The leader of every pack is the Firstwatcher, the strongest and wisest male or female in the pack. They have final authority over all members of the pack, and they decide the course the pack will migrate, the hunts they go on, other packs to fight, and other duties related to the survival and prosperity of their pack.

Under the Firstwatcher, there are two ranks of near-equal power; the Underwatcher and the Bloodseeker. These are the advisors to the Firstwatcher, and each commands a specific aspect of the life of the pack, as detailed below. In addition, the Bloodseeker is always male, and the Underwatcher is always female. They are selected by the Firstwatcher upon his or her attainment of the position. In addition, the Bloodseeker and Underwatcher are bound to become mates, so as to decrease potential rivalry between their two near-equal positions.

The Bloodseeker is the commander, and strongest member, of the Huntbrothers, the name given to the males of the pack once they reach a certain age and are in good-enough physical condition. The Huntbrothers, and the Bloodseeker especially, are responsible for hunting food for the pack, and are therefore vital to the pack's survival. They also are often sent to scout distant or dangerous lands for the pack, and are the first ones into battle against a rival pack. The Bloodseeker commands these hunts and missions, determines the tactics and targets of the hunts, and the defense of the pack in battle.

The Underwatcher specifically presides over the Watchers, which are the females, young, and elders of the pack, or, essentially, all female and any male who does not fit the condition to become a Huntbrother, being too old, born with a disability, horribly wounded in battle, too young, etc. She is responsible for looking after and managing the well-being of the Watchers, as well as such matters as the storage of food, selection of shelter, caretaking of the young and old, and other responsibilites of the daily life of the tuk'ata pack.

The position of Firstwatcher can only be attained by the Bloodseeker or Underwatcher. If the Firstwatcher dies of old age or suddenly in battle or of desise, the rest of the pack selects who will be their next Firstwatcher. In addition, if the Firstwatcher's rule is being seen as inept or unfit, either the Bloodseeker or Underwatcher can challenge the Firstwatcher for his position. This challenge msut be approved by the opposite position of the challenger (for example, if the Bloodseeker was challenging, the Underwatcher would have to approve it), as well as accepted by the Firstwatcher. Of course, if the Firstwatcher does not accept the challenge, it is seen as cowardly and bring even more doubt into his of her leadership. The challenge is a battle between Firstwatcher and challenger, until one submits to the other or is unable to continue the battle.

In addition, there is a special tuk'ata ceremony worth mentioning: the Blood-Hunt ritual. This is a ceremony by which a tuk'ata undergoes a Blood Hunt with their Chosen companion (usually a Sith.) If the Hunt succeeds, the tuk'ata is bound to their Chosen as a Blood-Hunt Companion. They leave the pack and join their Companion, wherever that may be. Becoming a Blood-Hunt Companion is one of the highest honors in a tuk'ata pack, and the Blood-Hunt tuk'ata, as well as their companions, are treated with great respect by all other tuk'ata, even those from a different pack.