In social animals, especially seen in dogs and wolves, the alpha is the individual in the community whom the others follow. It is typically the alpha that is given preference to be the first to eat and the first to breed. In the case of Alpha Gnole Anders he is clearly the leader of his pack as is seen by his ability to summon up other members of his guard (aka his pack) as well as the leader of the Moonfang Pack. As for the name of Anders, the significance is uncertain. One possibility, playing on the significance of the Moon, could be for William Alison Anders who one of the first three persons to have left Earth orbit and traveled to the Moon. There is also a crater on the far side of the moon named in his honor.