hand, books where the hierarchy feels real (as opposed to an author contriving some sort of storyline), are fabulous. Military organizations or extremely traditional families can be wonderful for this. Growling and submitting is actually quite complex. It is about a lot of different things. Most of all, it is about a profound sense of duty. The weaker pack members have to be protected. And it all stems from a deep, nearly biological drive to maintain the pack and its stability. The internal conflict between following pack law and fulfilling personal desires is beautiful. Most of all, it’s not about who’s strongest. It’s about who is burdened with the most weight to keep all the others alive. My favorite scene to read would be a Beta very gently correcting an errant Alpha (for the pack’s good, of course), risking life and limb to do so. It feels so very real.