The song was written by Gomez, Ali Tamposi, Louis Bell, Brian Lee, and its producers Marshmello and Andrew Watt.

"[1] On August 15, 2017, Marshmello wrote that Gomez "sounds absolutely incredible" on the song, when replying to a fan who asked him about the collaboration.

[12] Gomez shared pictures of her wearing a pink version of Marshmello's helmet, another photo shows the two sitting on a couch eating popcorn.

[13][14][15] The song premiered via the radio show Beats 1, the host Zane Lowe named it the day's "World Record".

[16] "Wolves" was written by Selena Gomez, Marshmello, Ali Tamposi, Andrew Watt, Brian Lee, and Louis Bell.

Caitlin Kelley from Billboard noted how Marshmello's influence in the song can be heard through "subtle trap elements, like the triple high hats buzzing beneath the smoky atmosphere.

"[20] "Wolves" opens "dark and gloomy" with Gomez singing over a clean electric guitar as Kat Bein from Billboard commented, the build of the bridge is "almost country-pop, but the choral hook is all Marshmello sweetness.

"[21] In an interview with Zane Lowe for Beats 1, Gomez stated that the lyrics deeply reflect what she was feeling during the period she recorded the track.