Board Thread:Speculation House/@comment-3146930-20140811221228/@comment-3146930-20140812034606

I don't feel like it was Cinder herself, as Blake mentions leadership changed 5 years ago so Cinder would still be in her teens at that point. It is more likely that during those 5 years, the WF were making things harder for the SDC and as a result, made it harder for Cinder's group to steal Dust. So they moved in, made the WF a generous offer, and as a result their partnership was formed. Blake seems to have no knowledge of this partnership so it may have happened shortly after the train job or maybe the leader and Cinder began talking within the year.

Just as another idea, Cinder could have used Blake's defection as incentive, using the failed mission as a way to convince the leader he needs help; causing a change in policy where those that leave the WF are killed. She offers to give him more advanced weapons in exchange for his aid in her plan as well as the freedom to do as she likes, which may benefit them both in the end.