Alpha Werewolf is a leadership position within a Teen Wolf Pack and is a key part of the mythology of MTV's Teen Wolf (TV series).
Originally described as "...the strongest, most powerful and most lethal variety of Werewolf", multiple alphas were shown to have varying strength levels and not all alphas are "lethal".
Status, whether it be alpha, beta or omega, was not shown to have much of an impact on overall strength. Some betas could best alphas in one-on-one confrontations and one omega proved to be just as physically strong as an alpha on at least one occasion (see Omega as both the lone wolf and Derek are able to lift the same piece of heavy equipment).
In fact, the strongest and most deadly werewolf seen on the show was a lone wolf, an Omega Werewolf known as the La Bête du Gévaudan in Season 5.
From the evidence presented on the show, it's clear that much of what is said about the alpha status is related to the reputation of existing alpha werewolves as killers. Once Scott McCall achieved True Alpha status without killing, it became clear that not all werewolves fit with the established reputation.
While not automatically stronger or more deadly, the alpha status does give one slightly different abilities than other werewolf statuses.
- Only an alpha can create a new werewolf with a bite. This method has gone wrong several times and the bitten becomes another type of supernatural creature (See Kanima and Werejaguar).
- A scratch from an Alpha, if it goes deep enough, can sometimes be transformative. (See Kate Argent).
- Alphas have limited mental control over betas they create (Peter was able to call Scott into the woods in Wolf Moon and sent him to kill his friends in Night School).
- Bites, scratches and other wounds inflicted by an Alpha will not heal as quickly as other injuries.
- Alphas can heal the extremely ill with their pain transference ability but they give up part of the "spark" that makes them an alpha. This can result in a loss of alpha status (See Derek's sacrifice for Cora Hale in Alpha Pact)