From the time when an Alpha takes the  title, any wolf within the pack can challenge him or her for it. This happens most frequently when a young Alpha hasn't established a reputation yet. Quite a few former Betas had become leaders that way. The pack whose territory he's in Alpha had come to power in that manner. He resists the urge to growl when he thinks about his neighbor Alpha and his pack. James expects he'll be hearing from him soon.<br/><br/>He gives  a weak smile. "Have to be strong. My father died recently. I took over leading our group," he says carefully, noting how she had checked over his physical form. He isn't bulky, but is toned in his bipedal form. In wolf form, he's slim, but he makes up for raw power with agility.