unfortunately writing myself into the corner of 'what happens when old traditions meet new modernity, how do you live when the world is moving past you?' IDK THERES NO PERFECT SOLUTION OR ANSWER

sometimes alphas take over other alphas' territory, sometimes it's handed down from an alpha parent to an alpha child. but this system is old, slowly disappearing after humans master ironworking. faes and monsters hate iron, are weak to it and die from it, so city states rise around ironsmithing

alphas defend territories by scent marking and driving away faes and monsters (hence the fantasy part). betas live in villages in alphas' territories for the protectiong, it's not uncommon for them to be primarily made up of the alpha's extended family.

i dont think it has an official name yet, but they did release like a teaser trailer ish? thing! youtu.be/Bqbm8AS4XPE?...

just fleshing out more of the ideas/outline/relationships and let me just say the mc is so much more of a jealous bitch than i originally intended lol